Pure-tone audiometry is conducted in a soundproof booth where sounds will only be heard through earphones, speakers, or a headset “vibrator” placed behind the ear.

A pure-tone air conduction hearing test is given to find out the faintest tones an individual can hear at various frequencies (250 to 8000 Hz) from low to high.  During this test, earphones are worn and the individual taking the test is instructed to raise his hand or push a button when a sound is heard.

A pure-tone bone conduction hearing test is also given in the same manner.  However, a small vibrator placed behind the ear is used rather than earphones.  This method is used to measure the function of the inner ear as compared to air conduction which measures the function of the outer and middle ear.

Air conduction test results indicate whether a hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural.  Bone conduction test results only indicate sensorineural hearing loss.

Children are given a more play-like activity to indicate a response to sound.  This is known as Conditioned Play Audiometry.  While wearing the earphones, the child may be instructed to drop a block in a bucket, or stack pegs in response to hearing a sound.

Infants and toddlers are tested through Visual Reinforcement Audiometry.  Sounds are emitted though two speakers and the child is rewarded for correctly locating the sound by getting to watch an animated toy light up and dance.

Speech audiometry includes determining speech reception threshold (SRT) and word recognition.  SRT determines the faintest level at which an individual can hear and correctly repeat two-syllable words (i.e. ice-cream, hotdog).  A SRT is determined for each ear.

Tests of word recognition evaluate how well an individual can distinguish words at a comfortable loudness level.  A percentage of words correctly repeated is recorded for each ear.