Routine tests

Audiologists help people with hearing problems by testing their hearing and providing hearing aids if needed. They also help with balance issues and related conditions. Learn when to get your hearing checked and what it entails.

When should I go for a hearing test?

Audiologists in South Africa follow the World Health Organization’s recommendations for hearing tests, says Chantelle van der Merwe, an audiologist working at Mediclinic Milnerton, Mediclinic Panorama, and Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt.

“It’s recommended that newborns have a hearing screening within their first six weeks. This is ideally followed by a second test at age one and a third during Grade R/pre-school,” she says. “Of course, if a child has a lot of ear infections or complains of painful ears, their hearing must be assessed immediately, regardless of their age.”

The guidelines advise adults with a family history of hearing loss to have regular hearing tests. Starting at age 50, everyone should have regular hearing check-ups, even if they don’t have a family history of hearing loss.

“Adults should also see an audiologist for a hearing test urgently if they have symptoms such as sudden ear pain, sudden changes in hearing, a blocked feeling in the ears, or even dizziness,” says Van Der Merwe.

What happens at my appointment?

A standard hearing test takes about 30 minutes, is painless, and doesn’t need a referral from a doctor. It starts with the audiologist asking about your ear and hearing history. Then, they examine your outer ear and eardrum using an otoscope, a tool with a light and magnifying glass. This helps check for earwax, blockages, or issues with the eardrum.

Next, the audiologist tests the general health of your ear. This includes a pressure or tympanometry test, which shows how your eardrum moves in response to air pressure changes as well as if there is any fluid in the middle ear.

You’re then asked to sit in a soundproof booth and put on headphones. The audiologist plays different tones, and you respond when you hear them. This is followed by a speech test to check how well you can hear and understand speech at different volume levels.

For very young babies, hearing is tested using a method called otoacoustic emission testing. A small probe is placed in the ear to measure how the cochlea (inner ear) responds to different sounds.

For older children who can't speak yet, hearing is tested in a soundproof booth using visual response audiometry. This allows the audiologist to observe how they react to sounds.

“The earlier hearing loss is detected and a child is fitted with a hearing aid, the better it is for their general development, as well as for their speech and language development,” says Van der Merwe.

What the tests can detect

Immediately after the tests are complete, the audiologist will discuss the results with you.

If there’s something blocking your ear, like wax or a foreign object, the audiologist might remove it. Otherwise, they’ll refer you to a GP or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Any ear problems, like infections, inflammation, or fluid build-up, will also be referred to a GP or ENT specialist. It’s important to treat ear infections quickly because, in severe cases, they can cause permanent hearing loss or serious infections in the bones or brain.

“If the audiologist has determined there is hearing loss in one or both ears due to damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, they will immediately discuss the option of hearing aids and what is suitable for the patient’s hearing loss,” says Van Der Merwe.

Patients with severe to profound hearing loss may be suitable candidates for a cochlear implant. In this case, they will be referred to a cochlear implant team.  

To find an audiologist near you, go to www.mediclinic.co.za