The tones are repeated. The good ear will then be covered with a headphone, background masking noise played, and the test resumed. To test your ability to discern speech, you will put on the earphones again and listen to and repeat 25 common words. After the test You are free to leave and resume normal activities. Factors affecting results Ambient sound when the test is not performed in a soundproof room, as is common in screening tests.
High frequencies correspond to high tones, and low frequencies to low tones.
The failure to pick out any tone of 20 dB or louder indicates a degree of hearing loss. It's quick, painless, and accurate. The next step If responses are normal, no additional testing or treatment is needed. Published under license from Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.