Can a Hearing Test Cause Damage?

[3ri0w]

Can it damage the ear when they look into the ear? They blow some air into it right?

 

[CDNThailand]

Be careful about the tunning fork, looks harmless, but super loud…audiologist tried to do it to me on my bad ear...I almost slapped it out of his hand, a total idiot, I felt like punching him.....

 

[volsung37]

Audiogram is safe enough. However they may also want to test pressure in your ears. This caused problems for me bringing on myoclonus or thumping in the ear. This lasted for months. I will not let them do that again.
ENT may suggest ear suction to clear wax. Don't let them do that in your good ear (if you have one).

 

[Samir]

However they may also want to test pressure in your ears.

What kind of test is this? What's it called?

ENT may suggest ear suction to clear wax

How does this work? What exactly do they do?

 

[Rubenslash]

How does this work? What exactly do they do?

Wouldn't recommend it, it spiked my T for a day as it's pretty loud, never again. Problem is that they can't remove ear wax near the ear drum manually as the ENT might damage the ear drum.

 

[volsung37]

What kind of test is this? What's it called?


How does this work? What exactly do they do?

They place a suction instrument in your ear which has a camera attached as in Rubenslash's video. They then suction out any wax they see. It is very loud but not particularly uncomfortable. It gives the ENT a chance to see if there is anything wrong with the eardrum. Unfortunately it can set off symptoms of TTTs in some people. I was one. This manifests as a thumping noise caused by the little bones behind the eardrums. It is very irritating and can prevent sleep. It lasted many months with me before calming down. For some people with a lot of wax build up it may be useful but if you just have normal amounts of earwax I would not recommend it.

 

[volsung37]

What kind of test is this? What's it called?


How does this work? What exactly do they do?

The other test is called a tympanogram. This tests pressure in the inner ear. Full details are given here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanometry
Again this can upset the delicate balance in the ear and cause spasms and inner ear twitches. However it may also detect pressure imbalances in the inner ear caused by fluid from infection.

 

[Alue]

The other test is called a tympanogram. This tests pressure in the inner ear. Full details are given here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanometry
Again this can upset the delicate balance in the ear and cause spasms and inner ear twitches. However it may also detect pressure imbalances in the inner ear caused by fluid from infection.

I don't see how a tympanogram could cause hearing damage.

 

[volsung37]

I don't see how a tympanogram could cause hearing damage.

I'm not saying the test can cause hearing damage. It can upset the delicate workings of the ear and cause symptoms of TTTS. I have personal experience of this.

 

[PaulBe]

I'm not saying the test can cause hearing damage. It can upset the delicate workings of the ear and cause symptoms of TTTS. I have personal experience of this.

I think that a hearing injury re-arranges and deranges the normal thresholds for muscle activity hence things like TTTS. Its not damage as such like a busted nerve/hair cell but it is an issue in its own right.

 

[CDNThailand]

It's your decision as to which tests are *absolutely necessary* for you.

I'll add one other comment: Medical personnel are *very experienced in coaxing patients* to complete uncomfortable or painful tests--and in downplaying dangers. This was also a factor in the experiences I mentioned above.

They coax you because they charge by the test, the more the merrier for their profit, pure evil this industry.....

 

[ashgas]

I had problems with hearing but no tinnitus. I had 3 hearing tests done and now I have tinnitus!

 

[emmalee]

I say not to use headphones and play music through them. The hearing test is just a series of bleeps this isn't going to cause any harm whatsoever believe me....

My first hearing test, ever, is coming up in May. I believe you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

My first hearing test, ever, is coming up in May. I believe you.

HI @emmalee

You will be just fine. Try not to let negative thinking people make you think otherwise.

All the best
Michael

 

[emmalee]

HI @emmalee

You will be just fine. Try not to let negative thinking people make you think otherwise.

All the best
Michael

Thank-you, @Michael Leigh.

 

[GregCA]

I had problems with hearing but no tinnitus. I had 3 hearing tests done and now I have tinnitus!

 

[dingaling]

I know I'm late to the party but a screening BAR (called ABR here in the UK) administered at around 70dB can give an instant, gross indication of auditory nerve function.

Another test, largely fallen out of favour is the Carhart tone decay test where a tone is presented 10dB above threshold continuously; the patient is instructed to press the button, and keep it depressed for as long as he hears it, or 1 whole minute - whichever is the soonest.

 

[Pero1234]

My test coming up next wednesday. Thanks for the heads up on that fork thing and BAR tests!

 

[Contrast]

After I was given an audiogram I noticed a spike in my tinnitus for a full day.

Pretty much the same thing that happens while I use headphones

 

[victoria9273]

it depends on what kind of test it is.. Normal hearing tests are absolutely fine because it is to know how far you can recognise sounds that's barely audible.