PTA Hearing Test - What to Expect & How to Prepare

If you suspect you have hearing loss, the first step is getting a proper hearing test. The most common and reliable hearing assessment is called PTA - Pure Tone Audiometry. Whether your doctor has referred you for a PTA test or you are booking one yourself, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about what to expect, how to prepare, and how to understand your results.

What is PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry)?

Pure Tone Audiometry is the gold standard hearing test used worldwide by audiologists and ENT specialists. It measures your ability to hear sounds at different frequencies (pitches) and volumes (loudness). The test determines:

• The softest sounds you can hear at each frequency
• Whether you have hearing loss in one or both ears
• The type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed)
• The degree of hearing loss (mild, moderate, severe, or profound)

The results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram, which becomes the foundation for any hearing aid fitting.

How Does the PTA Test Work?

The PTA test is simple, painless, and non-invasive. Here is what happens step by step:

Step 1: Ear Examination

Before the test, the audiologist will look inside your ears using an otoscope. This checks for earwax buildup, infections, or any physical abnormalities that might affect the test results.

Step 2: Headphone Placement

You will be seated in a quiet room or sound booth. The audiologist will place headphones over your ears (or insert small foam earphones into your ear canals). Each ear is tested separately.

Step 3: Listening for Tones

The audiologist plays a series of pure tones through the headphones. These tones vary in:

• Frequency: From low pitch (250 Hz) to high pitch (8000 Hz)
• Volume: Starting loud and getting progressively softer

Your job is simple: press a button or raise your hand every time you hear a tone, no matter how faint it is.

Step 4: Bone Conduction Testing

A small vibrating device is placed behind your ear on the bone (mastoid bone). This sends sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Comparing these results with the headphone results tells the audiologist whether your hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.

Step 5: Results Recording

The audiologist records the softest sound you can hear at each frequency for both ears. These thresholds are plotted on the audiogram.

Understanding Your Audiogram

The audiogram is a graph that shows your hearing ability. Understanding it helps you make informed decisions about treatment.

Reading the Audiogram

• Horizontal axis (left to right): Frequency in Hertz (Hz) - from low pitch (250 Hz) on the left to high pitch (8000 Hz) on the right
• Vertical axis (top to bottom): Volume in decibels (dB) - from soft sounds at the top (-10 dB) to loud sounds at the bottom (120 dB)
• Red circles (O): Right ear results
• Blue crosses (X): Left ear results

The lower the marks fall on the graph, the greater the hearing loss at that frequency.

Degrees of Hearing Loss

Based on your PTA results, hearing loss is classified as:

• Normal hearing (0-25 dB): No hearing aid needed
• Mild hearing loss (26-40 dB): Difficulty hearing soft speech, whispers. A hearing aid may help in certain situations.
• Moderate hearing loss (41-55 dB): Difficulty following normal conversations, especially in noise. Hearing aids are strongly recommended.
• Moderately severe (56-70 dB): Difficulty hearing most speech without amplification. Hearing aids are essential.
• Severe hearing loss (71-90 dB): Cannot hear normal speech. Powerful hearing aids required.
• Profound hearing loss (91+ dB): Cannot hear most sounds. Super-power hearing aids or cochlear implants may be needed.

How PTA Results Guide Hearing Aid Selection

Your audiogram is essentially a prescription for your hearing aid. Here is how results influence the choice:

Mild to Moderate Loss

• Best suited for RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) or CIC (Completely-in-Canal) hearing aids
• Smaller, more discreet devices work well
• Open-fit designs preserve natural sound quality

Moderate to Severe Loss

• BTE (Behind-the-Ear) hearing aids provide the power needed
• RIC models with power receivers are also suitable
• Custom ear molds ensure proper sound delivery

Severe to Profound Loss

• Super-power BTE hearing aids are required
• Models like the Signia Motion series are ideal
• Custom ear molds are mandatory for proper fitting

How to Prepare for Your PTA Test

To ensure accurate results, follow these preparation tips:

1. Avoid loud noise exposure for at least 24 hours before the test. This includes loud music, construction work, or heavy traffic exposure.
2. Get your ears cleaned if you have excessive earwax. Wax buildup can temporarily reduce hearing and give inaccurate results.
3. Rest well the night before. Fatigue can affect your concentration during the test.
4. Bring a list of medications you are currently taking. Some medications can affect hearing.
5. Note your symptoms: Write down when you first noticed hearing difficulty, which ear is worse, and any other symptoms like ringing (tinnitus) or dizziness.
6. Bring a family member: They can provide valuable observations about your hearing difficulties that you might not notice yourself.

How Often Should You Get a PTA Test?

• Adults over 50: Every 1-2 years, even without symptoms
• Adults with known hearing loss: Annually to track changes
• Hearing aid users: Every 12 months to ensure your hearing aids are properly programmed
• Children: As recommended by their ENT specialist or pediatrician
• People exposed to loud noise at work: Annual screening

Where to Get a PTA Test in Pakistan

PTA hearing tests are available at:

• ENT specialist clinics in major hospitals
• Audiology centers like our clinic in Blue Area, Islamabad
• Authorized hearing aid dealers who have audiometry equipment

At Siemens Hearing Solutions, we offer professional PTA hearing tests conducted by experienced audiologists. Our tests are thorough, our equipment is calibrated, and we take the time to explain your results clearly. Learn more about our hearing test services.