hearing tests - Roger Clark Hearing Centers

Have you been asking, “Can you say that again?” more often than you’d like? Or maybe you’ve noticed you’re gradually turning up the volume on the TV or phone? These small changes may be early signs of hearing loss — and they shouldn’t be ignored.

While professional hearing evaluations remain the gold standard, learning how to do a basic hearing test at home can help you identify potential concerns early. The sooner hearing issues are recognized, the better your chances of preserving your hearing health and preventing complications like cognitive decline, social withdrawal, and emotional distress.

In this article, we’ll break down a few simple ways to check your hearing at home and explain when it’s time to skip the DIY and visit a hearing specialist for a hearing test in Waco, TX.

Why Home Hearing Tests Matter

Home hearing tests are not meant to replace a clinical exam, but they can still be a helpful tool — especially when used responsibly.

Here’s what makes them useful:

Affordable: You don’t need any fancy devices or appointments. Many screening methods can be done for free with household items.
Early Detection: They offer a quick way to notice any changes, which can be critical for early intervention.
Monitoring Changes: If you’ve already been diagnosed or are at risk, these tests can help you track your hearing over time.
Convenient: Do them anytime — no need to wait for an appointment.
Private: For those who may be hesitant to seek help, home tests are a discreet first step.

However, these tests are only a first step. If you suspect any degree of hearing loss, it’s important to follow up with a trained professional for a full evaluation.

Types of At-Home Hearing Tests

1. Whisper and Finger-Rub Tests

These basic tests only require a second person and a quiet room.

Whisper Test: Have someone stand about 6 feet behind you. While covering one ear, they whisper a word or number. You repeat what you hear. Then switch ears and try again.
Finger-Rub Test: The other person rubs their fingers together near each ear while your eyes are closed. You identify which side the sound is coming from. This can highlight differences between ears.

These tests aren’t precise, but they can hint at reduced hearing in one or both ears.

2. Tuning Fork Tests (Weber & Rinne)

If you happen to have a tuning fork on hand, these ENT-approved tests can give slightly more insight.

Weber Test: Strike the tuning fork and place it at the center of your forehead. Normally, you should hear the sound equally in both ears. If it’s louder on one side, that may indicate a problem in the quieter ear.
Rinne Test: Place the vibrating tuning fork on the bone behind your ear (the mastoid bone). When you stop hearing the sound, move the fork near your ear canal. If the sound lasts longer through air than bone, that’s a good sign. If not, it could suggest conductive hearing loss.

These tests won’t pinpoint the exact cause of hearing loss, but they can help guide whether further evaluation is needed.

3. Visual Inspection: Earwax and Inflammation

Sometimes, blocked ears from excessive wax can cause hearing issues — and that’s something you can spot yourself.

Use a small flashlight (or your phone’s flashlight) and look into your ear canal in the mirror.
Check for visible blockages, redness, swelling, or discharge.

If you notice excessive wax or signs of infection, it’s best to see a professional. Never insert anything deep into the ear canal yourself — doing so can damage your ear or push wax further in.

Understanding Your Results

If your home test reveals that one ear hears significantly better than the other, or if you notice difficulty in both ears, here’s what it might mean:

Minor issues: Could be related to wax buildup, a cold, allergies, or temporary fluid in the ears.
Ongoing or significant issues: May indicate sensorineural or conductive hearing loss — and this absolutely calls for a professional evaluation.

Again, home tests are not diagnostic tools. They’re simply an indicator. Only a qualified hearing specialist in Waco can accurately assess your hearing and determine the cause and severity of any loss.

When It’s Time to See a Hearing Specialist

There are a few red flags that mean it’s time to schedule a hearing test with a licensed provider, such as the experts at Roger Clark Hearing Centers in Waco, TX:

You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
You have difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy environments
You hear ringing (tinnitus) or buzzing sounds
You experience dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues
You feel isolated or frustrated due to communication difficulties

Even if symptoms seem mild, don’t wait. Early intervention is key to preventing further hearing damage and maintaining your quality of life.

Also Read: Why to Consult a Hearing Aids Specialist Rather Than a General Practitioner

Why Choose a Professional Hearing Test?

Hearing professionals use advanced diagnostic tools that go far beyond what’s possible at home. At Roger Clark Hearing Centers, we offer:

Free initial screenings
Comprehensive audiometric evaluations
Customized treatment plans
Access to state-of-the-art hearing aids in Waco, TX

Our goal is to help you hear clearly and live fully — whether that means removing wax, treating an infection, or fitting you with hearing aids tailored to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rely only on home hearing tests?
No. They’re a helpful screening tool, but they don’t provide enough detail to diagnose hearing loss or determine its cause. A professional exam is always the most reliable route.

How often should I test my hearing at home?
If you’re at risk due to age, family history, or work environment, try testing every 6 months. Otherwise, once a year is usually sufficient.

What symptoms require immediate medical attention?
Seek help if you experience:

Sudden or severe hearing loss
Persistent tinnitus (ringing)
Ear pain or discharge
Dizziness or balance issues

Where can I get a hearing test in Waco?

Visit Roger Clark Hearing Centers for trusted, compassionate care. We offer full hearing evaluations and help you find the best solution for your needs — from medical treatment to hearing aids in Waco, TX.

Will I definitely need hearing aids if I have hearing loss?
Not always. Depending on the cause, you may benefit from other treatments first — such as wax removal, medication, or lifestyle changes. If hearing aids are needed, today’s technology is discreet, comfortable, and highly effective.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to test your hearing at home gives you a great head start on maintaining your hearing health. These simple assessments can flag early signs and help you track changes over time. But remember — they’re just that: simple.

If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact Roger Clark Hearing Centers in Waco, TX, and take that next step toward clearer conversations and a better quality of life.

Schedule your professional hearing test in Waco today — your ears will thank you.

Hearing is an essential part of how we interact with the world around us. It allows us to engage in meaningful conversations, enjoy music, and share laughter with loved ones. When our hearing begins to decline, it can significantly impact our quality of life. Hearing tests Waco are vital diagnostic tools that assess hearing ability and identify issues early, helping preserve your auditory health.

In this blog, we’ll cover the different types of hearing tests, how they work, and what their results mean. Understanding these tests can empower you to take control of your hearing health.

What Are Hearing Tests?

Hearing tests are assessments designed to measure a person’s ability to detect sounds at different pitches and volumes. They help hearing care specialists pinpoint the type and severity of hearing loss, enabling them to recommend effective solutions such as medical treatments or hearing aids.

Hearing tests are critical for:

Identifying hearing loss early.
Monitoring changes in hearing over time.
Determining the need for assistive devices like hearing aids.

Types of Hearing Tests

There are several types of hearing tests, each designed to evaluate a specific aspect of hearing. Here’s a closer look at the most common ones:

Pure-Tone Audiometry
This is one of the most commonly used hearing tests, measuring a person’s ability to hear sounds at different pitches and volumes.

How It Works: The patient wears headphones and listens to a series of tones at various frequencies and volumes, signaling to the hearing specialist when they hear a sound.

Purpose: Pure-tone audiometry identifies the type (sensorineural, conductive, or mixed) and severity of hearing loss.

Speech Audiometry
This test evaluates a person’s ability to hear and understand speech in different conditions.

How It Works: The patient listens to a series of spoken words at various volumes and repeats them back.

Purpose: Speech audiometry measures speech recognition ability and determines the potential benefits of hearing aids.

Tympanometry
Tympanometry assesses the function of the middle ear, including the eardrum and ossicles (tiny ear bones).

How It Works: A small probe is placed in the ear canal, and air pressure changes are applied to measure the eardrum’s response.

Purpose: This test diagnoses issues like fluid buildup, eardrum perforations, and Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
OAE tests measure sounds produced by the inner ear (cochlea) in response to auditory stimuli.

How It Works: A small probe emits sounds into the ear canal and records the cochlea’s responses.

Purpose: This test detects cochlear damage and is often used for newborn hearing screenings.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
ABR testing evaluates how well sound signals travel from the ear to the brain.

How It Works: Electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes to record the brain’s response to sounds delivered through headphones.

Purpose: ABR is used for individuals unable to participate in standard hearing tests, such as infants, and helps diagnose auditory nerve or brainstem disorders.

Bone Conduction Testing
This test examines how well sound travels through the skull bones to reach the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.

How It Works: A vibrating device is placed on the forehead or behind the ear to directly stimulate the inner ear.

Purpose: Bone conduction testing distinguishes between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Tuning Fork Tests
These simple tests use a metal tuning fork to help diagnose the type of hearing loss.

How It Works: The vibrating tuning fork is placed on the skull or near the ear, and the patient reports what they hear.

Purpose: Tuning fork tests help differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

High-Frequency Audiometry
This test evaluates high-frequency sounds, which are often the first to be affected by hearing loss.

How It Works: Similar to pure-tone audiometry, high-frequency sounds are played, and the patient signals when they hear them.

Purpose: High-frequency audiometry is essential for detecting early-stage noise-induced or age-related hearing loss.

Understanding Hearing Test Results

After the tests are complete, the results are displayed on an audiogram, a graph that shows your hearing ability across different frequencies and volumes. Here’s how to interpret key components of an audiogram:

Hearing Thresholds: Measured in decibels (dB), these indicate the softest sounds you can hear. Normal hearing typically ranges between 0 and 25 dB.
Frequency: Measured in Hertz (Hz), frequency refers to the pitch of a sound. The audiogram shows frequencies from low (125 Hz) to high (8000 Hz).
Types of Hearing Loss:
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Normal bone conduction thresholds with reduced air conduction thresholds.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Both air and bone conduction thresholds are reduced.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural loss.
  Also Read: Types and Causes of Hearing Loss and Deafness
Speech Discrimination Scores: This measures your ability to understand speech and is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of hearing aids.

Why Regular Hearing Tests Matter

Regular hearing exams are essential for maintaining your auditory health. They allow for early detection of potential issues, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes. By identifying the type and extent of hearing loss, hearing specialists can create a customized care plan tailored to your needs.

Prioritize Your Hearing Health with Roger Clark Hearing

At Roger Clark Hearing, we are committed to helping you take control of your hearing health. Our comprehensive hearing tests and personalized treatments ensure you receive the care you deserve.

Whether you need advanced diagnostic testing, modern hearing aids, or routine hearing evaluations, we’re here to support you. Don’t let hearing loss prevent you from living your best life—schedule an appointment with Roger Clark Hearing today and let us help you preserve the sounds that matter most.

Take the first step toward better hearing and improved well-being. Contact Roger Clark Hearing now for expert care and professional attention to your hearing health.

Category: hearing tests

How Can You Test Your Hearing at Home?