Audiometric Test in Malaysia

No. You can book an audiometric test directly at any Hearing Partners clinic without a doctor’s referral. If your assessment identifies signs that may require medical attention, such as an ear infection, perforated eardrum, or sudden hearing loss, we will recommend further evaluation by an ENT specialist.

An audiometric test is a broad term that refers to a complete hearing assessment, while a pure tone audiometry test is a specific type of hearing test that measures your hearing sensitivity to different tones.

Audiometric tests may include several different tests to evaluate how well you hear and how your ears are functioning. Depending on your needs, they may involve tests such as pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry.

Air conduction audiometry uses headphones to test how well sound travels through your outer, middle, and inner ear. On the other hand, bone conduction audiometry uses a small vibrating device behind your ear to send sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Comparing both results helps determine whether hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.

If your workplace hearing test shows a change, consider booking a comprehensive audiometric test. Unlike a screening test, a diagnostic assessment provides a more detailed picture of your hearing and can help determine the type of hearing loss and what may be contributing to it.

If possible, bring your workplace hearing test report with you. Our hearing care professional can review the results alongside your diagnostic assessment and advise you on the appropriate next steps. Book an appointment with us today.

A standard audiometric test typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. The exact duration can vary slightly depending on the type of testing involved and whether additional assessments such as speech audiometry, tympanometry, or specialised diagnostic tests are included.

No, there are no risks associated with audiometric tests. They are painless, non-invasive procedures that are safe for both adults and children.

Yes, audiometric tests do have some limitations. These tests mainly assess how well you hear sounds at different pitches and volumes. They do not fully measure how your brain processes sound or how well you understand speech in complex, real-world listening environments. 

Additionally, they may not detect issues related to auditory processing disorders, hidden hearing loss, or neurological conditions. Additional specialised tests may be required in such cases.

Due to these limitations, audiometric tests are often combined with other assessments and clinical evaluations to provide a more complete understanding of your hearing health.

Your test results will be displayed on a chart called an audiogram. The chart will show how well you hear sounds at different pitches and volumes.

Your hearing care professional will review your results with you after the test and explain whether treatment or monitoring is necessary. If you would like to find out more, you can read about how to interpret your audiogram.

For adults, hearing thresholds of around 25 dB HL or better across the tested frequencies are commonly considered within the normal range, although classification systems can vary. Higher thresholds may indicate different degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound.

However, an audiogram is only part of the picture. You may have hearing thresholds within the normal range but still find it difficult to understand conversations, particularly in noisy environments. Your hearing care professional will therefore consider your test results alongside your listening difficulties and everyday experiences.

There is no pass or fail in a diagnostic audiometry test. The aim is simply to measure your hearing as accurately as possible, so there is no need to try to influence the results.

For an accurate assessment, avoid loud noise beforehand, let your hearing care professional know about any ear discomfort or blockage, and respond whenever you think you hear a tone, even if it is very faint. The sounds will become progressively softer during the test, so hearing very little at times is completely normal.

If you are responsible for arranging audiometric testing for employees, Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019 set out specific requirements for workers exposed to excessive workplace noise.

Where the relevant requirements apply, employers must:

• Arrange annual audiometric testing for employees identified through a noise risk assessment as being exposed above the permitted Noise Exposure Limit.
• Cover the cost of testing, rather than requiring employees to pay for it.
• Use an approved audiometric testing centre, either a DOSH-approved centre or an approved mobile testing facility.
• Ensure the audiograms are interpreted by an Occupational Health Doctor (OHD), with the required follow-up taken if abnormal results are identified.

Hearing Partners is not a DOSH-approved occupational audiometric testing centre and does not provide statutory workplace or on-site testing. If you need occupational testing for your employees, you can refer to the DOSH register of approved audiometric testing centres.

If a workplace hearing test has identified a change in your own hearing, you can instead book a full diagnostic hearing assessment with Hearing Partners to understand the type of hearing loss and determine the appropriate next steps.