What is the difference between Hearing Screening Test and Clinical Hearing Assessment?

A hearing screening test and a clinical hearing assessment serve different purposes in evaluating an individual’s hearing abilities. Here are the key differences between the two:

Purpose:

Hearing Screening Test: The primary goal of a hearing screening test is to quickly identify individuals who may have hearing issues and need further evaluation. It is a preliminary and basic assessment to determine if there is a potential hearing problem.

Clinical Hearing Assessment: A clinical hearing assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified audiologist to assess the nature and extent of a person’s hearing loss. It provides more detailed information about the type, degree, and configuration of the hearing impairment as well as the middle ear function. 

Setting:

Hearing Screening Test: This is often conducted in non-specialised settings. It is designed to be quick and efficient in identifying individuals who may require further examination.

Clinical Hearing Assessment: This is typically conducted in a controlled clinical environment by a trained audiologist or hearing healthcare professional.

Procedure:

Hearing Screening Test: Usually involves simple and quick tests, such as pure-tone screenings, to determine if further evaluation is needed. It is not meant to provide detailed information about the type or configuration of hearing loss.

Clinical Hearing Assessment: Involves a battery of tests to assess various aspects of hearing function, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and other specialised tests based on individual needs. The assessment provides a comprehensive picture of the individual’s hearing abilities.

Outcome:

Hearing Screening Test: The outcome is often binary, indicating whether further evaluation is needed or not. It doesn’t provide detailed information about the characteristics of the hearing loss.

Clinical Hearing Assessment: The outcome includes a detailed audiogram and information about the type and severity of hearing loss, contributing factors, and potential treatment options.

Professional Involvement:

Hearing Screening Test: Can be administered by non-specialists, such as volunteers or healthcare workers, to quickly identify individuals who may need further evaluation by a specialist.

Clinical Hearing Assessment: Conducted by a qualified audiologists or other qualified hearing healthcare professionals who have specialised training in assessing and managing hearing disorders.

In summary, a hearing screening test is a quick and initial assessment to identify individuals at risk of hearing loss, while a clinical hearing assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation conducted by trained professionals to diagnose and characterize hearing impairments in detail. You can contact the Audiology Clinic to schedule an appointment with Doctor of Audiology – Dr Deepak Kumar for a Clinical Hearing Assessment.