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This test is done before and during your treatment if you're having chemotherapy | that can affect your hearing. You will be told if the drugs you're having might affect your hearing.
The test is usually done in a soundproof room. First your ears are checked for any blockages like ear wax. Then you put on a pair of headphones and your ears are tested one at a time. You'll hear different sounds (like musical notes) at different volumes and pitches. Each time you hear a sound, you have to raise your hand to let the audiologist (the person doing the test) know that you can hear it. This is done over and over again until you don’t hear anything. It’s done once for each ear.
Sometimes you have the test using a headband instead of earphones. The headband has small plastic rectangles that sit behind your ears. You'll be able to sense the sounds from vibrations through your skull into your ear bones.
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If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.