Test the hearing

Test one ear at a time. Block the opposite ear; either cover it with your hand or produce a blocking white noise, e.g. crumpling paper.

Hold your watch by the patient’s ear. Discover how far away from the ear it is still heard. Alternative sounds are whispering or rubbing your fingers together. Increase in volume to normal speech or loud speech until your patient hears.

If the hearing in one ear is reduced, perform Rinne’s and Weber’s tests.