Audiometry involves the testing of hearing. There are various different ways to test hearing depending on the age of the person involved and the type of hearing loss. Typically, audiometric tests determine a subject's hearing levels with the help of an audiometer, but may also measure ability to discriminate between different sound intensities, recognize pitch, or distinguish speech from background noise. Damage to any part of the ear can cause a hearing loss. If there is a problem in the ear canal or the middle ear, this causes what is known as a conductive hearing loss. In conductive hearing loss, the movement of sound (conduction) is blocked or does not pass into the inner ear.There are several causes of conductive hearing losses and this may result in a permanent or temporary hearing loss.