Audiology evaluations consist of a series of tests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its type, degree and configuration. An audiologist will assess the results of each individual test in order to develop a treatment plan geared toward your unique hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Should Be Given an Audiology Evaluation? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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An audiology (or hearing) evaluation can benefit patients of all\nages, even those who do not exhibit signs of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss is a progressive condition that often develops\nslowly. Many people are not aware of a change in their hearing because they\ngradually adapt to the subtle changes in their hearing ability over time.\nStudies indicate that it takes an average of seven years for a hearing-impaired\nindividual to seek treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An audiology evaluation should be the first course of action for\nanybody who even suspects a hearing loss. The sooner a diagnosis of hearing\nloss is made, the more successful treatment will be. Early detection means more\noptions for the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many physicians urge making audiology evaluations a routine part\nof your overall health care, much like regular vision exams and dental\ncheckups. They are quick, painless and provide immediate results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does Diagnostic Testing Entail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A comprehensive audiology evaluation consists of a series of\nindividual diagnostic tests that measure different aspects of your hearing.\nFollowing a physical examination and a review of your medical history, you will\nbe given most if not all of the following tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pure\ntone Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pure tone testing (also known as pure tone audiometry) uses pure\nsine waves to measure the sensitivity of each ear to different pitches. The\ntested pitches typically range from 250 to 8000 Hz. While you are wearing\nspecially calibrated earphones, you will be asked to identify when you hear\nspecific pure tones by raising a hand, pressing a button or responding\nverbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results are charted on an audiogram, a graph that shows the\ntype, degree and configuration of your hearing loss by plotting pitch (frequency)\nand loudness (intensity). The graph is useful for quickly visualizing the\nresults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bone\nConduction Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bone conduction testing is another type of pure tone test that\nmeasures your inner ear\u2019s response to sound. A difference between bone\nconduction results and the results obtained with the earphones indicates that\nsound is being dampened as is passes through the outer or middle ear, before it\nreaches the inner ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of sending the tones through the ear, this type of\ntesting is able to bypass the outer and middle ear and send the tone directly\nto the inner ear. A small vibrator is placed behind the ear. The device sends out\na vibration that passes through the skull bone to reach the inner ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech\nTesting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The pure tone audiogram contains information which is critical\nfor identifying hearing loss, but it doesn\u2019t say much about how well a person\ncan understand speech in different conditions. Speech (or word recognition)\ntesting is used to confirm the diagnosis and help rule out serious disorders of\nthe auditory nerve and parts of the brain that process speech. Speech testing\nmay be administered with either a quiet or noisy background; results are\nrecorded next to the audiogram for easy visual reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to detect fluid,\nwax buildup, eardrum perforations and tumors. It measures movement of the\neardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded on a chart called\na tympanogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acoustic\nReflex Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The acoustic reflex test measures involuntary muscle\ncontractions of the middle ear, and is used to verify that the auditory and\nfacial nerves are functioning well. It can also help to diagnose some specific\ncauses of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otoacoustic\nEmissions (OAEs)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds generated by vibrations\nof the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. OAE testing utilizes a tiny\nprobe fitted with a microphone and speaker that is used to stimulate the\ncochlea and measure its response. Individuals with normal hearing will produce\nemissions; when a hearing loss exceeds 25-30 decibels, OAEs will gradually\nbecome undetectable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This test helps determine whether there is a blockage in the ear\ncanal, excess fluid in the middle ear or damage to the hair cells of the\ncochlea. OAE testing is often included in newborn hearing screening programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auditory\nBrainstem Response (ABR)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Auditory brainstem response testing is used with adults to detect\ndisorders of the auditory nerve or brainstem. In newborns, it is used to\nestimate the softest sound levels the baby is able to hear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an ABR test, electrodes are attached to the forehead, scalp and\nearlobes and earphones are placed in the ears. Brainstem activity is measured\nin response to sounds of varying intensities. Because of the time involved in\nsetting up the test, it is only performed when necessary based on results of\nthe other tests listed above. It is done during a separately scheduled\nappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The brainstem response can only be detected if overall brain\nactivity is very low, so patients are reclined into a supine position and\nencouraged to try to fall asleep before the test starts. Caffeine and other\nstimulants should be avoided on the day of the test.<\/p>\n\n\n
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