Audiology evaluations consist of a series of\ntests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its\ntype, degree and configuration. An audiologist will assess the results of each\nindividual test in order to develop a treatment plan geared toward your unique\nhearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An audiology (or hearing) evaluation can benefit\npatients of all ages, even those who do not exhibit signs of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss is a progressive condition that\noften develops slowly. Many people are not aware of a change in their hearing\nbecause they gradually adapt to the subtle changes in their hearing ability\nover time. Studies indicate that it takes seven years, on average, for a\nhearing impaired individual to seek treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An audiology evaluation should be the first\ncourse of action for anybody who even suspects a hearing loss. The sooner a\ndiagnosis of hearing loss is made, the more successful treatment will be. Early\ndetection means more options for the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many physicians urge making audiology evaluations\na routine part of your overall health care, much like regular vision exams and\ndental checkups. They are quick, painless and provide immediate results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A comprehensive audiology evaluation consists of\na series of individual diagnostic tests that measure different aspects of your\nhearing. Following a physical examination and a review of your medical history,\nyou will be given any or all of the following tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pure-tone testing (also known as pure tone\naudiometry) uses air conduction to measure your ability to hear sounds of\nvarious pitches and volumes. Wearing headphones, you will be asked to identify\na series of tones by raising a hand, pressing a button, or responding verbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results are charted on an audiogram, a graph\nthat shows the type, degree and configuration of your hearing loss by comparing\npitch (frequency) with loudness (intensity). The pattern recorded will help\nyour audiologist determine your hearing threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bone conduction testing is another type of\npure-tone test that measures the inner ear\u2019s response to sound. If there is\ndamage or a blockage in the outer or middle ear, bone conduction audiometry\ntesting may be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of sending the tones through the ear,\nthis type of testing is able to bypass the outer and middle ear and send the\ntone directly to the inner ear. A small vibrator is placed behind the ear. The\ndevice sends out a vibration that passes through the skull bone to reach the\ninner ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the results of this test are different than\nthe air conduction test, your audiologist can use this information to determine\nwhether you have a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, a two-pronged metal tuning fork\nmay be placed behind the ear or on the forehead. When vibrated, it produces a\ntone that travels to the cochlea via the skull. Your response determines how\nwell sound travels through different parts of your ear, helping the audiologist\ndiagnose your type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bone conduction testing is often used in place of\nair conduction testing when an obstruction in the outer or middle ears is\npresent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech (or word recognition) testing is used to measure your speech recognition threshold (SRT), or the faintest speech you can understand 50 percent of the time. This is compared with your pure-tone test results to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, your ability to separate speech from background noise will be recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech testing may be administered in either a\nquiet or noisy environment; results are recorded on the audiogram for easy\nvisual reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to\ndetect fluid, wax buildup, eardrum perforations and tumors. It measures\nmovement of the eardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded\non a chart called a tympanogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The acoustic reflex test measures involuntary\nmuscle contractions of the middle ear, and is used to determine the location of\nyour hearing problem (the ossicles, cochlea, auditory nerve, etc.) as well as\nthe type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auditory brainstem response testing is used to\ndetermine whether a specific type of hearing loss \u2013 sensorineural \u2013 exists. It\nis also frequently used to screen newborns for hearing problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an ABR test, electrodes are attached to your\nhead, scalp or earlobes, and you are given headphones to wear. Your brainwave\nactivity is measured in response to sounds of varying intensities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds generated\nby vibrations of the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. OAE testing\nutilizes a tiny probe fitted with a microphone and speaker that is used to\nstimulate the cochlea and measure its response. Individuals with normal hearing\nwill produce emissions; when a hearing loss exceeds 25-30 decibels, no sound\nwill be produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This test helps determine whether there is a\nblockage in the ear canal, excess fluid in the middle ear or damage to the hair\ncells of the cochlea. OAE testing is often included in newborn hearing\nscreening programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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. Who Should Be Given an Audiology Evaluation?…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":61,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":"","footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n