Audiology
Ear Health
Hearing Tests (Audiologic Evaluation)
What is a Hearing Test?
Patients who are experiencing hearing problems may have several
tests to determine the cause and extent of the hearing loss.
Tests
The audiologist takes a history of your hearing/hearing loss.
The audiologist then performs various tests to determine the
degree (how much) and etiology (cause) of the hearing loss:
Audiogram
An audiogram is graphical representation of a hearing test
that is generally performed in a sound suite
using sophisticated, calibrated equipment. A certified
audiologist usually
administers the test. Headphones are placed over the person's
ears, and
tones
are presented to each ear, one at a time.
The softest level at which the sounds can be heard is recorded
as the threshold
of
hearing.
Tympanometry
A small probe is placed into the outer portion
of the ear canal, and gentle pressure is
put in the
patient’s
ear canal to help detect middle ear fluid,
problems with the middle ear bones,
and other conditions.
Auditory Brainstem Response Testing
Auditory brainstem response testing uses computer equipment
to record the auditory nerve’s response to sounds delivered
to the ears via headphones. The response is recorded from recording
disks placed on the patient’s head. This testing is used
primarily to diagnose hearing loss in infants and very young
children who can’t reliably respond to testing.
Site of Lesion Testing
Auditory brainstem response testing is also
used to determine the function of the
auditory nerve
in adults.
This type of
testing is often called site of lesion
testing, and is similar to the
auditory brainstem response testing of
infants and young children.
Evoked Otoacoustic (Cochlear) Emissions Testing
Otoacoustic emissions are low intensity sounds
produced by the inner ear as a response to that ear being stimulated
by a sound.
A sensitive microphone placed in the outer portion of the ear
canal detects the inner ear’s response. Audiologists
use this test to rule out hearing loss. Because this test does
not
require active participation of the patient, it is often used
for newborn
hearing screening.
