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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAn audiology (or hearing) evaluation can benefit patients of\nall ages, even those who do not exhibit signs of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss is a progressive condition that often develops slowly. Many people are not aware of a change in their hearing because they gradually adapt to the subtle changes in their hearing ability over time. Studies indicate that it takes seven years, on average, for a hearing-impaired individual to seek treatment according to the National Institutes of Health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An audiology evaluation should be the first course of action\nfor anybody 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\npart of 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?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA comprehensive audiology evaluation consists of a series of individual diagnostic tests that measure different aspects of your hearing. Following an ear examination and a review of your medical history, you will be given any or all of the following tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pure Tone Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPure-tone testing (also known as pure tone audiometry) uses\nair conduction to measure your ability to hear sounds of various pitches and\nvolumes. Wearing headphones, you will be asked to identify a series of tones by\nraising a hand, pressing a button, or responding verbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results are charted on an audiogram, a graph that shows\nthe type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss by comparing pitch\n(frequency) with loudness (intensity). The pattern recorded will help your\naudiologist determine your hearing threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bone Conduction Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBone conduction testing is another\ntype of pure-tone test that measures the inner ear\u2019s response to sound. Instead\nof sending the tones through the ear, this type of testing is able to bypass\nthe outer and middle ear and send the tone directly to the inner ear. A small\ndevice is placed behind the ear that sends a vibration that passes through the\nskull bone to reach the inner ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the results of this test are\ndifferent than the air conduction test, your audiologist can use this information\nto determine whether you have a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpeech (or word recognition) testing is used to measure your speech reception 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech testing may be administered in either a quiet or\nnoisy environment; results are recorded on the audiogram for easy visual\nreference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to detect\nfluid, wax buildup, eardrum perforations, and tumors. It measures movement of\nthe eardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded on a chart\ncalled a tympanogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acoustic Reflex Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe acoustic reflex test measures\ninvoluntary muscle contractions of the middle ear and is used to determine the\nlocation of your hearing problem as well as the type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n
Pure-tone testing (also known as pure tone audiometry) uses\nair conduction to measure your ability to hear sounds of various pitches and\nvolumes. Wearing headphones, you will be asked to identify a series of tones by\nraising a hand, pressing a button, or responding verbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results are charted on an audiogram, a graph that shows\nthe type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss by comparing pitch\n(frequency) with loudness (intensity). The pattern recorded will help your\naudiologist determine your hearing threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bone Conduction Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBone conduction testing is another\ntype of pure-tone test that measures the inner ear\u2019s response to sound. Instead\nof sending the tones through the ear, this type of testing is able to bypass\nthe outer and middle ear and send the tone directly to the inner ear. A small\ndevice is placed behind the ear that sends a vibration that passes through the\nskull bone to reach the inner ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the results of this test are\ndifferent than the air conduction test, your audiologist can use this information\nto determine whether you have a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpeech (or word recognition) testing is used to measure your speech reception 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech testing may be administered in either a quiet or\nnoisy environment; results are recorded on the audiogram for easy visual\nreference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to detect\nfluid, wax buildup, eardrum perforations, and tumors. It measures movement of\nthe eardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded on a chart\ncalled a tympanogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acoustic Reflex Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe acoustic reflex test measures\ninvoluntary muscle contractions of the middle ear and is used to determine the\nlocation of your hearing problem as well as the type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n
Speech (or word recognition) testing is used to measure your speech reception 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speech testing may be administered in either a quiet or\nnoisy environment; results are recorded on the audiogram for easy visual\nreference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tympanometry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to detect\nfluid, wax buildup, eardrum perforations, and tumors. It measures movement of\nthe eardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded on a chart\ncalled a tympanogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acoustic Reflex Testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe acoustic reflex test measures\ninvoluntary muscle contractions of the middle ear and is used to determine the\nlocation of your hearing problem as well as the type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n
The acoustic reflex test measures\ninvoluntary muscle contractions of the middle ear and is used to determine the\nlocation of your hearing problem as well as the type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n