An audiometer is a special instrument used to identify and monitor hear loss and hearing disorders. It has standard calibrations which help to obtain the best results of the condition. Audiometric tests are carried out in a quiet soundproof room. Headphones are provided to the patient to place on his ears. The professional requests you to sit and remain calm.
Sound relayed from the machine to the patient is done at different frequencies and intensities. The patient is required to respond whenever he hears the sound by either raising his hand or pressing a button. The hand raised has to correspond with the side of the ear that has heard the sound. This is repeated until the sound is very faint. The reading is then examined for any abnormality then recorded on an audiogram.
There are many conditions that can cause a person to lose his ability to hear. Acoustic neuroma is one of such conditions. This is a slow growing tumor on the cranial nerve which is responsible for hearing and balance. Apart from hear loss it also causes facial paralysis.
Damage to the eardrum also known as the ossicle is also associated with hearing loss. Malfunction of a part of the hearing system known as vestibulocochlear nerve has been associated with sensorineural hearing loss. You might occasional experience a buzzing sound known as tinnitus. Mismanagement of some conditions like Vertigo can also result in hearing loss.
Hearing ability can be established through a number of tests. The test is always dictated by the type of patient and the reason for the test. You may encounter patients who are newborns, young children or even adults. Because children may not tell or even realize when they have hearing problems, the audiologist is then expected to use a suitable method of diagnosis. The test principle is the same for children and adults but the process may vary to get accurate results.
An otoacoustic emission test is most preferred to test babies. This is because the test is simple to carryout, takes a very short time and the child feels no pain. It involves the placing in the childs ear a tiny earpiece attached to a microphone and a loudspeaker. A clicking sound is then produced by the speaker, which is transmitted to the cochlea. If the cochlea is functioning properly, the sound will be sent back to the ear canal and picked by the microphone.
A case where no sound is heard could mean an hearing problem though other factors have to be ruled out. These factors can be an unsettled child, a noisy room or even the presence of some fluid in the ear after birth. The test has to be done several times and if not satisfactory another more sensitive test called automated auditory brainstem response is done. Both tests have to be done when the child is asleep to avoid interruption.
A technique called reinforcement audiometry is used to test young children. This test uses speakers as the sound outlet. The child is required to respond by confirming the location of the speaker when he hears the sound. This is done repeatedly at different frequencies. Adults and much grown children are tested using a technique called pure tone audiometry where an audiometer is used to produce sound which is relayed to the headphones at varied intensities and frequencies.
Sound relayed from the machine to the patient is done at different frequencies and intensities. The patient is required to respond whenever he hears the sound by either raising his hand or pressing a button. The hand raised has to correspond with the side of the ear that has heard the sound. This is repeated until the sound is very faint. The reading is then examined for any abnormality then recorded on an audiogram.
There are many conditions that can cause a person to lose his ability to hear. Acoustic neuroma is one of such conditions. This is a slow growing tumor on the cranial nerve which is responsible for hearing and balance. Apart from hear loss it also causes facial paralysis.
Damage to the eardrum also known as the ossicle is also associated with hearing loss. Malfunction of a part of the hearing system known as vestibulocochlear nerve has been associated with sensorineural hearing loss. You might occasional experience a buzzing sound known as tinnitus. Mismanagement of some conditions like Vertigo can also result in hearing loss.
Hearing ability can be established through a number of tests. The test is always dictated by the type of patient and the reason for the test. You may encounter patients who are newborns, young children or even adults. Because children may not tell or even realize when they have hearing problems, the audiologist is then expected to use a suitable method of diagnosis. The test principle is the same for children and adults but the process may vary to get accurate results.
An otoacoustic emission test is most preferred to test babies. This is because the test is simple to carryout, takes a very short time and the child feels no pain. It involves the placing in the childs ear a tiny earpiece attached to a microphone and a loudspeaker. A clicking sound is then produced by the speaker, which is transmitted to the cochlea. If the cochlea is functioning properly, the sound will be sent back to the ear canal and picked by the microphone.
A case where no sound is heard could mean an hearing problem though other factors have to be ruled out. These factors can be an unsettled child, a noisy room or even the presence of some fluid in the ear after birth. The test has to be done several times and if not satisfactory another more sensitive test called automated auditory brainstem response is done. Both tests have to be done when the child is asleep to avoid interruption.
A technique called reinforcement audiometry is used to test young children. This test uses speakers as the sound outlet. The child is required to respond by confirming the location of the speaker when he hears the sound. This is done repeatedly at different frequencies. Adults and much grown children are tested using a technique called pure tone audiometry where an audiometer is used to produce sound which is relayed to the headphones at varied intensities and frequencies.
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