Treatment Using An Audiometer And Other Techniques In Audiometry

By Marissa Velazquez


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.

The headphones are connected to a machine that produces tones under various frequencies or pitches and at different intensities or levels. The audiologist requires you to respond by rising of your hand whenever you hear a sound. This has to be done in a way that he understands when one side of the ear is not alright by raising the left hand if the left ear is okay and the same for the right ear and hand. Some professional however, provide a button that you can press. The results produced are then analyzed and recorded on an audiogram.

There are many conditions that have contributed to people losing their hearing ability. One of such condition is called acoustic neuroma. This is a slow growing tumor on the cranial nerve, which has the responsibility of the sense of hearing and balance. In addition to the loss of hearing ability, it can also cause paralysis of the face.

A damaged eardrum or ossicle can cause conductive hearing loss. Damaged vestibulocochlear nerve can result to Sensorineural hearing loss. Sometimes a person can experience buzzing sounds which are also called tinnitus. Vertigo is another condition if not managed properly can result to hearing loss.

There are a number of tests than can be done to check for hearing ability. This are carried out according to the type of patient and the reason the test is to be done. The type of patient can be a newborn baby, young children or even adults. Children are not able to say when they have hearing problems. The audiologist has to use special equipments to test them. The principle followed in testing children is the same but the way of doing it may vary to be able to obtain more accurate results.

An otoacoustic emission test is used to check for hear loss on babies. It is a simple test that is not painful and is very fast. It comprises of a small earpiece which has a microphone and a tiny loudspeaker. The earpiece is placed in the ear. Clicking Sound is produced by the loudspeaker and relayed to the cochlea which in turn sends it to the ear canal to be heard through 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.

Reinforcement audiometry is the technique recommended for testing young children. Using speakers, sound is relayed to the testing room and the child is expected to respond by turning towards the direction of sound. The audiologist rewards the child to motivate him as he performs the test repeatedly. The frequencies are altered at different levels to establish if the child can pick even the lowest sound. Testing older children and adult is different as a pure tone audiometry technique is employed. This includes the use of an audiometer to transmit sounds through a headphone in varied pitches and levels.




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