Hearing test to rule out hearing problems
According to the National Institutes of Health, some form of hearing loss affects approximately a third of older Americans within the age range of 65 and 85. This makes it difficult for the affected seniors to understand and respond to conversation. Although hearing loss affects the elderly disproportionately, it also affects the young--even newborns. A series of tests, including general screening, Tune Fork, Audiometry, BAER and Otoacoustic Emissions, can help determine cause and treatment.
General Screening Test
General screening test is the first test performed as routine care, or associated with hearing problems, and done on each ear separately. The provider speaks words at different levels to check how the patient responds to sound level. The provider generally asks the patient to repeat his words. If the patient has difficulty hearing the words, the provider will speak loudly to see if the response is the same.
Tuning Fork Tests
The Tuning Fork Test involves two-pronged instruments, which creates a tone while it vibrates. The health care provider generally strikes the instrument causing it to vibrate and create a sound. The vibrations created are used to determine the patient's ability to hear different sound frequencies in the vibrating area of the middle ear and the eardrum. It is also used to check for damage sensors as well as damage of the nerves in the inner ear, or check for damage in both areas. Based on how the patient is able to hear the sound, the physician will be able to tell if the hearing loss is due solely to the nerves or if the problem is the sound reaching the nerves.
Audiometry
The Pure Tone Audiometry procedure is performed with an audiometer machine, which measures hearing tones via a headphone to determine hearing loss. An audiologist, who controls the tone and volume of the sounds in the earphones, does the testing. The patient presses a button or lifts his hand when he hears the sound. The provider keeps adjusting the volume until the patient is no longer able to hear the sounds. Then, the audiologist increases the volume again and repeats the test.
Auditory Brain Stem Response
Auditory brain stem response (ABR) or (BAER) brain stem auditory evoke response is a test, which identifies sensorineural hearing loss by placing electrodes on the scalp as well as on each earlobe. Clicking noises are then transmitted through the earphones, and the electrodes measures the brain reaction to the clicking sound, and the response recorded on a graph.
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing
Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) is a screening tool to check the hearing of newborns. Testing involves placing a tiny microphone in the ear canal. The microphone detects any response in the inner ear to sounds.
Tags: hearing loss, able hear, brain stem, check damage, hearing loss affects
