The Work Of An Audiometer And Techniques In Audiometry

By Marissa Velazquez


Hear loss is determined using an audiometer. This equipment has calibrations which help in attaining optimal results. During an examination, the patient is ushered into a quiet room which is supposed to be soundproof. The audiologist places headphones on the patients ears to relay sound from the machine to the patient. Any interruptions like movement by the patient, can affect the results negatively.

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 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.

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 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.

If no sound is heard, other factors have to be considered before a conclusion is reached. A noisy child would make it hard for the audiologist to pick the sound. A confirmatory test would be necessary to be sure. A more sensitive test called automated auditory brainstem response can be used to confirm the findings.

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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