Diagnostic Hearing Tests

An audiometry evaluation is a painless, noninvasive hearing test that measures a person’s ability to hear different sounds, pitches, or frequencies.Patients who have a tumor in or around the ear may undergo audiometry testing to determine whether hearing loss has occurred or to monitor their hearing before and after surgery. It is also used to evaluate whether hearing aids or surgery may improve one’s hearing.

All hearing tests should be done in a silent  environment to get accurate results, that,s why it,s done in a sound proof room.

During an audiometry evaluation, a variety of tests may be performed:

  • Pure Tone Audiometry Test (PTA): This is a routine hearing test that identifies your hearing level and type by presenting a variety of tones at different frequencies (pitches) and different loudness (intensities) through headphones. You need to indicate that you are able to hear the tone by pressing a button.
  • Immittance tests: Tympanometry and Acoustic reflexes:This assessment is carried out to check the function of your middle ear and ear drum and ensure that all the muscles there are intact.

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  • Speech Audiometry test: In this test the audiologist will assess your ability to receive and comprehend speech.
  • Paediatric audiology:

Behavioural Testing:

VRA (Visual Reinforcement Audiometry): is performed for infants and young toddlers, aged 5 months to about 2.5 years of age.

CPA (Conditioned Play Audiometry): is used for children aged 2.5 – 4 years old.

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If your child is 6 years or older developmentally:  Your child will be able to cooperate in pure tone Audiometry test (PTA).

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs): This test checks the intactness of the cochlea, or inner ear, and is usually used as a screening test for newborns.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): This test is helpful in determining a child’s ability to hear. In this test a special computer is used to measure the way the child’s hearing nerve reacts to different sounds.

ABR test is requested when the newborn fails the hearing screening test given in the hospital after birth or for older children if there is a suspicion of hearing loss that was not confirmed through more conventional hearing tests. This test can be completed only if the child is sleeping or lying perfectly still, relaxed and with his / her eyes closed.

  • Advanced audiology tests:

Electrical ABR: This test is used to assess the hearing level of cochlear implanted patients.

Very advanced devices and software are used to introduce the sounds through the implant and measure the reaction in the hearing nerve and brain stem.

Same like normal ABR, this test can be completed only if the child is sleeping or lying perfectly still, relaxed and with his / her eyes closed.

Electrocochleography (EcoG): This test checks the intactness of the inner ear components, and is usually carried out for patients with dizziness issues (Meniere’s disease).

Hearing loss types

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There are three main types of hearing loss:

  • Conductive hearing loss: This type is caused by blockage or damage in the outer ear, middle ear or both. It cause a loss of loudness. There are many causes for conductive hearing loss for example ear infections, perforated eardrum or blockage of the ear canal by wax or foreign objects. This type of hearing loss can be medically treated.
  • Sensorineural Hearing loss: This can be caused by damage to, or a malfunction of, the cochlea or the hearing nerve. It leads to a loss of loudness and clarity as well.
  • Mixed Hearing loss: It is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.