Hear loss and other disorders related to the sense of hearing are usually monitored using an instrument called an audiometer. It is calibrated with standardized units of measure to obtain the accurate results concerning the disorder. The test requires to be done in a room that is quite and is fitted with soundproof material. The patient is usually given a set of headphones to put on the ears. He is then expected to remain seated and be calm.
The headphones are then attached to a device that produces tones at varied frequencies and different intensity. The audiologist then waits to see the patient raise a hand in acknowledgement of sound heard. To specify the ear that picks the sound, you are expected to raise the corresponding hand to the ear, which is either left or right hand respectively. There is also the provision of buttons to confirm hearing by the patient. The results are then studied and recorded on an audiogram.
For a person to lose his ability to hear, he could be suffering from some conditions and in rare cases some people are born with this problem. Acoustic nauroma is presented in form of a tumor that grows slowly in the cranial nerve. This nerve is very sensitive for hearing and providing balance. When this condition occurs it can also cause 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.
To test babies, the audiologist uses an otoacoustic emission test. This test is fast, simple and the child does not feel any pain. A tiny earpiece which contains a microphone and a small loudspeaker is securely placed in the ear. The loudspeaker produces clicking sound inside the ear which is passed to the cochlea. A well functioning cochlea responds by resending the sound to the ear canal which is heard 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.
Young children are tested using a technique called reinforcement audiometry. Speakers are used to relay the sounds in the testing room and the child responds by turning towards the sound outlet. Every time this is done, the audiologist has to reward the child to keep him motivated. The frequencies are changed at different levels to see if the child can hear even at the lowest sound. Testing much older children and adults is done by use of pure tone audiometry technique. An audiometer is used to transmit sounds through headphones at different pitches and levels.
The headphones are then attached to a device that produces tones at varied frequencies and different intensity. The audiologist then waits to see the patient raise a hand in acknowledgement of sound heard. To specify the ear that picks the sound, you are expected to raise the corresponding hand to the ear, which is either left or right hand respectively. There is also the provision of buttons to confirm hearing by the patient. The results are then studied and recorded on an audiogram.
For a person to lose his ability to hear, he could be suffering from some conditions and in rare cases some people are born with this problem. Acoustic nauroma is presented in form of a tumor that grows slowly in the cranial nerve. This nerve is very sensitive for hearing and providing balance. When this condition occurs it can also cause 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.
To test babies, the audiologist uses an otoacoustic emission test. This test is fast, simple and the child does not feel any pain. A tiny earpiece which contains a microphone and a small loudspeaker is securely placed in the ear. The loudspeaker produces clicking sound inside the ear which is passed to the cochlea. A well functioning cochlea responds by resending the sound to the ear canal which is heard 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.
Young children are tested using a technique called reinforcement audiometry. Speakers are used to relay the sounds in the testing room and the child responds by turning towards the sound outlet. Every time this is done, the audiologist has to reward the child to keep him motivated. The frequencies are changed at different levels to see if the child can hear even at the lowest sound. Testing much older children and adults is done by use of pure tone audiometry technique. An audiometer is used to transmit sounds through headphones at different pitches and levels.
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