It is possible for people to cause damage to their hearing during their lives and the causes may not always be so obvious and it is a good idea to get your hearing tested by an audiologist should you start to notice any differences. They should be able to pinpoint the causes and tell you exactly why your hearing has suffered. By the end of this article you will have a clear understanding of the different hearing examinations that are available and what to expect from a visit to the audiologist.
You should be prepared to give details concerning your medical history. Questions during the history might include inquiries about the type of work you do and the sounds you are exposed to while on the job. It might also include inquiries about past illnesses and injuries that could impact your hearing.
An audiologist may also want to know about a possible family history of hearing loss, since some conditions may be genetic. During the medical history, the audiologist might also take a look inside your ears, using an instrument known as an otoscope. This device allows them to see the eardrum and inner ear and so they can check for any abnormalities.
An audiogram will more than likely be carried out using specialist equipment in a sound proofed room. This test involves you wearing special audio headphones inside the room. The patient will hear sounds played through the headphones and the lowest tone that they hear will be recorded by the audiologist. Many people will remember taking a similar test at school when your hearing is first tested. The examination at the audiologist's will follow the same basic principles but the equipment used will probably be more advanced.
In some examinations you will receive a tympanometry when the audiologist will place a pressure probe in your ear. During the test, air pressure is increased or decreased while a tone is sounded. A tympanometry is used to determine whether there is any fluid or other problems that are causing any hearing loss.
A tuning fork may be used in some examinations to determine the amount of hearing loss. The tuning fork causes the patient's middle ear to vibrate if placed near the ear. Next, the fork is placed on the bone behind one of the patient's ears which send the vibrations through to the inner ear. The patient is then required to say which tone appeared louder. The test can help to determine the patient's hearing range and pinpoint the location of the hearing loss.
The audiologist is also likely to perform a test called a 'site of lesion' test to find the cause of hearing loss. The site of lesion test will compare the hearing in one ear to the other when other sounds are present. The equipment used for an audiogram will also be used for the site of lesion test but audiologist will collect a different set of results.
Other, more detailed specialist examinations might be carried out to determine whether the loss of hearing is being caused by other medical conditions present. The nerves inside the patient's inner ear can be examined by taking a special x-ray which may help to determine the causes of any hearing loss.
By performing a series of different tests the audiologist can get a more accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments. Because of the different hearing tests that are available a precise diagnosis can be achieved and effective treatments can help the patient go on to have a better quality of life.
You should be prepared to give details concerning your medical history. Questions during the history might include inquiries about the type of work you do and the sounds you are exposed to while on the job. It might also include inquiries about past illnesses and injuries that could impact your hearing.
An audiologist may also want to know about a possible family history of hearing loss, since some conditions may be genetic. During the medical history, the audiologist might also take a look inside your ears, using an instrument known as an otoscope. This device allows them to see the eardrum and inner ear and so they can check for any abnormalities.
An audiogram will more than likely be carried out using specialist equipment in a sound proofed room. This test involves you wearing special audio headphones inside the room. The patient will hear sounds played through the headphones and the lowest tone that they hear will be recorded by the audiologist. Many people will remember taking a similar test at school when your hearing is first tested. The examination at the audiologist's will follow the same basic principles but the equipment used will probably be more advanced.
In some examinations you will receive a tympanometry when the audiologist will place a pressure probe in your ear. During the test, air pressure is increased or decreased while a tone is sounded. A tympanometry is used to determine whether there is any fluid or other problems that are causing any hearing loss.
A tuning fork may be used in some examinations to determine the amount of hearing loss. The tuning fork causes the patient's middle ear to vibrate if placed near the ear. Next, the fork is placed on the bone behind one of the patient's ears which send the vibrations through to the inner ear. The patient is then required to say which tone appeared louder. The test can help to determine the patient's hearing range and pinpoint the location of the hearing loss.
The audiologist is also likely to perform a test called a 'site of lesion' test to find the cause of hearing loss. The site of lesion test will compare the hearing in one ear to the other when other sounds are present. The equipment used for an audiogram will also be used for the site of lesion test but audiologist will collect a different set of results.
Other, more detailed specialist examinations might be carried out to determine whether the loss of hearing is being caused by other medical conditions present. The nerves inside the patient's inner ear can be examined by taking a special x-ray which may help to determine the causes of any hearing loss.
By performing a series of different tests the audiologist can get a more accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments. Because of the different hearing tests that are available a precise diagnosis can be achieved and effective treatments can help the patient go on to have a better quality of life.