Audiologists or audlometrists conduct hearing tests.
Audiologists (who have postgraduate university qualifications) and audiometrists (technically trained) are able to conduct hearing assessments, help you choose an appropriate hearing aid, fit hearing aids and give advice on the use and care of hearing aids.
Audiologists (who have postgraduate university qualifications) and audiometrists (technically trained) are able to conduct hearing assessments, help you choose an appropriate hearing aid, fit hearing aids and give advice on the use and care of hearing aids.
HOW IS HEARING ASSESSED?
A hearing test identifies the sounds you can and cannot hear when you
listen to a series of pure tones through headphones. The tester transmits
the sounds using an audiometer The tester reduces the loudness of each
tone until you can hear it or increases the loudness until you are able
to hear it.
The tones are presented at a range of low to high frequencies (pitch) at varying degrees of intensity (loudness). The softness sounds you hear are your hearing thresholds and recorded on an audiogram (see graph inside).
Measurement is conducted using Air Conduction as the sound is sent using the headphones via the air into the ear canal, through the middle ear and to the inner ear (the cochlear and hearing nerve).
Measurement is also conducted using Bone Conduction by placing a small vibrator on the mastoid bone behind the ear with the sounds bypassing the middle ear This enables the tester to determine how your ear perceives the sound and whether your hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural.
If a Bone Conduction test indicates that you hear sound better than previously with an Air Conduction test, the problem is in the middle ear (Conductive Hearing Loss).
If you hear the sound no better from the Bone Conduction test your hearing loss presents as nerve deafness (Sensorineural Hearing Loss). However a mixed hearing loss may occur with both the middle and inner parts of the ear affected and contributing to the hearing loss.
What is an Audiogram?
• An audiogram is a graph which plots or marks your hearing loss
• It records the frequencies or different pitch of sounds you hear and
the loudness or intensity you require to hear these sounds
• Each ear is marked separately as indicated in the diagram
OTHER HEARING I AUDIOLOGICAL TESTS
Speech Discrimination Testing
It is important for you and the audiologist or audiometrist to know how
you hear speech. The pure tone audiometry tells how much sound you can
hear. However it does not indicate how clearly you can hear and discriminate
speech with your hearing loss.
A speech discrimination test is important part of determining hearing aid selection and settings.
Tympanometry
This is not a hearing test but rather a check of the functioning of the
eardrum and may indicate fluid behind the drum as a result of any middle
ear infection. This may interfere with the sound being conducted through
the middle ear and medical treatment is advisable.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEARING LOSS AND AUDIOGRAM
As with any examinations relating to health and well being;
• Make sure you understand about your hearing loss
• Make sure that you receive a copy of your audiogram
INDICATIONS
OF HEARING LOSS
It is not only from a hearing test that we can realise our hearing has
changed. Usually by the time we approach an audiologist, or audiometrist,
for a hearing test we have noticed changes such as;
• Voices seem muffled
or it seems people mumble a lot
• We want to turn up the volume on the TV or radio
• We often seem to be saying “I beg your pardon”
• Maybe others have complained we do not hear or listen them
• We have more trouble in groups of people hearing the conversation
HEARING
SCREENING
Hearing screening provides basic information on hearing levels and it
can indicate if there is a need for any further assessment. It does not
provide any diagnostic information.
Many organisations offer Hearing Screening;
• Hearing Screening
can be conducted in a quiet environment using a screening audiometer and
proper noise attenuating headsets on the audiometer
• Staff are trained to screen hearing across a range of frequencies and
to interpret the results
• Results are explained to indicate level of hearing and advice is provided
on any follow up action, including more comprehensive audiometric assessment,
if hearing levels indicate this
It is advisable to take the opportunity to have hearing screened along with attention to other health checks. Hearing is an important element of living and our well being. We need to be aware of our hearing levels, especially as we get older.