conductive or sensorineural hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAlternatively, a two-pronged metal tuning fork may be placed behind the ear or on the forehead. When vibrated, it produces a tone that travels to the cochlea via the skull. Your response determines how well sound travels through different parts of your ear, helping the audiologist diagnose your type of hearing loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Bone conduction testing is often used in place of air conduction testing when an obstruction in the outer or middle ears is present.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Speech Testing<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Speech (or word recognition) testing is used to measure your speech reception threshold (SRT), or the faintest speech you can understand 50 percent of the time. This is compared with your pure-tone test results to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, your ability to separate speech from background noise will be recorded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Speech testing may be administered in either a quiet or noisy environment; results are recorded on the audiogram for easy visual reference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Tympanometry<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear used to detect fluid, wax buildup, eardrum perforations and tumors. It measures movement of the eardrum in response to air pressure; the results are recorded on a chart called a tympanogram.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Acoustic Reflex Testing<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The acoustic reflex test measures involuntary muscle contractions of the middle ear, and is used to determine the location of your hearing problem (the ossicles, cochlea, auditory nerve, etc.) as well as the type of hearing loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Auditory brainstem response testing is used to determine whether a specific type of hearing loss \u2013 sensorineural \u2013 exists. It is also frequently used to screen newborns for hearing problems.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In an ABR test, electrodes are attached to your head, scalp or earlobes, and you are given headphones to wear. Your brainwave activity is measured in response to sounds of varying intensities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds generated by vibrations of the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. OAE testing utilizes a tiny probe fitted with a microphone and speaker that is used to stimulate the cochlea and measure its response. Individuals with normal hearing will produce emissions; when a hearing loss exceeds 25-30 decibels, no sound will be produced.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This test helps determine whether there is a blockage in the ear canal, excess fluid in the middle ear or damage to the hair cells of the cochlea. OAE testing is often included in newborn hearing screening programs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Call Decibel Hearing Services<\/span> at (805) 449-2380<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Audiology evaluations consist of a series of tests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its type, degree and configuration. An audiologist will assess the results of each individual test in order to develop a treatment plan geared toward your unique hearing loss. Who Should Be Given an Audiology Evaluation?…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":79,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"(805) 449-2380 | Audiology evaluations consist of a series of tests used to determine whether a hearing loss exists and, if so, measure its type and degree.","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"