Audiometry : Hearing Test

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Audiometry: Hearing Test

What is Audiometry test?

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.

How does a hearing test work?

Our ears have three distinct parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear (Fig. 1). Audiometry tests can detect whether you have sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the nerve or cochlea) or conductive hearing loss (damage to the eardrum or the tiny ossicle bones). During an audiometry evaluation, a variety of tests may be performed.

A pure tone audiometry test measures the softest, or least audible, sound that a person can hear. During the test, you will wear earphones and hear a range of sounds directed to one ear at a time. The loudness of sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is about 20 dB, loud music ranges 80-120 dB, and a jet engine is about 180 dB. The tone of sound is measured in frequencies (Hz). Low bass tones range 50-60 Hz, high-pitched tones range 10,000 Hz or higher. Normal hearing range is 250-8,000 Hz at 25 dB or lower..

A word recognition test (also called speech discrimination test) assesses a person's ability to understand speech from background noise. If your speech discrimination is poor, speech may sound garbled. Word recognition scores can be helpful in predicting the usefulness of a hearing aid.

Hearing loss is often described as follows:

  • Normal = less than 25 db HL
  • Mild = 25-40 db HLT
  • Moderate = 41-65 dB HL
  • Severe = 66-90 db HL
  • Profound = more than 90 db HL

    • Hearing loss is defined as one of three types:

  • Conductive (involves outer or middle ear)
  • Sensorineural (involves inner ear)
  • Mixed (combination of the two)

CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS

  • Damage to the inner ear. Aging and exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren't transmitted as efficiently, and hearing loss occurs. Higher pitched tones may become muffled to you. It may become difficult for you to pick out words against background noise.
  • Gradual buildup of earwax. Earwax can block the ear canal and prevent conduction of sound waves. Earwax removal can help restore your hearing.
  • Ear infection and abnormal bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.
  • Ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation). Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking your eardrum with an object and infection can cause your eardrum to rupture and affect your hearing.
  • Aging. Degeneration of inner ear structures occurs over time.
  • Loud noise. Exposure to loud sounds can damage the cells of your inner ear. Damage can occur with long-term exposure to loud noises, or from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot.
  • Heredity. Your genetic makeup may make you more susceptible to ear damage from sound or deterioration from aging.
  • Occupational noises. Jobs where loud noise is a regular part of the working environment, such as farming, construction or factory work, can lead to damage inside your ear
  • Recreational noises. Exposure to explosive noises, such as from firearms and jet engines, can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. Other recreational activities with dangerously high noise levels include snowmobiling, motorcycling, carpentry or listening to loud music.
  • Some illnesses. Diseases or illnesses that result in high fever, such as meningitis, may damage the cochlea.
  • Some illnesses. Diseases or illnesses that result in high fever, such as meningitis, may damage the cochlea.

SYMPTOMS OF HEARING LOSS

  • Muffling of speech and other sounds
  • Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd
  • Trouble hearing consonants
  • Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
  • Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
  • Withdrawal from conversations
  • Avoidance of some social settings

Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT CAUSES HEARING LOSS?

    Hearing loss can be caused by several different factors. The most common cause, scientifically called presbycusis, means that aging or genetics are causing your hearing to slowly decline over time, similar to many people's experience with their eyesight. You could also experience noise-induced hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is a result of over-exposure to loud sounds. Even sounds over 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage after 15 minutes of exposure—that's about as loud as the average lawnmower! If you have earwax, or another object blocking our ear canal, that could be causing hearing loss as well. Usually not permanent, this is known as conductive hearing loss and can usually be cured with the proper course of treatment. Some less common causes of hearing loss may be linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, medicinal reactions, and more. You should always consult your hearing healthcare provider if you think you may be experiencing hearing loss due to a medical condition. .

  • WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HEARING LOSS?
    • You are constantly asking people to repeat themselves
    • You have difficulty while having a conversation in a noisy environment
    • You often mishear words
    • It seems as though many of the people in your life mumble
    • People are always telling you to turn the TV down
    • Most importantly: friends and family members have asked you to get your hearing checked.

      • IMPORTANT: If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible:

    • Sudden hearing loss
    • Blood or fluid draining from your ears
    • Sudden onset of dizziness
    • Fluctuating hearing loss
    • Head trauma
  • ARE THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF HEARING LOSS?

    Yes! There are three different types of hearing loss, as determined by where in your ear the problem lies.

    • Conductive Hearing Loss: Sound can't travel from the outer ear (the part you can see) to the inner ear (the part you can't see). This is often the result of wax build-up, trauma to the ear, or even ear infections. Typically, conductive hearing loss “turns the volume down” but doesn't necessarily affect the clarity of your hearing. Conductive hearing losses may also be corrected by medical intervention so it is always important to make an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist for further consultation.
    • Sensorineural Hearing Loss: With sensorineural hearing loss, the problem may be damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or within the hearing nerve. Most of the time, the hair cells in the inner ear have been worn down due to aging or noise exposure, but sometimes, medications, cancer treatments or illness can create deterioration as well. With sensorineural loss, it's not just that “the volume is turned down,” but your ability to understand speech suffers too. This is the most common type of hearing loss as 90% of people with hearing loss have this kind. The most effective treatment is hearing devices.
    • Mixed Hearing Loss: Just like it sounds, this is a mixture of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
  • HOW CAN I PREVENT MY HEARING LOSS FROM GETTING WORSE?

    Hearing loss cannot always be prevented; however, there are important things you can do to ensure you are making your hearing health a priority and taking precautionary measures.

    Use hearing aids to address your hearing loss! If you lift weights and exercise your muscles, the nerves fire to the muscle and keep it strong. If you don't exercise your muscles, they'll weaken and atrophy. That's why it's important to use hearing aids to stimulate the hearing nerve. This helps the clarity of your hearing stay as much intact as it can. Hearing aids make the most out of the hearing ability you have left and keep your brain's ability to recognize speech in top shape. Make an appointment here.

    Limit your noise exposure. If you work in a noisy environment or plan to attend a loud event, like a concert, then ear protection is a must. Regular earplugs provide some protection, which is better than nothing, but most hearing care providers can fit you with custom earplugs for maximum comfort and protection.

    Get annual hearing tests so you can monitor your hearing health and take action as soon as any changes occur.

  • • WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HEARING LOSS?

    Depending on your symptoms, if your hearing loss is caused by a blockage like a wax buildup (conductive hearing loss), then having it cleared by your hearing healthcare professional could drastically improve your hearing ability. However, the most common hearing loss originates from damage to the sensory organ and/or nerve in the inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss), and nerve damage is permanent. The good news is that 95% of sensorineural hearing loss cases can be effectively helped through the use of hearing aids. Your local hearing healthcare professional can help you find hearing aids that fit your degree of hearing loss, needs, and lifestyle.

  • • WILL MY HEARING LOSS WORSEN OVER TIME?

    It depends on the type of hearing loss you're experiencing. For the majority of people who have hearing loss, it will get worse with time. Whether you have hearing loss from continued noise exposure or it's simply a combination of aging and genetics, time is not on your side. This is why it's important to visit a hearing provider at your earliest convenience and treat any hearing loss you may be experiencing..

  • WHY CAN'T I UNDERSTAND SPEECH IN CROWDED ENVIRONMENTS?

    Most people lose their ability to hear high frequency sounds first, as the area of the inner ear is most damaged due to everyday noises. High frequency sounds in speech are softer consonants that do not have a lot of power behind them, such as /s/, /f/, /t/, /k/, /p/. These tend to be sounds at the beginning or ending of words and may be perceived as a difference of hearing 'cat' vs. 'cap.' As a result, any loud or distracting noises make it difficult for you to comprehend what is being said. EarQ hearing aids feature innovative technology that reduce background noise in the tiny pauses between syllables of speech so that it's easier to understand a conversation in a noisy environment..

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