How Many Varieties of Hearing Test Are There?

Anyone that suspects that they may have damaged their hearing or can notice it getting worse should get it tested by an audiologist. 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. As a person looking for <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=' '>hearing test</a> you should visit that site.  You will undoubtedly be asked to provide details about your medical history. They will also ask you questions concerning the sounds you hear at work for both past and present employment. Its important to let the audiologist know about any past injuries or illnesses you may have had and they will ask you to provide them with details of any.  You will be asked about your relatives and whether they have also suffered from hearing problems to see whether any hearing loss could be genetic. An otoscope is a common medical instrument used to look inside your ears and the audiologist is very likely to do this at the start of your physical examination. With it they can see whether there are any visible signs that could indicate damage to the eardrum or inner ear.  An audiogram will more than likely be carried out using specialist equipment in a sound proofed room. After entering the room you need to put on some special audio headphones. The patient is played sounds through the audio headphones and a record is made of the lowest tones that they are able to hear in both ears. Most of us remember similar tests in school, where we were told to raise our hand whenever we heard a tone in the headphone. The principle is the same but may well involve more sophisticated equipment. As a person looking for <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=' '>hearing tests</a> you should visit that site.  Another test called a tympanometry is likely to be carried out which involves a gentle pressure probe being placed in the middle ear. The pressure probe gently increases and decreases the air pressure whilst a tone is played. Any fluid in the ear causing the hearing loss, or other disorders can be detected from this type of examination.  Tuning fork tests use a tuning fork to evaluate hearing loss. If placed next to the patient's ears the tuning fork makes the middle ears to vibrate. The vibrations produced by the tuning fork are then sent to the patient's inner ear by holding it against the patient's bone behind heir ear. The patient is then required to say which tone appeared louder. The tuning fork test can determine the location of any hearing loss and the range of the patients hearing.  A "site of lesion" hearing test is used to determine where the cause of the hearing loss lies. The site of lesion test compares the level of hearing in both of the patients ears when other noises are present. The site of lesion test uses the same equipment as an audiogram, but the equipment is used slightly differently to provide a variety of results.  An audiologist will probably recommend other medical tests which may be contributing to hearing loss. One such test might be an x-ray of the inner ear and the patient's brain to get a closer look at the nerves present.  By performing a series of different tests the audiologist can get a more accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments. The variety of hearing tests that are currently available means that a precise diagnosis can be reached and effective treatments can allow patients to go on to lead better lives.