The Importance of Regular Hearing Tests

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People who are suffering from hearing loss should try to see an audiologist for a hearing test at the earliest possible time. As well as testing a patient's current hearing levels the tests by an audiologist also try to establish the reasons why a person's hearing might be suffering. This article will explain the different types of hearing tests available, so you know what to expect at your visit to the audiologist.

You will need to provide the audiologist with full details of your medical history. You will be asked questions concerning your occupation and the level of noise you are exposed to when you are working. 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.

An audiologist may also want to know about a possible family history of hearing loss, since some conditions may be genetic. The most common form of physical examination during a hearing test is when the audiologist uses otoscope to look inside your ears. This will enable them to examine the ear drum for any signs of damage.

Any hearing examination will probably involve an audiogram in a sound proofed room using specialized equipment. The patient enters the room and earphones are placed over the patients ears. The patient will hear sounds played through the headphones and the lowest tone that they hear will be recorded by the audiologist. Most school children receive a similar test when they first start school. The equipment the audiologist will use will probably be more sophisticated but the underlying principle is the same.

Some tests involve a pressure probe being placed in the middle ear. This test is known as a tympanometry. The device will change the air pressure inside the ear whilst a sound is played. By doing this examination the audiologist can determine whether there is fluid or disorders present that could be responsible for hearing loss.

You may have a test that uses a tuning fork to check the level of hearing loss. The tuning fork is placed near the ear so that it can cause the middle ear to vibrate when the fork is struck. Vibrations are then sent through to the inner ear by touching the tuning fork against the bone at the back of the patient's ear. One of these two different tones may appear louder and the audiologist will make a record of these findings. The tuning fork test can determine the location of any hearing loss and the range of the patients hearing.

Another useful test that the audiologist is likely to perform is the 'site of lesion' test which can locate the cause of any hearing loss. This test compares the patient's hearing in ear of their ears when other sounds are detected. The equipment for an audiogram will be used in a slightly different way for a site of lesion test to gather a different range 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. These may include a special x-ray of the patient's brain and inner ear to get a better look at the nerves that are involved with hearing.

To obtain a full diagnosis it is often required to undertake a series of examinations in order prescribe the most effective treatment. Thanks to a variety of hearing tests available today, many patients with hearing loss can get a precise diagnosis and effective treatment to enjoy better hearing and a higher quality of life.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

You can get the best online hearing test information by visiting this website.Further information on hearing clinics can be found there.

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