Pure tone Audiometry (PTA) is the key hearing test used to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual, enabling determination of the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss and thus providing a basis for diagnosis and management. This test will perform in sound-attenuated room and requires patient’s active participation.

Impedance Audiometry is an objective method based on the measurement of the pressure in the middle ear, stapedius reflexes, and tension of the tympanic membrane. It is one of the most common and most accurate methods for testing the middle ear.

This is the best test for detecting middle ear fluid and other problems of the middle ear. Tympanometry testing does not, show whether hearing is normal or abnormal.

Speech Audiometry determines a patient’s auditory ability using words, which are much more representative of everyday listening experience than pure tones. Measuring the ability to perceive speech gives the clinician a clearer picture of the patient’s functional hearing ability and for diagnosis of certain retro cochlear pathologies (tumors of the auditory nerve, auditory neuropathy, etc.) and tests both peripheral and central systems. It is extremely valuable to predict a patient’s success with hearing aids.

The Eustachian tube (ET) is the main structure responsible for equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment, ensuring ventilation of the air spaces of the temporal bone, and protecting the middle ear from nasopharyngeal secretions.

ET dysfunction may produce negative pressure within the tympanic cavity, resulting in a shift of intravascular fluid into the interstitial spaces and then into the middle ear.

A Tympanometry pressure swallow test is proposed which can be used to assess Eustachian tube function behind an intact tympanic membrane.

Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, learning, and literacy. As such, it is essential to have an audiology evaluation while your child is growing to avoid hearing loss in your child.

An early hearing evaluation can lessen the chances of having a complications with hearing loss in a child before they enter school.

Oto-acoustic Emission (OAE) testing is a quick measure of cochlea (inner ear) function. For OAE testing, a soft probe tip is placed into the ear canal. Sounds are sent through the probe tip into the ear.

When the ear detects the sounds, the cochlea emits a response back that is measured by a sensitive microphone in the probe tip. This response is called an Otoacoustic emission (OAE).

When OAE responses are present, it often means that the hearing is near-normal. There are many reasons why OAE responses might be absent, including middle ear fluid and/or permanent hearing loss.

Your child is set-up for ABR/BERA testing with two electrodes (sensors) on the forehead and one behind each ear. Sounds are played through earphones that fit inside your child’s ears. The electrodes detect how your child’s ears and auditory (hearing) nerve respond to sounds and testing can take several hours.

In most cases the results will be explained to you immediately after the test. ABR testing is done regularly for infants who do not pass their newborn hearing screening.

ABR/ is safe and non-invasive but it can only be completed while your child is sleeping. ABR testing is typically done under sedation

This test involves presenting sounds to a baby and observing their responses. The child and parent is seated in a sound booth. Sounds of varying intensity are presented to the child via calibrated speakers.

The stimulus may consist of Pure tones, Claps, Drum, Squeezers, name call and other sounds.

The audiologist looks for and records the child's responses (Body movements, heart rate, eye movements, etc.) to the softest sounds presented and plots them out on a graph called an audiogram.

A simple self evaluation will provide you some clues. Ask yourself if you experience.

Any of the following:

1. Difficulty understanding speech in quiet situations
2. Difficulty understanding speech in multi-talker situations such as in a group gathering
3. Difficulty understanding speech in background noise
4. Need to turn up the TV volume at higher setting than other family members
5. Friends and family members complain that you do not not hear them
6. Hearing the sound loud enough but not clearly
7. You find that people are mumbling
8. Experience a constant ringing or buzzing sound in your ears

If Yes, then a hearing assessment is recommended.

Based on your concerns, lifestyle goals and the assessment outcome, the audiologist will be able to explain to you your hearing status and suggest recommendations that will meet your specific needs.

Prepare for your Hearing Test:

1. Bring a family member or friend to accompany you if possible, for support and also to be part of the discussion.
2. Know your medical history. Any previous hearing loss, injury or medication that might contribute to hearing issues.
3. Think about where and when it becomes difficult to hear.
4. Share your concerns with our Audiologist.