Hearing assessment
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 or not.
How does a hearing test work?
Our ears have three distinct parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear (picture below). 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.
What does a hearing test show?
Pure tone audiometry charts the hearing level of different tone frequencies in both ears. On an audiogram chart, red O's indicate the right ear's results and blue X's the left ear's results (see picture below).
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Explanation:
The red line is the right ear.
The blue line is the left ear.
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Hearing loss is often described as follows:
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Normal = less than 25 db HL
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Mild = 25-40 db HL
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Moderate = 41-70 dB HL
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Severe = 70-90 db HL
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Profound = more than 90 db HL
Who performs the test?
An audiologist should perform a hearing test.
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How should I prepare for the test?
There is no special preparation for the test. Try your best to remain still and quiet during the test so that an accurate recording can be made.
What happens during the test?
The audiometry tests are conducted in a quiet soundproof room. Earphones will be placed on your head. You will be asked to sit still and not talk unless asked. The earphones are connected to a machine that will deliver the tones and different sounds of speech to your ears, one ear at a time.
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The audiologist will ask you to push a button or give some sort of signal when you hear a sound.
The audiologist will record each tone at the lowest possible volume that you were able to hear it. Before or after the general audiometry test. Each test evaluates the potential for different kinds of hearing loss.
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To assess speech discrimination, you will be instructed to repeat words you hear. You will hear a series of two-syllable words like numbers at a volume that gradually increases as the test progresses. In the second stage of the test, you will hear and repeat a series of one-syllable words at a volume that does not change during the test itself but afterwards for another test.
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During a tympanometry and acoustic reflex test, a soft plug is placed in your ear. The plug will change pressure, make a humming noise and track the responses of your eardrum to the sound and various pressures. Movement of the eardrum is measured as well as the reflexes of the tiny muscles attached to the ossicles.
What are the risks?
The test carries no risks.
How do I get the test results?
The audiologist will go over the test results with you. A report is sent to your referring physician and you will receive either a hard or soft copy for your own documents. The referring physician will discuss with you what the test results mean for your condition and after that of course your treatment options.