Tuesday, 8 November 2016

An Overview Of Hearing Evaluations

By Ann Myers


In audiology, hearing refers to the process of perceiving a sound made by someone or something. Examination and assessment on how the ear receives the sound called evaluation is carried out by specialists called audiologists who are doctors with a specialty in the anatomy of the ear. Before evaluations a screening procedure that is fast and does not involve many items is carried out to know the individual with an impairment and those not affected. Interactions with a doctor are necessary to capture information required for hearing evaluations.

The main purposes of evaluations are determining nature and extent of hearing loss that the patient is suffering from. Listening loss is dependent on type, degree, and configuration of impairment. Also, it is done so as to know the cause and the extent of the listening impairment and the major reason being to know the ideal treatment options that are to be applied so as to relieve and eradicate the problem. The audiologist will use an autoscope along with other different tests to evaluate the patient.

Adults and children are subjected to different means of testing. This is because the test is dependent on many factors and mainly the age. Self-assessment is recommended before making an appointment with a specialist so as to be able to give comprehensive details on the problem. Some simple techniques are used to know whether infants and toddlers are okay by observing on how they respond to loud noises using body motions. Various tests are used in the evaluation.

Special tests used in the evaluation include pure tone testing; it works on determining the faintest tone an individual will hear at different frequencies either high or low. A device that resembles the earphone is worn to receive information and convey it to the computer with software that interprets results in an audiogram. At times the audiometry may be visual or conditioned especially when it is for children. In visual, they look at the sound source and respond to the sound while in conditioned they are trained on how to respond to listening a certain voice. The method is effective in ears with waxes and fluid.

Examination of speech and keenly listening is a method widely used. The minimum and maximum limits of voice are noted. This can be achieved in a silent or noisy place so as the get accurate but varying results. Those symptomatic for hearing loss will have a hard time listening intended message, and they are acted upon accordingly by the specialist.

A broad test to check the possible cause of impairment is done on the middle ear. This is because it contains most vital sections that include the eardrum. Fluidity in the ear and also a presence of air during evaluation shows infection. Specific areas are examined keenly. Nervous system plays a role in the conversion of waves into sound by acting as a link for transmission of those impulses before they are translated to sound.

Once testing is done, and evaluation has been completed. The disorder is clearly portrayed as the cause is seen. Treatment to eradicate or relieve the condition is done by either medication, use of technological aids or rehabilitation.in some extents implants are used. Prevention is said to be better than cure hence avoidance of exposure to much noise and precautions in areas of loud voices is critical.

Evaluations are more than just perceiving and general screening it is a process that requires a specialist with much training on the subject.




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