A hearing test also known as an audiometric test is done to examine a person’s ability to hear. Our ears convert the vibrating sounds that are around us in to brain signals. These vibrations have particular amplitude as well as certain frequency for which the ears act as receptors. These waves are then converted into audio signals which are then sent to the brain. Hearing tests measure a person’s ability to hear in many ways. Not only the tests measure the extent to which the sound travels from the ear canal towards the inner ear, it also measures the propagation of sounds within the skull. In Orangeville, hearing testing is mandatory for young children.
In babies as well as young children, hearing loss affects their speech as well comprehensive abilities. Therefore, it becomes extremely important that children are routinely screened, at the doctor’s discretion, for any hearing loss. In addition to children, all adults are regularly put through hearing test in Orangeville if they are exposed to extremely loud noises very frequently or they consume certain medications.
Types of hearing loss
There can be two types of hearing losses; conductive or sensorineural. In cases of conductive hearing loss the passage of sound is blocked to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to some problem in the nerve signals or the brain as even though the sound reaches the inner ear the signals are not processed.
Types of hearing tests
Hearing tests are done by an audiologist and can be done in a hospital, a health professional or by a speech therapist. Hearing can be tested by different types of tests. A type of hearing test is whisper test in which the patient is asked to cover his ear with a finger and audiologists whispers certain words from a set distance. The patient is supposed to repeat the words. There are various levels of this test that are done according to the anticipated hearing loss. Pure tone audiometry test is performed using a machine known as the audiometer. Hearing tests are also performed using tuning forks. If the testing results are not conclusive various more sophisticated tests like speech reception and word recognition test, Auditory Brain Response Test or Otoacoustic Emission Test can be carried out. In Orangeville, all hearing testing is performed at reputed medical facilities.
Most hearing tests are not painful at all and the results are also quick. It is important to ensure that you do not have cold or cough before you take the test and ensure take 24 hours prior to the test you do not expose your ears to any loud noises. Acoustic immittance test and vestibular tests may be performed in addition to the other tests to determine conclusively about the patient’s hearing loss.
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There can be two types of hearing losses; conductive or sensorineural. In babies as well as young children, hearing loss affects their speech as well comprehensive abilities. In Orangeville, all hearing testing is performed at reputed medical facilities.
