Hearing problems have become quite common in the recent past. Hearing loss problems are caused because of multiple factors and usually people do not know when to have it when not to. Hear loss and deafness are two different conditions and they should not be mistaken for to be similar. Hear loss is permanent damage to eardrum or sensory nerves receiving sound signals whereas hearing loss is reduction in hearing capacity which can be treated using some hearing aids. Even listening to loud noises can cause hearing loss of certain level, hence it is important to get tested in order evaluate your auditory capabilities.
Types of Hearing Loss Tests
1. Audiometric method
This is a simple audiometric test that helps to determine the frequency and rage of audio. These frequencies usually range from 250Hz to 8000Hz. In the report of American Hearing Research Foundation, it was noticed that people having hearing disorders can get tested for hearing loss using this method. It requires a simple machine that is available with the doctors in the given field.
2. Tympanometry
This is a hearing test which is used to find out the dysfunction in the middle ear. In a tympanometry test, the doctor evaluates you stiffness in eardrums and diagnosis different sorts of problems related to middle ear. According to AHRF, this type of test used for diagnosis can be used to determine the following ear problems-
- Disruption of ossicles
- Tympanic membrane perforation
- Otosclerosis
- Negative pressure of the middle ear
- Fluid accumulation in the middle ear
3. Pure Tone testing
This test for hearing loss is actually known as pure-one air conduction hearing test. This is responsible to find out the faintest tones that a person can hear. It is also used to understand about the different types of pitches on which the person can go from low to high. People having hearing loss can get this test done to explore their possible frequencies of hearing. Sound is introduced through the headphones and readings are taken for each ear separately. Hearing is considered the first step in knowing the possibility of certain tone.
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4. Speech Testing
Another way to get tested for hearing loss is through speech testing. This is an advance method that comes after the pure-tone test. In this test the doctor or audiologist performs speech testing to know about different thresholds. Sometimes the hearing tests are performed in noisy environment that may disrupt the results. Hence this speech test provides a better environment and understanding of hearing capabilities of the child. If a person is found out to be having hearing problems, then he is suggested a hearing aid to help.
5. Electrocochleography (ECOG)
This is method that is used to evaluate electrical potentials that cochlea creates as it gets exposed to the sound. In this method, the people having hearing disorder are exposed and the disorder can be detected. It is mainly used to detect Meniere’s disease. During this test, the earphones are places in the ear canal and the sound is transmitted. The results gathered from the cochlea are recorded through the electrodes on forehead. It helps to understand the type of hearing disorder, person is going through.
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6. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
In an auditory brainstem response test, the doctor examines the amount of time sound takes to reach from ear to the certain part of the brain. This is an advance method to know about hearing loss pattern and problems. The test is done to understand the pathway through which the brain functions and test is conducted. The purpose of the auditory brainstem response test is to know how much sound is actually reaching your brain which gets processed.
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