Early detection of hearing loss, combined with early intervention, significantly reduces communication delays that commonly accompany hearing loss.

Center for Audiological and Vestibular Services - Audiological Services - Basic Diagnostic Tests

Audiological Services offers several basic diagnostic tests, including:

• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABRs)Tests

For infants 0 - 6 months, behavioral test techniques cannot be used to diagnose hearing loss reliably. OAE and ABR tests, which do not require the infant's cooperation, can be used instead of behavioral tests of hearing for young children and/or children with developmental delays.

• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry

This procedure is used for children in the 6-month to 2-year range. With this technique, young children are taught to turn toward a moving toy every time they hear a sound.

• Conditioned Play Audiometry

This is the test of choice for children in the 2 - 3 year age range. Children are taught to perform a simple task (e.g., putting rings on a peg) every time they hear a sound.

• Computerized Play Audiometry

This test is used with children as young as 3 1/2 -4 years of age and is still engaging for children as old as 6 - 7 years. While some children this age can raise their hand when a sound is heard, they often lose interest quickly. For this reason, our audiologists have developed a computer-based test to make the task more interesting. Children are taught to push a button when a sound is heard. When they respond correctly, a colorful picture appears on a computer monitor.

• Conventional Test Techniques

These techniques are used with older children and adults. Patients are asked to push a button or raise their hand when a sound is heard.

Additional Diagnostic Tests

In many cases, additional tests are necessary to help determine the cause of hearing loss and to guide the course of treatment.

• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test

This test can be used to determine if the tiny hair cells in the inner ear are functioning normally. The procedure is painless and can be performed even within the first day or two of life. To measure OAEs, a miniature earphone and microphone are placed in the ear canal. Sounds are presented and a response from the inner ear is recorded. Patients do not need to respond in any way; they simply need to remain still for approximately 1 ½ to 2 minutes. When testing young children, toys and other visual distracters are used to keep them quiet and calm.

• Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflex Tests

A common cause of hearing loss is middle ear dysfunction. Problems such as fluid in the middle ear, a tear or hole in the eardrum, or problems with the small bones in the middle ear can result in hearing loss that generally can be treated medically or surgically. These tests are used to diagnosis problems in the middle ear. To obtain a tympanogram, a small earphone is placed in the ear canal and eardrum movement is measured in response to air pressure changes. The acoustic reflex test checks the function of a small muscle in the middle ear.

• Speech Perception Tests

When hearing loss is present, it is important to determine how well the patient can understand speech under different listening conditions. A variety of speech perception tests are available to test patients ranging from 3 years through adulthood.

• Auditory Processing Tests

In some patients, the outer, middle, and inner ear appear to function normally, but they still have difficulty understanding speech in certain situations or learning in school. Screening tests for auditory processing disorders can help identify this type of problem so that a referral can be made for further testing.

Specialized Services

Audiological Services offers several specialized services as well, including:

• Custom and Standard Swim Molds

Patients with a perforation (hole) or a ventilation tube in their eardrum often are instructed by their physician to avoid getting water in their ear. Either standard or customized molds can be fitted for this purpose.

• Noise Protection

Repeated exposure to loud sounds can result in permanent damage to hearing. A wide variety of standard and customized ear protection devices are available. For example, specialized devices are available for musicians to ensure that an earplug will not alter the quality of sound.

Hearing Test Locations