Types of Hearing Tests

A variety of tests* can be done to identify and diagnose hearing loss. The method used depends in part on the age of the individual along with other factors based on specific needs. If you’ve had your hearing checked at an audiologist’s office, you’ve probably received more than one type of test. Here are some of the main types of hearing tests, what they measure and what you can expect if you’re getting one.

Standard Hearing Screening, also known as Pure-Tone Testing – This hearing test determines the faintest tones a person can hear at selected pitches, or frequencies, from low to high. During this test, earplugs or earphones are worn, so that information can be obtained for each ear. The person taking the test will then be asked to respond when they hear a sound. The audiologist may have you respond to the sound in a variety of ways, such as raising a finger or hand, pressing a button, or saying “yes” to indicate that a sound was heard. The sounds played are at different pitches and levels. The results will be recorded on an audiogram.

Speech Testing – This is an aspect of the standard exam where speech discrimination or word recognition is tested. This helps confirm the pure-tone test results and it helps audiologists assess how well a hearing aid can help. The test involves word recognition and repeating words at a comfortable loudness level. It’s also recorded on the audiogram.

Middle Ear Testing – This provides information on how the middle ear is functioning. These measurements include tympanometry (putting air pressure into the ear canal to measure the mobility of the eardrum). This test helps detect fluid, perforation of the eardrum or a wax blockage.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing – This test measures how long it takes sound to get from your ear to the processing areas in your brain. This can reveal if the pathways between the brain and the inner ear are working correctly. An ABR test is performed by placing small electrodes on the head and recording brain wave activity in response to sound. The person being tested is either quietly resting or asleep. A computer averages the information for the audiologist to interpret.

Otoacoustic Emissions Testing – Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) are sounds given off by the inner ear when the cochlea is stimulated by a sound. When sound stimulates the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate. The vibration produces a nearly inaudible sound that echoes back into the outer ear. This sound can be measured by a small probe inserted in the ear canal.

If you believe you suffer from hearing loss, there are multiple tests that can help you find out and get you on the track to better hearing and better health! Please call Evolution Hearing in Charlottesville, VA at 434-260-8007 or at our Raleigh, NC location at 919-670-3258 today to see how we can help.

Content Source Types of Hearing Tests

What is high-frequency hearing loss?

Hearing loss varies by degree and type, but high-frequency hearing loss is one of the most common. Hearing professionals define high-frequency hearing loss as hearing loss that occurs between 2000 Hertz (Hz) and 8000 Hertz. Decreased hearing in this range is often the first sign of hearing loss.

After you get a hearing test, your hearing professional will explain your test results using an audiogram. An audiogram is a graph that shows how well you hear at each frequency, which is important for speech understanding. The audiogram will show hearing within the range of normal, from 250 Hz to 1500 Hz, with results falling outside of the normal hearing range around 2000 Hz.

Difficulty understanding speech

High-frequency hearing loss makes it challenging to understand speech in noise, and the voices of women and children, which are often higher in pitch than men. It can also be difficult to hear sounds like birds chirping, the doorbell ringing or voices over the telephone.

Frictive sounds like S, H and F are high in pitch, which is why high frequencies help with speech understanding. Tiny hair cells inside the cochlea process incoming sounds. High-frequency sounds are processed at the base of the cochlea, while low-frequency sounds are processed near the top. The hair cells at the base are more susceptible to damage, which is why hearing loss often affects high frequencies before low frequencies.

Noise, age, medications, and disease are all factors that can damage hair cells. Age-related hearing loss and noise induced hearing loss often affect the high frequencies first.

How hearing aids can help

Hearing aids are an effective treatment for high-frequency hearing loss. There are many different options available to help correct your hearing, such as open fit hearing aids and custom hearing aids with large vents that will maximize normal hearing in the low and mid-frequency ranges and amplify the high-frequency hearing affected by hearing loss. For more information, call Evolution Hearing in Charlottesville, VA at 434-260-8007 or our Raleigh, NC location at 919-670-3258, so we can help improve your quality of life.

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Hearing Aid North Carolina

Do you have to take help of Assistive Listening Devices?

Do you know someone who has to take help of hearing devices?

The USA has been suffering hearing impairment. The Virginia and North Carolina have been main victims. Also, the big question of your life: Where to Buy Hearing Aids in Charlottesville, Virginia or North Carolina? Or: Where to find good audiologists if you live in Charlottesville, Virginia or North Carolina?

Well, it may be hard to learn the truth, but you may have hearing problem and that too major one. How can this affect your daily life, is listed below:

• Relationships get affected: Your healthy relationship could get affected badly. It may happen that you lose important things of your partner and this could make your partner distant from you.
• You may be as you were before: This isn’t to discourage but you may not be able to enjoy, movies and concerts as ever before. Many people with untreated hearing loss simply stop doing the things they used to do because not being able to hear makes those activities unenjoyable.
• Your career might affect inversely: It may happen that you are kept aloof of promotion if you keep your hearing problem untreated. This could demoralize you and your income might lower as compared to your colleagues.
  
• There is always risk of accident: If you choose to keep your hearing issue untreated, you might welcome accidents. Not being able to hear a car horn, someone calling out to you, or a safety alarm, can increase your chances of being harmed in an accident.
  

Come to Evolution Hearing we provide all kinds of hearing solutions. We also provide you effective hearing aids and devices. Also, we have the talented team of audiologists who will assist you with your listening problems. Do not let hearing problem ruin everything, just contact us.

Types of Assistive Listening Devices

If you are not always able to hear speech as clearly as you would like, an assistive listening device may be able to help. There are many types of assistive listening devices that can enhance your ability to hear live speakers, phone conversations, and television dialogue.

Amplifiers

An amplifier is a device that increases sound levels while reducing background noise. Ideal for carrying with you when you are out and about. Most personal amplifiers are comparable in size to cell phones. Some utilize directional microphones, allowing you to angle them toward the sound source. Theamplified sound can then be received through a connected earpiece or headset.

FM Systems

FM systems can be found in classrooms and other learning spaces. In an FM setup, a speaker addressing a large group wears a microphone, and the captured audio is transmitted over FM radio to listeners wearing receivers tuned to the designated frequency. Personal FM systems for direct conversations are also available.

Looping Systems

An induction loop system uses a thin wire looped around a room to create an electromagnetic field. When audio is transmitted through a microphone or other sound source in the room, the telecoil installed in most hearing aids and cochlear implants will automatically receive amplified sound via this field. For listeners without telecoils, wearable loop receivers are also an option.

An assistive listening device may be the hearing solution for you. For more information on different types of assistive listening devices, call Evolution Hearing in Charlottesville at 434-260-8007.

Source Link:- Audiologists Virginia