Audiometry Test Procedures and Equipment

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Questions and Answers

What is one characteristic of speech testing that must be reported by an audiologist?

Patient's previous hearing history

Patient's age

Intensity level (correct)

Duration of the test

What is a key component of an early hearing, detection, and intervention (EHDI) program?

Diagnose hearing loss by 3 months (correct)

Identify hearing loss at birth

Provide intervention by 12 months

Monitor speech development annually

What is a result of unaddressed hearing loss in newborns?

Improved employment opportunities

Language delays (correct)

Earlier detection of hearing loss

Enhanced cognitive skills

How does an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test evaluate hearing?

By emitting sounds into the ear and measuring the response Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test from the auditory steady state response (ASSR) test?

ABR primarily measures auditory evoked potentials, while ASSR evaluates brain activity over time Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of an Auditory Brainstem Implant?

It typically does not allow for sound discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a goal for fitting hearing aids?

To restore access to speech and environmental sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a common reason for children to reject hearing technology?

Perception of discomfort. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of vestibular disorders?

Environmental noise exposure. Signup and view all the answers

Which test is commonly used to measure eye movements for vestibular dysfunction?

VNG - Videonystagmography. Signup and view all the answers

What does hyperacusis refer to?

An overwhelming sensation to normal sound levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is one element of a tinnitus evaluation?

Medical evaluation for associated conditions. Signup and view all the answers

In relation to vestibular dysfunction tests, what does VEMP stand for?

Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sound tolerance disorder is characterized by a negative reaction to specific soft sounds?

Misophonia. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important characteristic to report in speech testing?

The level of background noise during testing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pure tone audiometry test?

To determine hearing thresholds at various frequencies Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the use of insert earphones in audiometry?

They provide a cleaner signal and block out background noise effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Type B tympanogram indicate?

Fluid in the middle ear. Signup and view all the answers

When is masking required during audiometry?

When assessing for single-sided or conductive hearing loss. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'compliance' refer to in the context of tympanometry?

The movement of the tympanic membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What type of audiology test is appropriate for infants under 6 months?

Behavior observation audiometry (BOA). Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of frequencies is typically used in pure tone audiometry testing?

500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz Signup and view all the answers

When calculating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which mathematical operation is used?

Subtraction of background noise from the signal level. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of tympanogram is characterized by high compliance?

Type Ad Signup and view all the answers

In speech recognition threshold testing, what type of words are primarily used?

Spondees with equal stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for an acoustic reflex test?

85-100 dB SL Signup and view all the answers

What happens during Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA)?

Children play with toys upon hearing specific sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What does the absence of Wave V indicate in an auditory response?

A problem has occurred Signup and view all the answers

Which hearing aid style is most commonly used by children?

Behind the ear (BTE) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid?

Cannot connect to FM systems Signup and view all the answers

Which hearing aid style sits in the ear canal and can be difficult to handle for the elderly?

Completely in the canal (CIC) Signup and view all the answers

How does a bone conduction hearing aid work?

Transmits sound via vibration to the cochlea Signup and view all the answers

What type of hearing aid is specifically designed for single-sided deafness?

Cros/Bicros hearing aids Signup and view all the answers

Which feature differentiates the 'invisible in the canal' (IIC) hearing aids from other styles?

It cannot be seen at all Signup and view all the answers

How does a cochlear implant transmit signals to the brain?

Using electrical signals sent to the cochlea Signup and view all the answers

What disadvantage do completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids face?

Can easily distort sound quality Signup and view all the answers

Which type of implantable hearing device includes a titanium implant secured to the skull?

Ossiointegrated hearing aids (BAHA) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aid?

It uses a wire instead of tubing Signup and view all the answers

What limits the functionality of light-driven hearing devices?

Restricted frequency range Signup and view all the answers

Which hearing aid type is best suited for individuals with conductive hearing loss?

Bone conduction hearing aids Signup and view all the answers

What is one major advantage of Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) over Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)?

ASSR can estimate more specific thresholds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Audiometry Test Environment

Separate from building to reduce outside noise
Quiet environment
Soft surfaces to prevent echoes
Patient sits away from audiologist
Windows to allow visual contact

Pure Tone Audiometry Procedures

Start at 1000 Hz at 30 dB HL
Raise 10 dB HL until a response is detected
Go down 5dB HL
When no response, raise by 10dB HL
Repeat until threshold is detected (2/3 times)
Test frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz

Earphone Types

Supra-aural: Placed over the pinna
- Left and right sides
- Air conduction
Insert: Better for background noise reduction
- Cleaner
- More comfortable
- Left and right sides
- Air conduction
Oscillator: Measures bone conduction
- Bone conduction signals
- Oscillates skull bone

Masking

Necessary when testing bone conduction
Blocking one ear to test the other
Necessary for single-sided hearing loss
Necessary for conductive hearing loss

Audiometry Types

BOA (Behavior Observation Audiometry): Observation of a patient's reactions to sounds.
VRA (Visual Reinforcement Audiometry): Using visual rewards to encourage responses to sounds.
CPA (Conditioned Play Audiometry): Training the patient to perform an action in response to sounds.

Tympanometry

Measures middle ear pressure and compliance.
Normal response is 0.3–3 ml (compliance).
Different peak types suggest different issues.

Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT)

Lowest level where speech is understood
Uses spondee words (two-syllable words with equal stress).
Procedure: start at 30dB HL, increase by 10 dB until words are understood, then decrease by 10dB for correct response, then increase by 5dB.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)

Difference in intensity between signal and background noise.
Calculated by subtracting background noise level from the signal level.

Newborn Hearing Screenings (UNHS)

Components of an EHDI program: Early hearing, detection, and intervention program
Identification by 1 month, diagnosis by 3 months, and intervention by 6 months.
Importance of UNHS: Prevent language delays, speech delays, academic difficulties, and employment issues from unaddressed hearing loss.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing

Screening tool performed usually at birth
Place a probe in the ear canal to emit sound.
Measurements take place as the sound bounces off the tympanic membrane.
Evaluate if hair cell function is normal.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR)

ABR measures auditory evoked potentials (responses from auditory nerve).
ABR electrodes on the patient's skull (CN8); signal into ears, measure the brain waves.
Wave V indicates that signal has passed through the brain stem.
Absence of wave V indicates a problem.
ASSR is similar to ABR but uses repetitive stimuli and can measure frequencies more accurately

Hearing Aids

Different types: Body worn, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)
Differences: Placement, size, and power.

Cochlear Implants

Converts sound to electric signals relayed to the auditory nerve via electrodes.
Helps people with profound hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and single-sided hearing loss.

Implantable Hearing Devices

Cochlear Implant: Electrically stimulates the auditory nerve.
Auditory Brainstem Implant: Sends signals directly to the brain stem.
Middle Ear Implant (Osia): Vibrates ossicular prosthesis to stimulate the inner ear.
BAHA (Ossiointegrated Hearing Aids): Titanium implant behind the ear. Sound processor attaches to the implant.

Goals of Hearing Aid Fitting

Restore access to speech.
Restore and retain clarity.
High intensity remains tolerable.

Hearing Technology Rejection by Children

Reason(s) for rejection: Discomfort.

Vestibular Disorders

Four causes: Disease, toxins, trauma, syndromes.
Five tests: VNG, vHIT, Rotary Chair Test, CDP, VEMP.

Tinnitus Evaluation

Medical evaluation
Case history and environments.
Self-assessment: questions about daily life and sounds.
Use of masking: use masking techniques.

Sound Tolerance Disorders

Hyperacusis: Overwhelming sensitivity to sounds
Misophonia: Negative emotional reaction to specific sounds.

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Description

Explore the essential procedures and equipment used in audiometry testing. This quiz covers the environment setup, pure tone audiometry techniques, types of earphones, and the concept of masking. Perfect for audiology students and professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in hearing assessments.