Hearing Evaluation
A hearing evaluation assesses the type of hearing loss and severity of the hearing loss. Testing also measures how well the middle ear is functioning. Hearing evaluations can be performed on infants, children, and adults.
Otoacoustic Emissions
Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) measures the inner ear's response to sound. A small microphone placed in the ear canal measures the response of the cochlea. The patient will hear a series of very soft tones. A normal hearing ear will send the sound back out and record it while an ear that has hearing loss will not. OAE testing does not require the patient to respond. It can be used to assess the hearing of adults and children. It is often used to screen the hearing of newborns.
Auditory Brainstem Response Testing
This procedure is performed at Munson Audiology's Main Clinic located at Munson Medical Center. Auditory Brainstem Response testing (ABR) is used to evaluate the function of the hearing nerve. To measure how sound travels along the hearing nerve, the audiologist places an electrode on the forehead, as well as on each earlobe. Small earphones are inserted into the ears and the patient will hear a clicking noise, which may change in terms of volume. During the test the patient must lie very quietly with eyes closed. The lights will be turned down and it is okay to sleep during the test. The test takes approximately one hour for adults and two hours for children. For infants and children, it is often necessary to deprive the child of sleep prior to testing. If you have other children that need supervision, please bring along another adult to supervise them during the test. Testing can usually not be performed on children who are awake. In some situations, testing is performed under sedation.
Videonystagmography (VNG)
This procedure is performed at Munson Audiology's Main Clinic located at Munson Medical Center. Videonystagmography (VNG) is a series of tests that evaluate how well the eyes, inner ear, and brain help a person maintain balance and a sense of position. VNG measures certain involuntary eye movements called nystagmus. These eye movements occur normally when the head is moved. Spontaneous or prolonged nystagmus may be associated with certain conditions that affect the nerves or structures of the inner ear or brain. During VNG testing, the patient wears goggles that track eye movements. The patient is asked to track some lights and change positions. These motions sometimes trigger vertigo or dizziness. Near the end of the test, the audiologist will induce air (warm and cool) into the ear canal. This may or may not cause dizziness. In most cases, the dizziness is very brief.
Sudden Hearing Loss
*It is important to seek immediate treatment for Sudden Hearing Loss as the sooner the symptoms are treated, the greater the chance of regaining what was lost.* Hearing loss that can be noticed instantaneously or rapidly develops over a few hours or days is considered Sudden Hearing Loss. The severity of the hearing loss however varies from one patient to another, and only one ear is usually affected.