If you have trouble hearing, an ear, nose, and throat physician may recommend a hearing evaluation. An audiological assessment can quantify and qualify hearing in terms of the degree of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss, and the configuration of the hearing loss. The audiological evaluation consists of a battery of tests, each providing specific information about hearing.
Each sound has a certain pitch or frequency. The frequency is measured by the number of waves or cycles that a sound makes in a single second. The scale used to designate cycles per second is called Hertz (Hz). The loudness of a sound, or intensity, is measured in units called decibels (dB).
An audiogram is a graph that helps illustrate usable hearing and the amount of hearing loss for each ear.
On the audiogram to the right, the pitch or frequency of the sounds is charted from left to right (low to high pitch) by the numbers at the top of the grid. The loudness or intensity of the sounds is measured from top to bottom (soft to loud).
An audiologist presents tones one frequency at a time. The softest tone a person can hear at each frequency is marked on the audiogram. This is called a hearing threshold.
Tympanometry is an objective test that examines the middle ear, the mobility of the eardrum, and the conductive bones by which sound is transmitted. A small probe tip is placed in the ear canal while the patient sits quietly, listening to a tone and feeling a slight variation in air pressure.
Our program is highly individualized and incorporates a combination of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and Neuromonics. TRT involves counseling and sound therapy to habituate to tinnitus. Neuromonics is a treatment designed to specifically target the neurological processes of tinnitus, specifically its auditory, attentional, and emotional aspects.
OAE’s are sounds originating in the cochlea, specifically from the outer hair cells that propagate through the middle ear and then into the ear canal, where they are measured with a sensitive microphone system.
ABR is a neurological test of auditory function that measures the timing of the brainstem’s responses to click or tone stimuli, traveling from the outer, middle, and inner ear structures and through and including the brainstem.
***Please be advised that for Infant ABR testing, we need the baby to sleep during testing. We advise parents to keep the baby awake prior to and on the ride to the office.***
Research is constantly providing new information and technology, resulting in changes in cochlear implant procedures and instrumentation. Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians will help determine the best adult, adolescent, and child candidates for cochlear implants.
(ENG/VNG)
Electronystagmography/Videonystagmography (ENG/VNG) consists of a battery of tests used to assess the function of the peripheral and central vestibular systems. Electrodes (ENG) or video goggles (VNG) are used to measure the movements of the patient’s eyes to detect nystagmus. Nystagmus is the only physical sign uniquely linked to the vestibular system, and the ENG/VNG test battery provides a valuable tool in this assessment.
Additionally, ENG/VNG test provides permanent, objective recordings, detects subtle abnormalities of reflex eye movements controlled at the brainstem, and is the only clinical test that can definitely separate one labyrinth from the contralateral partner.
Dix-Hallpike
The Dix-Hallpike test determines whether certain head movements trigger vertigo. The provider will carefully observe if any involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) that may occur during this test to determine if the cause of your vertigo is central or peripheral.
Epley
The Epley maneuver is an exercise used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). When your head is firmly moved into different positions, the calcium crystal (canalith) debris causing vertigo will slip out of the semicircular canal into an area of the inner ear where it will no longer cause symptoms.