Audiology 101 Pt 2 Video

Part two:
So after they map out what your hearing looks like, they talk to you about it and let you know what's going on.

Children are a little different. A four-year-old kid is not going to understand that when they hear the slightest sound, they have to press a button. So depending on whether or not the child is cooperative. If they are, the point is to get them to throw a block into a bucket (or some other version) when they hear the sound. That one is done with the same headphones. That's if they're cooperative...

If they're not, the goal is to check binaural (both sides) hearing. If they have loss on one side, they're not going to be able to localize and determine where the sound is coming from. So without headphones, a sound field is used (speakers in the room). Some sort of stimulus is in the center to keep them focused, and then a sound will be played on either side. If the child looks in the correct direction, they get some sort of visual positive reinforcement like a dancing bear or something. So that's what is done for 2-3-year-olds who don't understand the concept of the game and can't be trusted to play along.

There are a few other tests that are commonly done. One is called Tympanometry. The 'reader' is put in the ear (like all the other tests) and it emits a little sound and when it bounces back, it creates a little graph. The machine looks like a little remote control with an LCD screen. A normal result will have a peak (show picture). An ear that has problems responding, or isn't 'working right', is more flat (show picture). That's also important for if the child has a hole in their ear. I read about a child who had a lot of ear infections and a lot of wax. They put tubes in her ears to drain the fluid from the ear infections, but the wax solidified and it left a hole in her ear drum. It didn't heal in a month, so they needed to go back and have it patched. She didn't really have any other loss besides that, but she definitely had a hole in her ear.

There is another test, called OtoAcoustic Emissions (OAE). Basically what happens is, it's another thing that sticks in your ear, and it sends a sound out and waits for it to be sent back. Your ear drum will send sound back (obviously less), and it's enough to measure. This test is very consistent with audiograms. So a child who won't sit for an audiogram can be monitored through OAE. On the results, there's a line for what was pumped in and what came back out, and the basic goal is to have a big space between. I'm fairly certain it's not standard for adults, just children. When I had it done for curiosity's sake, however, my results were consistent with my audiogram.

I think that's it... I should have covered this at the beginning but frequency = pitch, and loudness = decibels (dB), and 30 dB is the standard threshhold for loss.

So that's it... I'm sorry I couldn't sign this one, I am just NOT that good at ASL. ;) Have a good night!

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Bethintx1: What if one has ringing or a hum in their ears?

mergfkt: I'm not sure about that one! Unfortunately, most of my knowledge is from my Intro to Communication Sciences and Disorders class and also personal experience. We did not cover this topic at length, but I'm sure I'll get it in future classes and I'll be happy to vlog about it then. :) Sorry I don't have more information!

Tar2006: Hiya, I encourage you to check out the term word of " Audism " =)

mergfkt: I'm familiar with Audism, and being an audiologist does not make me an audist. I intend to be a Deaf-friendly audiologist (and researcher) but people who are going to get CIs and HAs are going to get them whether or not I disapprove, so I might as well make the technology as good as possible, right?

mergfkt: I spoke with my mentor about this issue. Typically, if the ringing is there for an extended period (a weekish) then goes away, it's a precursor to loss at a certain frequency. If it's consistent over a long period of time and doesn't go away, it could be neurological or food/medication induced. Even foods such as coffee or chocolate can cause the ringing. If it's very slight & lasts only 20 seconds or so, it's not a precursor to loss & as of now, scientists aren't quite sure why it happens.

Bethintx1: Thanks! I also could be sensitive to emf's I can hear electronic hums when others do not notice it. But lately I've been worried that it's more. I hear it all the time!

mergfkt: If you do not work in a noise-risk situation (construction, concerts, traffic, machinery, etc), and if you constantly hear it even when you're not in the presence of electronics, (and if you have good insurance) I would suggest talking to a neurologist just to rule out the possibility of something going on. Better safe than sorry, right? :)