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Testing and diagnosis

Diagnostic hearing investigation includes many different tests which form part of a test battery. A selection of tests may be required depending on the referral and information required for a diagnosis.

Different Tests:

Pure Tone Audiogram (PTA)

This is the subjective hearing test. This tests your hearing across a range of calibrated frequencies. It involves listening to sounds via head/earphones and bone conductor transducer and responding by pressing a button every time you hear a sound.

Tympanometry (Tymps)

This is a quick test used to test the function of your tympanic membrane (ear drum) and your middle ear. It involves placing small plugs in your ears.

Acoustic Reflex Testing (ARTs)

This is an extended version of the tympanometry testing and this tests your middle ear muscles reflexes and sound transmission to the brain. It may include listening to some loud noises.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

This is a valuable test that assesses your hair cell function in the cochlear (hearing organ in the inner ear). It involves listening to a clicking sound or a combination of two tones for a few minutes.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) - threshold/neurological/screening

This is a hearing test that assesses sound transmission along the whole hearing pathway, from the ear to the auditory area in the brain.  It involves listening to a clicking sound through headphones. The results are recorded automatically using four sensors that are placed on each ear and on your forehead.

Auditory Cortical Response (ACR/CERA)

This test is very similar to the ABR, but it can give us specific frequency information.

Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR)

Frequency specific stimuli is used with the aim of creating an estimated threshold hearing test.

Speech Testing

This is a test that assesses your ability to understand speech using single words. It involves listening to words and repeating what you have heard to the audiologist who records the results.

Video Nystagmography (VNG)

VNG is a test that measures a type of involuntary eye movement that causes dizziness and help locate the source of it.

Video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT)

vHIT is an instrumented bedside technique used to diagnose reduction in vestibular function in one ear versus the other.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP)

VEMPs are used to assess the balance function of the inner ear, its used to compliment other investigations.

Diagnostic testing as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP)

Every Baby is tested after birth, this diagnostic test is for those babies that fail the screening on the labour ward.

Referrals:

Referrals are received from ENT, GPwSI and GPs

During the test:

The type of tests performed in clinic will depend on the reason for referral and the information requested to obtain a diagnosis and aid in your management. The testing will be fully explained prior to appointment and at the start of the appointment. None of these tests are painful although some tests do take some time and require specific criteria to be met before attendance.

What happens next:

Unfortunately, we will sometimes be unable to give you any immediate results at your testing appointment.  Once you have attended the appointment, the clinician will need to spend some time analysing the results

The results will then be sent to the consultant that referred you for testing and another appointment will be made for him/her to discuss the results with you. 

Diagnosis and identification of possible causes will depend on a thorough history being taken and perhaps a combination of other tests to aid in your diagnosis.