Standard and non-routine diagnostics- speech audiometry, VRA, OAE, ABR, VNG, VHIT, VEMP, CERA, eustachian tube tests etc.
Diagnostic Tests
Standard and non-routine diagnostics- speech audiometry, VRA, OAE, ABR, VNG, VHIT, VEMP, CERA, eustachian tube tests etc.
Exclusive Independent Ear & Hearing Clinic, Providing Exceptional Care to All Ages.
Our comprehensive diagnostic tests provide detailed insights into auditory function, aiding accurate diagnoses and guiding effective treatment strategies.
Our diagnostic tests are comprehensive and meticulous, providing detailed insights into auditory function. These tests are instrumental in achieving accurate diagnoses and guiding effective treatment strategies. We utilize cutting-edge technology and our clinical expertise to ensure that our patients receive the most precise evaluations and recommendations for their hearing health.
Hearing Tests
Description: Measures the softest sounds a person can hear across different frequencies (pitches) to assess hearing sensitivity.
Description: Primarily used for children, play audiometry is a game-based hearing test. Children are instructed to perform a task (e.g., placing a block in a bucket) in response to sounds played through headphones, helping to assess their hearing thresholds.
Description: Designed for infants and young children, VRA combines sound presentation with a visual reward. When a child turns their head in the direction of the sound, a visual reinforcement (e.g., a light or animated toy) is activated.
Description: Evaluates the ability to hear and understand speech, often used to determine speech recognition thresholds.
Description: Evaluates the mobility of the eardrum and middle ear, helping to diagnose conditions like middle ear infections or eardrum perforations.
Description: Measures the contraction of the stapedius muscle in response to loud sounds. It is used to assess the integrity of the middle ear and can help diagnose conditions like acoustic neuroma and auditory processing disorders.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing:
Description: Measures the sounds produced by the inner ear in response to external sounds. Used to assess cochlear function.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing:
Description: Records electrical activity in the auditory nerve and brainstem in response to sound stimuli, helpful in diagnosing hearing issues.
Cortical Evoked Response Audiometry (CERA Test)
Description: Cortical Evoked Responses assess hearing thresholds objectively using sound stimulation. Unlike subjective audiometry, this test measures electrical activity in the auditory cortex and hearing pathways, eliminating the need for patient responses. It's valuable in cases where traditional audiometry validity is in question, such as medico-legal evaluations.
The process involves electrode placement on the forehead and behind the ears, connected to a computer for EEG monitoring. In a dark room with closed eyes and headphones, repetitive tone bursts are played, but responses aren't required as the computer records brain activity. The test, overseen by an audiologist, lasts up to 60 minutes, ensuring reliable hearing evaluations.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) Test:
Description: The ETD test evaluates Eustachian tube function, vital for middle ear health. Dysfunction can cause ear pain, pressure, and hearing issues. Methods include tympanometry and forced response tests, assessing middle ear pressure and tube functionality. It's focused on diagnosing Eustachian tube problems like blockages or improper opening or patency of the eustachian tube. The test helps manage conditions affecting middle ear comfort and hearing, including assessing patent Eustachian tubes. Identifying and addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining ear health and hearing function.
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) can manifest as either a closed or patent (open) Eustachian tube, and the indications or symptoms can vary accordingly:
Closed Eustachian Tube (Eustachian Tube Blockage):
Symptoms:
Ear pain or pressure, often described as a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Hearing loss or muffled hearing.
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear).
Discomfort or pain when changing altitude (e.g., during flights or driving in the mountains).
Difficulty equalizing ear pressure (common during scuba diving or when experiencing rapid altitude changes).
Causes:
Closed Eustachian tubes can result from conditions like sinusitis, allergies, respiratory infections, or structural issues. It may lead to a buildup of pressure in the middle ear.
Patent (Open) Eustachian Tube with Dysfunction:
Symptoms:
Chronic ear infections or recurrent acute otitis media.
Frequent ear infections in children.
Fluid accumulation in the middle ear (serous otitis media) that doesn't resolve.
Hearing difficulties, particularly in noisy environments.
Balance problems or dizziness.
Causes:
In some cases, the Eustachian tube may remain open but not function correctly. This dysfunction can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, making it challenging to hear and potentially causing recurrent infections.
It's important to note that Eustachian tube dysfunction can vary in severity, and individuals may experience a combination of the above symptoms. The specific cause and treatment approach for ETD depend on whether the Eustachian tube is closed, open but not functioning correctly, or a combination of both. If you suspect ETD, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or audiologist for a proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
ABLB (Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance) Test:
Description: The ABLB test is used to assess the difference in loudness perception between the ears. It helps identify whether one ear perceives sounds as louder than the other, which can be indicative of a hearing imbalance.
How It's Done: In the ABLB test, individuals are presented with different tones in each ear, and they must adjust the loudness in one ear to match the perceived loudness in the other. This test provides information about the relative loudness perception between the ears.
Stenger Test:
Description: The Stenger test is used to determine if a person is feigning or exaggerating hearing loss. It relies on the principle that when presented with the same sound in both ears, individuals with genuine hearing loss will respond only to the ear with better hearing.
How It's Done: During the Stenger test, the same sound is presented simultaneously to both ears. If the individual responds only to the ear with better hearing, it suggests they are genuinely experiencing hearing loss. Failure to respond to the ear with poorer hearing may indicate malingering.
Weber Test:
Description: The Weber test is a quick assessment of hearing loss lateralization, helping to determine whether hearing loss is predominantly in one ear or both ears.
How It's Done: In the Weber test, a tuning fork is struck and placed on the midline of the individual's forehead. They are asked to indicate whether they hear the sound louder in one ear or equally in both ears. The test results can suggest whether the hearing loss is unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (both sides).
These additional tests contribute to a comprehensive audiological assessment, allowing for a more precise diagnosis of hearing-related conditions and helping audiologists tailor appropriate interventions.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) Testing:
Description: VEMP measures otolith organ function in the inner ear to diagnose balance disorders like Meniere's disease. It assesses the response of neck and eye muscles to specific auditory and vibrational stimuli, providing insights into the health of the vestibular system.
Caloric Testing:
Description: This test involves irrigating the ear canal with warm and cold water to assess the vestibular (balance) system's responses. It helps determine if one ear or the other is underperforming, providing crucial information for diagnosing vestibular disorders.
Rotary Chair Testing:
Description: Rotary chair testing evaluates vestibular system function by measuring eye movements while the individual sits in a rotating chair. It assists in diagnosing disorders affecting the inner ear's semicircular canals and their impact on balance.
Posturography:
Description: Posturography assesses balance and postural control by measuring body sway under various conditions. It helps identify balance issues and provides data for designing targeted balance rehabilitation programs.
Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT):
Description: vHIT records eye movements while rapidly moving the head, aiding in the diagnosis of semicircular canal disorders in the inner ear. It helps pinpoint issues related to the vestibular system's ability to maintain gaze stability during head movements.
Electronystagmography (ENG) or Videonystagmography (VNG):
Description: ENG and VNG are tests that measure and analyze eye movements to diagnose vestibular disorders, including nystagmus. These tests provide valuable data on eye movement patterns and help identify problems in the vestibular system.
Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) Testing:
Description: DVA testing assesses visual acuity while the head is in motion, revealing deficits in visual stability associated with balance issues. It helps identify how well an individual can maintain clear vision during head movements, offering insights into their overall balance function.