Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate a person’s hearing ability by measuring the hearing threshold for pure tones at various frequencies and intensities. The test is conducted in a soundproof room using an audiometer, with the patient wearing headphones or a bone vibrator to assess air conduction and bone conduction hearing, respectively. During the test, the patient responds when they hear sounds at different frequencies (ranging from 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz) and intensities, helping to identify the softest sound they can detect. The results are plotted on an audiogram, a graph that shows hearing thresholds for each frequency. PTA is commonly used to diagnose the type (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed) and severity of hearing loss.
Impedance Audiometry, commonly referred to as Tympanometry (TYMP), is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the condition of the middle ear and its ability to transmit sound. This test measures the movement of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) in response to changes in air pressure within the ear canal, providing information about middle ear function, eustachian tube status, and the presence of fluid, perforation, or stiffness in the ossicles. Tympanometry involves inserting a small probe into the ear canal to deliver sound waves and vary air pressure while recording the eardrum’s compliance. The results are displayed as a tympanogram, which can indicate normal function (Type A), eustachian tube dysfunction (Type C), or middle ear issues such as fluid or otitis media (Type B).
The Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) test is a quick and non-invasive procedure used to assess the function of the cochlea, specifically the outer hair cells, which play a critical role in hearing. During the test, a small probe is placed in the ear canal to deliver sound stimuli, and the cochlea’s response—known as otoacoustic emissions—is recorded. These emissions are low-level sounds produced by the cochlea in response to the stimuli, indicating that the outer hair cells are functioning properly. The OAE test is commonly used to screen newborns and infants for hearing loss, as well as to monitor cochlear health in individuals exposed to noise or ototoxic medications.
The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), also known as Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA), is a specialized hearing test that measures the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and brainstem in response to sound stimuli. It is a non-invasive and objective test, commonly performed by placing electrodes on the scalp and earlobes while delivering clicks or tone bursts through headphones. The recorded waveforms reflect neural activity at various levels of the auditory pathway, from the cochlea to the brainstem. ABR is particularly useful for diagnosing sensorineural hearing loss, detecting auditory nerve or brainstem pathologies (such as acoustic neuromas), and assessing hearing thresholds in newborns, infants, or individuals who cannot cooperate with traditional hearing tests.
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