In order to assess hearing loss, audiometers are used to determine the type and degree of the loss. This machine also shows the tolerance or discomfort to speech stimuli and offers information in the abilities of word recognition. The information from testing can help to determine correct hearing aids or other devices needed for patients with significant losses.
Audiometry is done in a testing room made up of 2 rooms, an equipment room and an evaluation room. The equipment room contains the audiometer, input devices such as microphones, tape recorders, and CD's for testing. Tests are performed using earphones and are sent to one or both of them. They can also be done through a bone-conductor vibrator. Materials can also be presented through loudspeakers in the sound-field.
Speech awareness thresholds are tested to find the lowest point at which speech can be recognized half of the time. Words that have equal emphasis on each syllable are used, they are known as spondaic words and contain information in each syllable and are easy to understand so that there can be a chance of a reasonable guess. This type of test is good for young patients, those who have suffered neurological damage, and those who speak another language.
Speech recognition threshold measures the lowest level at which speech can be recognized at least half of the time. Spondaic words are used for this test as well. It determines the softest level that words can be heard and repeated and it validates pure-tone thresholds. It measures appropriate gain during hearing aid selection.
Suprathreshold word-recognition testing estimates the ability to understand and repeat conversational single-syllable words, it is also called word or speech discrimination testing. The words used are phonetically balanced, they are presented by a live person, a CD, or a tape. The patient repeats the words to the audiologist and each correct word is give a 2 percent score. When 80 percent or better is achieved the test is stopped, if lower than this it is continued. This test is also performed with patients wearing their hearing aids to check improvement.
Testing young children requires other methods of testing than with adults. They often have limited skills with language, especially with severe hearing losses. Picture cards are used that represent spondaic words. Children are asked before the testing if they understand what the cards represent for accurate results. A list of words selected especially for children is used for kindergarten through first grade.
A popular test for children is one where they identify cards by pointing to them. Word intelligibility testing consists of 25 pages of colored pictures that represent something named by a monosyllabic word. This test is used for children with hearing impairment and can be used for children ages 4 and older. The Northwestern University speech testing was developed for children 3 and older. Pediatric speech intelligibility testing uses both sentences and monosyllabic words where children point to the appropriate picture, this test is for children ages 3 and older.
There are other tests used for children such as the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise testing, phonetically balanced kindergarten testing, and the pediatric speech intelligibility tests. Early testing can insure little loss in academic achievement and social development. Finding a good audiologist will ensure the best results and accurate testing. Audiometers provide this critical information.
Audiometry is done in a testing room made up of 2 rooms, an equipment room and an evaluation room. The equipment room contains the audiometer, input devices such as microphones, tape recorders, and CD's for testing. Tests are performed using earphones and are sent to one or both of them. They can also be done through a bone-conductor vibrator. Materials can also be presented through loudspeakers in the sound-field.
Speech awareness thresholds are tested to find the lowest point at which speech can be recognized half of the time. Words that have equal emphasis on each syllable are used, they are known as spondaic words and contain information in each syllable and are easy to understand so that there can be a chance of a reasonable guess. This type of test is good for young patients, those who have suffered neurological damage, and those who speak another language.
Speech recognition threshold measures the lowest level at which speech can be recognized at least half of the time. Spondaic words are used for this test as well. It determines the softest level that words can be heard and repeated and it validates pure-tone thresholds. It measures appropriate gain during hearing aid selection.
Suprathreshold word-recognition testing estimates the ability to understand and repeat conversational single-syllable words, it is also called word or speech discrimination testing. The words used are phonetically balanced, they are presented by a live person, a CD, or a tape. The patient repeats the words to the audiologist and each correct word is give a 2 percent score. When 80 percent or better is achieved the test is stopped, if lower than this it is continued. This test is also performed with patients wearing their hearing aids to check improvement.
Testing young children requires other methods of testing than with adults. They often have limited skills with language, especially with severe hearing losses. Picture cards are used that represent spondaic words. Children are asked before the testing if they understand what the cards represent for accurate results. A list of words selected especially for children is used for kindergarten through first grade.
A popular test for children is one where they identify cards by pointing to them. Word intelligibility testing consists of 25 pages of colored pictures that represent something named by a monosyllabic word. This test is used for children with hearing impairment and can be used for children ages 4 and older. The Northwestern University speech testing was developed for children 3 and older. Pediatric speech intelligibility testing uses both sentences and monosyllabic words where children point to the appropriate picture, this test is for children ages 3 and older.
There are other tests used for children such as the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise testing, phonetically balanced kindergarten testing, and the pediatric speech intelligibility tests. Early testing can insure little loss in academic achievement and social development. Finding a good audiologist will ensure the best results and accurate testing. Audiometers provide this critical information.
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