Audiometers are invaluable in the testing of hearing loss. They allow the audiologist to determine the degree and the type of loss a patient has as well as their discomfort and tolerance to speech stimuli and their ability to recognize words. Information gathered helps in the determination of amplification devices and the proper hearing aids to prescribe.
Testing is done in a 2-room area, one is set up with the equipment and is sound-proof and the other is for the audiologist who is performing the testing. The equipment room has earphones, the audiometer, speakers, tape recorders, and CD's. The patient wears the earphones to participate in the testing, instruction is sent through one or both of them. A bone-conductor vibrator is also sometimes used. Loudspeakers are also used to present material into the sound field.
There are various tests used to find out what a person's speech thresholds are, the lowest level that speech can be heard at is tested at a 50 percent awareness level. Words that have equal emphasis on the syllables, or spondaic words, are used because they contain information in each syllable that allows the patient to make a reasonably accurate guess and they are easy to understand. This type of testing is excellent for children, people with neurological problems, and those who speak a different 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.
Very young children present another challenge for testing as they have limited language skills, picture cards representing spondaic words can be used. Prior to testing the child must understand what the card represents. There is a list of words specifically selected for children in kindergarten and first grade levels.
One test that is often used is the word intelligibility test, it is comprised of 25 pages filled with colored pictures representing something named by single syllable words. This test is wonderful for children who are hearing impaired ages 4 and up. The pediatric speech intelligibility test uses a combination of single syllable words and sentences and is a good fit for those 3 and up. Another good test is the Northwestern University speech test that is good for ages 3 and over.
Some other options for children are the phonetically balanced kindergarten test, the pediatric speech intelligibility test, or the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise test. Early detection will ensure that both children and adults live a normal life, develop socially and academically and are able to communicate with others. A good audiologist makes all the difference when testing with audiometers.
Testing is done in a 2-room area, one is set up with the equipment and is sound-proof and the other is for the audiologist who is performing the testing. The equipment room has earphones, the audiometer, speakers, tape recorders, and CD's. The patient wears the earphones to participate in the testing, instruction is sent through one or both of them. A bone-conductor vibrator is also sometimes used. Loudspeakers are also used to present material into the sound field.
There are various tests used to find out what a person's speech thresholds are, the lowest level that speech can be heard at is tested at a 50 percent awareness level. Words that have equal emphasis on the syllables, or spondaic words, are used because they contain information in each syllable that allows the patient to make a reasonably accurate guess and they are easy to understand. This type of testing is excellent for children, people with neurological problems, and those who speak a different 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.
Very young children present another challenge for testing as they have limited language skills, picture cards representing spondaic words can be used. Prior to testing the child must understand what the card represents. There is a list of words specifically selected for children in kindergarten and first grade levels.
One test that is often used is the word intelligibility test, it is comprised of 25 pages filled with colored pictures representing something named by single syllable words. This test is wonderful for children who are hearing impaired ages 4 and up. The pediatric speech intelligibility test uses a combination of single syllable words and sentences and is a good fit for those 3 and up. Another good test is the Northwestern University speech test that is good for ages 3 and over.
Some other options for children are the phonetically balanced kindergarten test, the pediatric speech intelligibility test, or the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise test. Early detection will ensure that both children and adults live a normal life, develop socially and academically and are able to communicate with others. A good audiologist makes all the difference when testing with audiometers.
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