Hearing is one of the most important senses in our body. It enables us to communicate and respond. However, hearing loss can develop gradually, which can make it difficult for individuals to identify when their hearing starts to decline. Early detection can prevent damage and help you maintain your quality of life.
Hearing tests such as audiometry and tympanometry play a crucial role in recognizing hearing problems, assessing their severity and determining the most suitable treatment. Here, we will learn about the significance of these tests and how they can improve outcomes for individuals with hearing impairments.
What is Audiometry?
An audiometry test helps check the sensitivity of the individual’s hearing across different sound frequencies. An audiologist usually performs this test in a soundproof room. This ensures that no external noise interferes with the results.
During an audiometry test, the person wears headphones and different sounds like pure tone and speech are played at varying volumes. The patient is asked to signal whenever they hear the sound, and the responses help map the hearing thresholds at different frequencies.
Audiometry offers a comprehensive assessment of a person’s hearing ability. It can help audiologists identify the type of hearing loss- conductive, sensorineural or fixed. This information is vital for determining the appropriate treatment- be it a cochlear implant, hearing aids or other medical interventions.
What is Tympanometry?
Tympanometry helps check the function of the middle ear. This test measures the movement of the eardrum or the tympanic membrane in response to air pressure changes. A tympanometry test can identify conditions that affect the middle ear, like ear infections, fluid accumulation or Eustachian tube dysfunction.
During a tympanometry test, a probe gets placed in the ear and the air pressure is varied within the ear canal. The probe measures how the eardrum responds to changes in air pressure. A healthy eardrum moves freely to changes in air pressure, while an abnormal response may be a sign of problems with the middle ear.
Tympanometry helps assess conductive hearing loss, which happens when sound cannot travel efficiently through the middle or outer layer. On the other hand, sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the auditory nerve or inner ear. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss is easily treatable with medication and surgery.
Conclusion
The results of an audiometry or tympanometry test play a significant role in diagnosing as well as managing hearing loss. So, if you experience hearing problems, book an appointment at our diagnostic clinic in Mukundapur, Long Life Speciality Clinic.