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.
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.
Some techniques used are testing speech awareness thresholds to get the lowest level at which speech can be heard at least 50 percent of the time. Spondaic words are used as they have equal emphasis on each syllable, are easily understood, and contain information in each syllable that allow reasonable accurate guesses. It is a great test for younger patients, those who speak another language, or those who have neurological damage.
The speech recognition threshold test measures recognition of speech at the lowest level 50 percent of the time and it also uses spondaic words. The softest level words recognized and repeated are tested for, this also offers a pure-tone threshold. Gain can be measured during the selection of hearing aids.
To estimate the ability of understanding and repeating conversation of single syllable words, the suprathreshold word-recognition test is used. This test is also referred to as speech or word discrimination testing. Phonetically balanced words are used and presented by CD, tape, or live and are repeated by the patient. A 2 percent score is given for each correct response and is stopped at 80 percent or continued if needed. Patients can be tested with their hearing aids to show 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.
The word intelligibility test asks children to identify pictures by pointing to them, they are given 25 pages of color pictures each representing a single syllable word. This test is great for for children who are hearing impaired and are 4 years old and up. For children 3 and up the the Northwestern University speech test is a great option. Using both words and sentences, the pediatric speech intelligibility test is for children 3 and up.
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.
Some techniques used are testing speech awareness thresholds to get the lowest level at which speech can be heard at least 50 percent of the time. Spondaic words are used as they have equal emphasis on each syllable, are easily understood, and contain information in each syllable that allow reasonable accurate guesses. It is a great test for younger patients, those who speak another language, or those who have neurological damage.
The speech recognition threshold test measures recognition of speech at the lowest level 50 percent of the time and it also uses spondaic words. The softest level words recognized and repeated are tested for, this also offers a pure-tone threshold. Gain can be measured during the selection of hearing aids.
To estimate the ability of understanding and repeating conversation of single syllable words, the suprathreshold word-recognition test is used. This test is also referred to as speech or word discrimination testing. Phonetically balanced words are used and presented by CD, tape, or live and are repeated by the patient. A 2 percent score is given for each correct response and is stopped at 80 percent or continued if needed. Patients can be tested with their hearing aids to show 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.
The word intelligibility test asks children to identify pictures by pointing to them, they are given 25 pages of color pictures each representing a single syllable word. This test is great for for children who are hearing impaired and are 4 years old and up. For children 3 and up the the Northwestern University speech test is a great option. Using both words and sentences, the pediatric speech intelligibility test is for children 3 and up.
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.
About the Author:
Henan Medical (www.henanmedical.com) provides great deals on equipment like audiometers. If you would like to browse the many selections we have, visit us now at http://www.henanmedical.com.
