The hearing test is the basic requirement to diagnose how your hearing is doing and to prevent future problems and possible corrections.

​

 

Currently, for problems related to hearing loss, there are several hearing tests capable of providing the patient with accurate and efficient diagnoses.

​

Hearing exams can be done in two ways, the first of which is with the patient's participation and collaboration with the help of the examiner. Tests like this depend on factors such as: attention and cognition. Other auditory exams are performed without the patient's active participation, that is, the equipment used in the test reads and captures responses related to the auditory function.

​

Among the auditory exams, the following stand out: pure tone, vocal audiometry, otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potential . Below is a description of some of these exams:

WHAT IS AUDIOMETRY?
Audiometry is the test that detects the patient's ability to hear sounds. There are basically two types of audiometry tests:

​

Tonal Audiometry : evaluates the patient's responses to sounds, emitted at different frequencies, thus detecting the degree and type of hearing loss. It is considered a subjective test because it depends on the respondent's response to the auditory stimuli provided by the examiner. It can be done by common air or bone.

Vocal Audiometry: assesses the ability to understand human speech. The patient will demonstrate his perception and understanding of the human speech emitted by the examiner.

​

HOW IS THE HEARING EXAMINED?

The patient enters an acoustically insulated cabin. Through a glass window, he sees and is seen by the speech therapist. Through the headset, he receives sound stimuli and needs to signal them to the specialist. According to the answers, the diagnosis of hearing loss is made:

​

Below 25 decibels - considered normal;
26 to 40 decibels - mild hearing loss;
41 to 55 decibels - moderate hearing loss;
56 to 70 decibels - moderately severe hearing loss;
71 to 90 decibels - severe loss;
Above 90 decibels - profound loss.

​

​

WHAT IS IMITANCIOMETRY?
It is a quick, painless examination that aims to assess the conditions of the middle ear by providing information about the functioning of the eardrum and ossicles present in this region. The examination is done through a small earpiece inserted superficially into the ear canal.

​

Also called impedanciometry, this exam aims to evaluate the functioning of the structures (tympanic membrane, ossicles, etc.) of the middle ear and the auditory tube. It can be divided into three stages: tympanometry, compliance and research of the stapedial reflex.

 

It is recommended to confirm consistency with pure tone audiometry, treatment control of otitis media (ear with the presence of secretion) and as routine exams in the pre and post-surgery of the middle ear.

​

​