The extraction of an impacted tooth refers to the removal ..
Book An Appointment
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure involving the........
Book An Appointment
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure involving ...
Book An Appointment
Full mouth scaling is a thorough dental procedure that .....
Book An Appointment
Speech audiometry is a crucial component of audiological assessment used to evaluate a person's ability to hear and understand spoken language. It provides valuable information about a person's speech perception and discrimination abilities. Here are some important notes on speech audiometry: Purpose: Speech Recognition Testing: The primary purpose of speech audiometry is to assess an individual's ability to recognize and understand speech at different loudness levels and in various listening conditions. Diagnostic Tool: Speech audiometry is used in conjunction with pure-tone audiometry (air and bone conduction testing) to diagnose and classify hearing loss. It helps audiologists determine the degree and type of hearing loss, which can guide treatment and intervention options. Components of Speech Audiometry: Word Recognition Score (WRS): This test measures a person's ability to correctly identify and repeat single-syllable words presented at different loudness levels. Results are often reported as a percentage score, indicating the percentage of words correctly repeated. Speech Discrimination Score (SDS): This test evaluates an individual's ability to discriminate between similar-sounding words or phonemes. It involves the identification of phonetically balanced word pairs (e.g., "cat" vs. "hat"). Testing Conditions: Live Voice vs. Recorded Speech: Speech stimuli can be presented either live (spoken by the examiner) or recorded. Recorded speech allows for standardized testing and consistent presentation but may not account for individual variations in speaking style and voice characteristics. Speech Materials: Standardized word lists, such as the Northwestern University-6 (NU-6) or Phonetically Balanced Kindergarten (PBK) word lists, are commonly used in speech audiometry. These lists contain words with equal phonetic difficulty. Loudness Levels: Speech audiometry is performed at various presentation levels, typically ranging from soft to loud, to determine the patient's speech recognition threshold (SRT) and maximum speech recognition level (MCL). Interpretation: Word Recognition Score (WRS): A higher WRS percentage indicates better speech recognition ability. Different ranges of WRS scores are associated with various degrees of hearing loss, with normal hearing individuals typically scoring close to 100%. Speech Discrimination Score (SDS): This score provides information on a person's ability to distinguish speech sounds. A high SDS suggests good discrimination ability, while a low score may indicate difficulty in understanding speech, even if it is audible. Clinical Applications: Hearing Aid Fitting: Speech audiometry is essential in hearing aid evaluations to assess how well a patient can understand speech with amplification. Cochlear Implant Candidacy: Candidates for cochlear implantation undergo speech audiometry to determine their potential benefit from the device. Progress Monitoring: It is used to assess changes in speech recognition ability over time, such as before and after hearing loss treatment or with the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Book An Appointment
Ear syringing, also known as ear irrigation or ear flushing, is a medical procedure used to remove excess earwax (cerumen) or foreign objects from the ear canal. It should be performed by a trained healthcare professional, as improper ear syringing can cause injury or damage to the ear. Here are some important notes on ear syringing: Indications: Excessive Earwax: Earwax is naturally produced by the ear to trap dust and foreign particles. However, in some cases, it can accumulate and become impacted, leading to symptoms such as hearing loss, earache, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. Foreign Objects: Ear syringing can also be used to remove foreign objects (e.g., insects, small toys, beads) that have become lodged in the ear canal. Procedure: Patient Evaluation: Before performing ear syringing, the healthcare professional will evaluate the patient's medical history, symptoms, and the condition of the ear to determine whether the procedure is necessary and safe. Preparation: The patient is usually seated upright or inclined with the affected ear facing upward. A towel or basin may be placed under the ear to catch any discharged fluid. Warm Water: Warm (body temperature) water is typically used for ear syringing. The water is gently and steadily syringed into the ear canal using a specialized syringe or bulb. Irrigation: The water flows into the ear canal, dislodging and flushing out the earwax or foreign object. The patient may feel a sensation of fullness or mild discomfort during this process. Extraction: The loosened earwax or foreign object is then allowed to drain out of the ear naturally, along with the irrigation water. Repeat as Needed: In some cases, multiple rounds of irrigation may be necessary to completely remove the earwax or foreign object.
Book An Appointment
Auditory Steady-State Response assesses the brain's response to continuous or steady-state auditory stimuli, such as modulated tones or amplitude-modulated signals. Key points about ASSR: Frequency-Specific Testing: ASSR can provide information about a person's hearing sensitivity at specific frequencies. By using different frequency-modulated stimuli, it can help identify the degree and nature of hearing loss at different pitches. Objective Assessment: Similar to ABR, ASSR is an objective test, meaning that it does not rely on the patient's subjective responses. Instead, it measures the brain's electrical responses to the auditory stimuli. Applications: ASSR is commonly used in pediatric audiology to assess hearing in infants and young children who cannot participate in traditional behavioral hearing tests, such as pure-tone audiometry. Hearing Aid Fitting: ASSR can aid in the fitting of hearing aids by providing frequency-specific information about a patient's hearing thresholds. This allows for more precise hearing aid programming. Neurological Evaluation: ASSR can also be used in neurology to assess auditory pathway function and diagnose certain neurological conditions that may affect hearing.
Book An Appointment
It is a diagnostic test used in audiology and neurology to evaluate the auditory pathway from the ear to the brainstem. The ABR test measures the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and the auditory pathways in the brainstem in response to auditory stimuli, such as clicks or tones. This test is valuable for assessing hearing function, diagnosing hearing disorders, and monitoring the auditory system's response to various stimuli, especially in infants and individuals who may have difficulty with traditional hearing tests.
Book An Appointment
It is a common and fundamental hearing assessment test used to measure a person's hearing sensitivity or threshold for pure-tone sounds at various frequencies. Pure-tone audiometry is conducted in a controlled environment, typically in a soundproof booth, and is administered by an audiologist or a trained hearing healthcare professional. Here are some key points about PTA: Frequency-Specific Testing: Pure-tone audiometry assesses hearing at specific frequencies (measured in Hertz, or Hz) typically ranging from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz. The test involves presenting pure-tone sounds at different frequencies and varying loudness levels to determine the softest sound that the person can hear at each frequency. Audiogram: The results of the test are usually plotted on an audiogram, a graph that displays the individual's hearing thresholds for each tested frequency. The audiogram provides a visual representation of a person's hearing abilities, indicating the type and degree of hearing loss, if present. Air Conduction and Bone Conduction: Pure-tone audiometry includes both air conduction and bone conduction testing. Air conduction involves presenting sounds through headphones or earphones, while bone conduction testing involves delivering sound vibrations directly to the bones of the skull through a bone vibrator placed on the forehead or mastoid bone. Bone conduction testing helps differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Types of Hearing Loss: Based on the results of PTA, different types of hearing loss can be identified: Conductive Hearing Loss: If the hearing loss is primarily due to problems in the outer or middle ear, sound transmission through the ear canal and middle ear is affected. Sensorineural Hearing Loss: If the hearing loss is related to issues in the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve, it is classified as sensorineural. Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural components. Thresholds and Degrees of Hearing Loss: The test measures hearing thresholds in decibels (dB). The thresholds are categorized into degrees of hearing loss, ranging from normal hearing to mild, moderate, severe, and profound hearing loss, based on the softest sounds that can be detected. Clinical Applications: Pure-tone audiometry is used in various clinical settings, including hearing assessments for individuals of all ages, hearing aid evaluations, cochlear implant candidacy evaluations, and monitoring of hearing changes over time.
Book An Appointment
Purpose: Tympanometry is used to evaluate the middle ear's response to changes in air pressure and sound. It provides valuable information about the mobility of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the function of the middle ear bones (ossicles). Procedure: During a tympanometry test, a small, soft, and airtight probe tip is inserted into the ear canal. The probe is equipped with a speaker and microphone. The test involves the following steps: The probe generates a controlled variation in air pressure within the ear canal. While the pressure changes, the microphone measures the reflected sound waves from the eardrum and middle ear. Graphical Results: Tympanometry produces a graphical representation called a tympanogram. A tympanogram illustrates the compliance (mobility) of the eardrum and middle ear system as a function of pressure changes. The shape and characteristics of the tympanogram provide essential information about the middle ear's condition. Tympanogram Types: Type A: A normal tympanogram indicates that the eardrum and middle ear system respond appropriately to pressure changes. Type B: A flat tympanogram suggests that there may be an issue with the eardrum's movement or an obstruction in the ear canal. This pattern is often associated with conditions like middle ear effusion (fluid behind the eardrum) or earwax blockage. Type C: A negative pressure tympanogram indicates that the eardrum is pulled inward, which can be indicative of Eustachian tube dysfunction or a recent upper respiratory infection. Clinical Applications: Tympanometry is used in various clinical situations, including: Hearing Assessment: It helps determine if middle ear problems contribute to hearing loss. Diagnosis of Otitis Media: Tympanometry can assist in diagnosing conditions like acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion. Monitoring Treatment: It is used to monitor changes in middle ear function following medical treatment or surgical procedures. Complementary Testing: Tympanometry is often combined with other hearing tests, such as pure-tone audiometry and acoustic reflex testing, to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the auditory system.
Book An Appointment
