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.
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.
Testing young children is a bit more difficult and different methods need to be used to get the data required to correct their hearing losses. With limited language skills, picture cards of spondaic words are used. Children will be asked if they understand the pictures prior to testing. These are used for children in kindergarten and first grades.
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.
There are other tests used for children such as the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise testing, phonetically balanced kindergarten testing, and the pediatric speech intelligibility tests. Early testing can insure little loss in academic achievement and social development. Finding a good audiologist will ensure the best results and accurate testing. Audiometers provide this critical information.
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.
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.
Testing young children is a bit more difficult and different methods need to be used to get the data required to correct their hearing losses. With limited language skills, picture cards of spondaic words are used. Children will be asked if they understand the pictures prior to testing. These are used for children in kindergarten and first grades.
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.
There are other tests used for children such as the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise testing, phonetically balanced kindergarten testing, and the pediatric speech intelligibility tests. Early testing can insure little loss in academic achievement and social development. Finding a good audiologist will ensure the best results and accurate testing. Audiometers provide this critical information.
0 comments:
Post a Comment