Audiological Testing
Audiometric Testing is a graphic representation of the softest sounds that
an individual can hear at various pitches.
The Acoustic Reflex (AR) test is a measure of a reflexive muscle contraction
in the middle ear in response to an intense sound. This test is sensitive to
lessions along its path of innervation which includes areas from the auditory nerve
to the brainstem and then back via the facial nerve.
The Acoustic Reflex Decay (ARD) test is a measure of the ability of the muscle
in the inner ear to stay in contraction. This test is sensitive to auditory and
facial nerve lesions/damage.
Auditory Processing Diagnostics include a variety of test materials that look
at how our brain processes incoming sound. Very often a person will have normal
hearing but still have problems understanding what is heard, this type of testing
determines how the system is breaking down. Testing is typically divided between
two test sessions, as a complete assessment lasts 2-4 hours.
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are a weak sound produced by a normal cochlea
in response to acoustic stimulation. The presence of OAEs is suggestive of both
normal middle ear function as well as normal cochlear function in the frequency
regions tested.
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