About Hearing and Balance Testing Almost 1 in 5 teenagers report to suffer from hearing and balance disorders. These disorders have effective treatment options that have been proved to successfully help patients to recover. Hearing and balance testing is performed by audiologists who are experts in the prevention and diagnosis of these disorders.
How We Perform Hearing and Balance Testing Hearing Test: To perform a test for hearing, the audiologist starts with asking questions related to their health. Then an examination of the ears using a device called an Otoscope is performed. The next phase is conducted in a closed, sound proof room. It includes the following tests: pure tone test, speech test and middle ear test. Summing up the above procedure, the audiologist can clearly determine the extent of hearing loss and prescribes adequate treatments. Balance (Vestibular) Test: Diagnosis of balance disorder is quite difficult pertaining to the fact that there are many kinds of balance disorders. After understanding a detailed history of a patient, the physician decides on which test has to be performed for a specific case. Hearing examination, blood tests, audiology tests including a videonystagmogram (VNG), vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), electrochleography and/or imaging studies of the head and brain are some of the tests that can be performed. An electrochleography, which is an inner ear test involving the use of sound stimulation to provide electrical measurements which can be used to assist in the diagnosis of Méniére's disease is an additional procedure that assists in diagnosis.
What Methods Are There? Hearing and balance testing is performed differently for people of different ages. Generally, pure tone test, speech test and middle ear test are carried out to check for the extent of hearing loss in children as well as adults. However, the following vestibular tests are chosen after determining the age group of the patient: » Electronystagmography (ENG) » Electrocochleography (ECOG) » Rotational Chair Test » Posturography » Fistula Test
Potential Side-Effects Hearing and balance tests are very safe and there are rare possibilities of any complications caused by them. You may call the doctor immediately if the following is observed: » Continuous Or Severe Dizziness » Additional Hearing Loss » Pain
Follow-Up For patients who have been diagnosed for hearing and balance disorders must follow the basic preventive measures that are instructed by the doctor. Wearing earplugs around loud noises or wearing hearing aids are advisable whenever required. Exposure to cold and humid air should be avoided.
Dr. Jahangir Sharifi is equipped with the latest advanced technologies to attend patients suffering from hearing and balance disorders. Please contact us at (323) 226-0022 to learn more about our services.