WhatsAppAssessment of Hearing Function
Audiology is a diagnostic discipline that studies hearing and hearing loss. Audiologists do not provide treatment; they support the diagnostic process by passing the results of their assessments to the physicians of the relevant departments, such as ear, nose and throat specialists or neurologists. Starting with newborn hearing screening, which is run in coordination with the paediatric team, a broad range of examinations is offered in the Academic Hospital Audiology Unit.
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What Is Audiology?
Audiology is the clinical discipline that measures and assesses the functions of the hearing system and manages hearing aid fitting. When an ear, nose and throat specialist identifies hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or a balance problem in a patient, they refer the patient to the audiology unit for a detailed functional assessment. Audiologists also carry out newborn hearing screening to identify babies who require early intervention. According to World Health Organization data, more than 430 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss, and this figure is expected to exceed 700 million by 2050. Early audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting and, where necessary, a cochlear implant markedly improve the social communication and quality of life of these individuals.
Which Tests and Assessments Are Performed?
Several tests measuring different aspects of hearing are performed in the audiology unit.
- Pure tone audiometry: Measures the response to sounds at different frequencies (pitch) and intensities. It is the fundamental test for determining the degree and type of hearing loss. It is performed in a soundproof booth with headphones.
- Word discrimination test (speech audiometry): Measures how well the patient can understand speech. It is used in diagnosis, in deciding whether a hearing aid is needed and in planning rehabilitation.
- Tympanometry (middle ear analysis): Measures the pressure in the middle ear and the mobility of the eardrum. It assesses middle ear infection, fluid accumulation (otitis media) and Eustachian tube dysfunction, and is also used in the diagnosis of conditions such as palsy.
- Auditory brainstem evoked potentials (BERA / ABR): Records the electrical response of the auditory nerve and the brainstem to sound. It is used to measure the hearing threshold objectively in babies and in people who cannot cooperate; it is also a test used in investigations such as acoustic neuroma (a tumour of the auditory nerve) and auditory neuropathy.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE): Measures the response of the outer hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea) to a sound stimulus. It is the standard method in newborn hearing screening and is also a valuable clue in the diagnosis of hearing loss in adults.
- Vestibular (balance) tests: Assess the function of the balance organ in the inner ear using methods such as videonystagmography (VNG), the caloric test and VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials). They are used to determine the source of vertigo and balance disorders.
In the Diagnosis of Which Conditions Does It Play a Role?
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Permanent hearing loss originating from the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It may be noise-related, age-related (presbycusis) or drug-induced, and may also be due to other factors; it is defined by audiometry.
- Conductive hearing loss: Arises when the transmission of sound through the outer or middle ear is disrupted. Blockage of the ear canal, perforation of the tympanic membrane or middle ear fluid may be identified.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears): Hearing ringing, buzzing or a pulsing sound in the ear or inside the head without an external sound source. Audiological assessment helps to investigate the possible causes.
- Vertigo and balance disorders: Vestibular tests are used to distinguish between conditions such as Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and labyrinthitis.
- Newborn hearing screening: The OAE test is performed within the first 24-72 hours after birth. Babies who do not pass the screening undergo further assessment with BERA 6 months later.
- Middle ear diseases: Otitis media with effusion, Eustachian tube dysfunction and problems of the ossicular chain are assessed with tympanometry and audiometry.
The Hearing Aid Fitting Process
Hearing aid fitting is an important service area that falls outside the treatment remit of the audiology unit but through which the rehabilitation process is managed.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| The ear, nose and throat specialist or the audiologist determines the indication for a hearing aid according to the audiogram result. A loss of 40 dB or more at the speech frequencies generally calls for the use of a device. Individual characteristics such as age, social status and social relationships are also taken into account. | |
| An in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear (BTE) device is selected according to lifestyle, the degree of hearing loss and the anatomy of the ear. | |
| The device is adjusted on a computer according to the individual's audiogram (fitting). This step is critical for restoring hearing to normal. | |
| In the first weeks the brain needs time to adapt to the new sound environment; during this period the audiologist carries out regular checks and refines the settings of the device. |
When Are the Results Ready?
The results of most audiology tests are assessed and reported within the same session.
| Type of examination | Turnaround time |
|---|---|
| Ready at the end of the same session; the result is interpreted immediately by the audiologist. | |
| The test itself may take 45-90 minutes; assessment and reporting are completed within a few hours. | |
| The result is displayed on the screen immediately (pass / refer). | |
| The tests take 30-60 minutes; the report is ready the same day or the next day. |
Get information about the Academic Hospital Audiology Unit.
Get InformationAudiology at Academic Hospital
The Academic Hospital Audiology Unit carries out a broad range of assessments under one roof, from newborn hearing screening to balance testing in adults. The findings are passed to the physicians of the relevant clinical departments; the unit works routinely with the following departments:
- Ear, Nose and Throat: diagnosis and referral in hearing loss, tinnitus and middle ear diseases
- Neurology: assessment of auditory neuropathy, suspected acoustic neuroma and central balance disorders
- Pediatrics: coordination of newborn hearing screening and follow-up through childhood
- Neonatal Intensive Care: early OAE and BERA assessment in at-risk babies
- Pediatric Neurology: auditory assessment in delayed speech and language development
- Head and Neck Surgery: hearing measurement before and after surgery in patients scheduled for an operation
Frequently Asked Questions
References
The general information given on this page about audiological test methods, types of hearing loss and newborn hearing screening is supported by the reliable health sources listed below.
- National Institutes of Health, "Hearing Loss, StatPearls", ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- World Health Organization, "Deafness and Hearing Loss", who.int
- National Health Service, "Hearing Loss", nhs.uk
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, "Your Baby's Hearing Screening", nidcd.nih.gov
The information on this page is for informational purposes only; it does not replace medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a healthcare institution regarding your complaints.
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