CLINICAL SERVICES
ABR
- AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE TESTING
ABR
testing is performed on pediatrics
typically to determine amount of hearing/hearing
loss. In most instances, the child
is sedated in our office with chloral
hydrate, which is prescribed by their
ENT or pediatrician. We typically
allow 2 hours for this test, however,
the amount of time it takes to complete
this testing can depend on several
factors.
ABR
is performed on adults typically to
determine whether or not there is
a benign tumor growing on the 8th
cranial nerve of a particular patient.
ENG
- ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY TESTING
ENG
testing is performed on patients with
symptoms of vertigo, disequilibrium,
or imbalance due to an underlying
disease condition. This might involve
the inner ear, the vestibular nerve,
cervical muscles and vertebrae, or
the central nervous system.
HEARING
TESTING (AUDIOGRAMS)
This
test can be performed on adults and
children of all ages. The method used
is dependent upon the age of the patient.
For adults and mot children over 3
years of age, testing includes checking
ability to hear tones and recognize
words at different volumes.
OAEs
- OTOACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
Otoacoustic
emission testing typically takes less
than 15 minutes as long as the patient
is cooperative. We prefer that small
babies are asleep for testing, however,
as long as the patient is quiet and
still results can usually be obtained.
This is a test of cochlear outer hair
cell function. This test is utilized
to provide additional information
regarding the patients hearing abilities.
TYMPANOMETRY
This
is a test of eardrum and middle ear
function. The test takes around15
seconds per ear, as long as the patient
cooperates.
DIX
HALL PIKE AND EPLEY MANUEVER
A
Dix Hallpike test is a positional
test performed to determine whether
or not BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional
vertigo) is present. BPPV is the most
common cause of vertigo and accounts
for approximately 25% of patients
who present with the chief complaint
of dizziness (CHANG, 2000). BPPV causes
dizziness which is thought to be due
to debris (or "ear rocks"
or "otoconia") which has
collected within a part of the inner
ear. Ear rocks are small crystals
of calcium carbonate which are normally
a part of a structure in the ear called
the utricle. Once BPPV is identified
by the Dix Hallpike and patient history,
an Epley Manuever is then performed
to correct the problem. The Epley
Manuever is intended to the "ear
rocks" out of the sensitive part
of the ear (posterior canal) to a
less sensitive location.
INDUSTRIAL
TESTING
We
travel to different companies from
South Georgia to Central Florida to
perform annual hearing screenings.
Whether or not an employee is to be
tested is determined by OSHA guidelines.
CAP
- CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING
We
perform a screening test for CAP in
our office. This screening test typically
takes an hour to complete. We generally
see pediatrics for this test, however,
we can test adults or children. The
test is used to determine a patient
auditory processing ability (IE: they
may have normal hearing acuity and
can detect sounds at a very soft level,
however, once the sound is detected
by the ear it must travel to the brain
via: the auditory pathway.) This screening
test can determine whether or not
their auditory pathway is disordered.
If our screening test indicates a
possible disorder, we refer them to
different centers in town that perform
diagnostic CAP evaluations and offer
treatment for the disorder.
SWIMMOLDS/HEARING
PROTECTION
Custom
fit swimmolds and hearing protection
is also available in our office. Swimmolds
can be made here in our offices for
adults or children. Swimmolds are
made to protect the ear from moisture
when swimming or bathing. We can also
order swimmolds from the manufacturer.
A variety of hearing protection devices
are also offered. We can order custom
fit hearing protectors for musicians,
hunters, or for use at work/home.
An impression is taken of your ear
and sent to the manufacturer.
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