AUDIOMETRY

DR. THAN TUN AUNG

LEARINIG OUTCOMES
1. 2. 3. 4. What is audiometer? What is an audiometric test ? Why its important to you? How to take an audiometric test? a. Pre-test examination b. Audiometric test 5. How to interpret an audiogram? 6. Benefits

1. What is audiometer?
An electrical instrument for measuring hearing activity for pure tones of normally audible frequencies. It is also called sonometer.

Audiometer
Earphones

Audiometer
Clinical and Portable Audiometer

Audiometer
Insert Earphone

Audiometer
Bone Conduction Vibrator

Audiometer
Computerized Audiometer

Test Environment
Sound Treated Booth

Test Environment
Circumaural Enclosures

Test Environment
Quiet Room

2. What is an Audiometric Test ?

A test for determining your hearing sensitivity Determines how well you can hear
A very useful tool in the hearing conservation program
Can identify when your hearing is being compromised

3. Why Its Important to You?

Audiometric testing identifies
Progressive noise-induced hearing losses before they become an impairment Temporary losses before they become permanent, providing time for remedial steps

Without regular audiometric testing you may not know your hearing is being compromised until it is too late!

Purposes of audiometric testing

Monitor the effectiveness of the hearing conservation program Identify significant threshold shift Establish readiness and fitness for duty Ensure proper referral and diagnosis

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4. How to take an audiometric test?

a. Pre-test examination
History taking: The examiner will ask you questions as part of the evaluation
Ear, nose, & throat problems such as colds, infections, and congestion? Noisy hobbies or activities? Time since exposure to loud noise?

Clinical examination: The examiner may also visually check your outer ear canal with an otoscope for
Ear infections Excessive earwax Obstructions in the ear canal

b. Audiometric Test
You will sit in a quiet booth and be equipped with a headset and a signal switch You will hear tones of varying level and frequency You will be instructed to depress the signal switch to indicate a tone was heard Be honest; dont try to anticipate or intentionally miss a tone, or the test will be invalid

5. Interpretation of an audiogram

What is audiogram?
The audiogram is a chart of hearing sensitivity with frequency charted on the X- axis and intensity on the Y-axis. Intensity is the level of sound power measured in decibels; loudness is the perceptual correlate of intensity.

An audiogram

An audiogram

An audiogram

An audiogram

Severity of Hearing Loss

Severity of hearing loss

Hearing Normal Mild loss Moderate Moderately Severe Hearing Loss (dB) 0 to 25 26 to 40 41 to 55 56 to 70 Level Whisper Quiet Speech Normal speech Loud speech

Severe
Profound

71 to 90
91+

Shouting
Road drill

Impairment re: thresholds based on ANSI 1996 Values are based on an average level of hearing at 2, 3, & 4 kHz in either ear.

Normal Hearing

Conductive Hearing Loss

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Mixed Hearing Loss

6. Benefits of Taking an Audiometric Test

Preventing the adverse affects
Tinnitus ringing in the ears Temporary hearing loss
Shouting to communicate with others during and after work

Permanent hearing loss

Isolation from loved ones and everyday life Permanently handicapped, there is no cure Not even hearing aids can restore the quality of life to the level of natural hearing

Is preventive action required?

Use of proper hearing protection devices Removal from high noise areas Follow up exam with audiologist

Taking an Audiometric Test

Miners hearing is precious and we need to work together to preserve their quality of life

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