In order to assess hearing loss, audiometers are used to determine the type and degree of the loss. This machine also shows the tolerance or discomfort to speech stimuli and offers information in the abilities of word recognition. The information from testing can help to determine correct hearing aids or other devices needed for patients with significant losses.
The testing room that is used with an audiometer is split into two, one is a sound-proof room for the patient and the other is where the audiologist sits. In the evaluation room are speakers, earphones, CD's, tape recorders, and the audiometer. Using earphones, various tests are sent through one or both of them to measure levels of speech that can be understood. Some testing is done using a bone-conductor vibrator.
There are various tests used to find out what a person's speech thresholds are, the lowest level that speech can be heard at is tested at a 50 percent awareness level. Words that have equal emphasis on the syllables, or spondaic words, are used because they contain information in each syllable that allows the patient to make a reasonably accurate guess and they are easy to understand. This type of testing is excellent for children, people with neurological problems, and those who speak a different language.
Speech recognition threshold measures the lowest level at which speech can be recognized at least half of the time. Spondaic words are used for this test as well. It determines the softest level that words can be heard and repeated and it validates pure-tone thresholds. It measures appropriate gain during hearing aid selection.
Suprathreshold word-recognition testing estimates the ability to understand and repeat conversational single-syllable words, it is also called word or speech discrimination testing. The words used are phonetically balanced, they are presented by a live person, a CD, or a tape. The patient repeats the words to the audiologist and each correct word is give a 2 percent score. When 80 percent or better is achieved the test is stopped, if lower than this it is continued. This test is also performed with patients wearing their hearing aids to check improvement.
Testing young children requires other methods of testing than with adults. They often have limited skills with language, especially with severe hearing losses. Picture cards are used that represent spondaic words. Children are asked before the testing if they understand what the cards represent for accurate results. A list of words selected especially for children is used for kindergarten through first grade.
A popular test for children is one where they identify cards by pointing to them. Word intelligibility testing consists of 25 pages of colored pictures that represent something named by a monosyllabic word. This test is used for children with hearing impairment and can be used for children ages 4 and older. The Northwestern University speech testing was developed for children 3 and older. Pediatric speech intelligibility testing uses both sentences and monosyllabic words where children point to the appropriate picture, this test is for children ages 3 and older.
Other testing used for children include the pediatric speech intelligibility test, the phonetically balanced kindergarten test, and the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise test. It is best to find out early that a child has a hearing loss so they can have it corrected with hearing aids and speech therapy which will enable them to do well socially and in school. Audiometers are great machines to help determine what kind of assistance is best with the help of a talented audiologist.
The testing room that is used with an audiometer is split into two, one is a sound-proof room for the patient and the other is where the audiologist sits. In the evaluation room are speakers, earphones, CD's, tape recorders, and the audiometer. Using earphones, various tests are sent through one or both of them to measure levels of speech that can be understood. Some testing is done using a bone-conductor vibrator.
There are various tests used to find out what a person's speech thresholds are, the lowest level that speech can be heard at is tested at a 50 percent awareness level. Words that have equal emphasis on the syllables, or spondaic words, are used because they contain information in each syllable that allows the patient to make a reasonably accurate guess and they are easy to understand. This type of testing is excellent for children, people with neurological problems, and those who speak a different language.
Speech recognition threshold measures the lowest level at which speech can be recognized at least half of the time. Spondaic words are used for this test as well. It determines the softest level that words can be heard and repeated and it validates pure-tone thresholds. It measures appropriate gain during hearing aid selection.
Suprathreshold word-recognition testing estimates the ability to understand and repeat conversational single-syllable words, it is also called word or speech discrimination testing. The words used are phonetically balanced, they are presented by a live person, a CD, or a tape. The patient repeats the words to the audiologist and each correct word is give a 2 percent score. When 80 percent or better is achieved the test is stopped, if lower than this it is continued. This test is also performed with patients wearing their hearing aids to check improvement.
Testing young children requires other methods of testing than with adults. They often have limited skills with language, especially with severe hearing losses. Picture cards are used that represent spondaic words. Children are asked before the testing if they understand what the cards represent for accurate results. A list of words selected especially for children is used for kindergarten through first grade.
A popular test for children is one where they identify cards by pointing to them. Word intelligibility testing consists of 25 pages of colored pictures that represent something named by a monosyllabic word. This test is used for children with hearing impairment and can be used for children ages 4 and older. The Northwestern University speech testing was developed for children 3 and older. Pediatric speech intelligibility testing uses both sentences and monosyllabic words where children point to the appropriate picture, this test is for children ages 3 and older.
Other testing used for children include the pediatric speech intelligibility test, the phonetically balanced kindergarten test, and the Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech in noise test. It is best to find out early that a child has a hearing loss so they can have it corrected with hearing aids and speech therapy which will enable them to do well socially and in school. Audiometers are great machines to help determine what kind of assistance is best with the help of a talented audiologist.
0 comments:
Post a Comment