AUDIOMETRY

Question 1

Explain the X and Y-axis of the Audiogram, what is it

Answer 1

X = frequency in hertz 
Y= intensity in decibels (db)

Question 2

What are the markings of an O and an X audiogram stands for?

Answer 2

X=left ear

0= right ear

Question 3

How is the frequency of the sound measured?

Answer 3

Hertz

Question 4

How is the intensity of the sound measured?

Answer 4

Decibels

Question 5

What are parts of an audiometer

Answer 5

Transducer (stimulus button), frequency and intensity buttons or dials, right/left ear button, stimulus selector.

Question 6

What is a transducer?

Answer 6

Headphones

Question 7

What are the options for audiometry signal stimulus on format?

Answer 7

Pulsed, steady or FM (frequency modulated) tones. 3 options on most audiometers.

Question 8

How do you perform a biologic check?

Answer 8

Make sure your equipment works adequately

If tones can be heard at 20db HL by someone with normal hearing. Test only in a quiet environment

Question 9

The object of the hearing screening is to what?

Answer 9

For hearing screening pass/fail or for further screening

Question 10

Where to placing the patient in reference to the test equipment?

Answer 10

Set the Patient so that he/she is facing away form the instrument at a 90 degree angle and cannot see what the operator is doing.

Question 11

How do we instruct the patient for a hearing screening?

Answer 11

Give a brief description of what the patient can expect to hear
“I am going to place these headphones on your ears. You will hear a tone or beeping sound, which may be loud or soft. Whenever you hear, or think you hear one of these tones, raise your hand. Lower it when you no longer hear the tone. Listen carefully because some of the tones are very soft.”

Question 12

Headphones are color-coded what do the colors mean?

Answer 12

Red is right

Blue is left

Question 13

How are screenings different from audiograms?

Answer 13

Screenings have pass/fail boxes, while audiograms are whole charts

Question 14

What are the referral criteria for hearing screenings?

Answer 14

• 1. There is a threshold at or above 25 dB HL at 500, 1000 or 2000 Hz in either ear.
• 2. There is a threshold at or above 35 dB HL at 4000 or 6000 Hz in either ear.
• 3. Do not wait to perform a second stage screening on children who fail pure tone screening only – just refer.

Question 15

What to avoid when doing a hearing screening?

Answer 15

• Long screening time – got to be quick can’t take too much time between presentations of tones.
• Unclear directions – always make sure they understand what you want them to do!
• Earphones backwards –which ear is which?
• Child getting visual cues – from you to respond to the sound or see you push the button.
• Tones rhythmic – your in a pattern that’s predictable.
• Talking during the screening – no, no observers :o)

Question 16

Explain the sweep method of a hearing screening

Answer 16

• Set audiometer at 40 dB HL, 1000 Hz, Right Ear-Present tone
• Reset to 20 dB HL, 1000 Hz - Present tone; repeat until responses occur 2 out of 3 presentations.
• Test Right ear - 1000, 2000, 4000, 500 Hz – present tones at each frequency - 2/3 responses
• Test Left ear - 1000, 2000, 4000, 500 Hz – present tones at each frequency- 2/3 responses
• Must hear tone at every frequency to pass
• May repeat a tone
• • When tympanometry is conducted, 500 Hz does not have to be screened

Question 17

What is the 5 up and 10 down rule about?

Answer 17

Drop by 10 and come up by 5 until they hear it. Make them respond 2 times in a row.

Question 18

How is conditioned audiometry done? TEST

Answer 18

Teach the child to drop blocks, put ring on a peg, or build puzzle when they hear a sound→ children 2 ½ to 5 years of age (developmental age)

Question 19

What ages are appropriate for play audiometry?

Answer 19

Can be used reliably for children 2 ½ to 5 years of age (developmental age)