Ear: Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

process of measuring hearing

instrument to measure hearing

record of hearing measurement

person who specializes in the study of hearing impairments

physical assessment of hearing; useful in differentiating between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss

two-pronged, fork-like instrument that vibrates when struck; used to test for hearing, especially bone conduction

electrodiagnostic testing using computerized equipment to measure involuntary responses to sound within the auditory nervous system - commonly used to assess hearing in newborns

use of an otoscope to examine the external auditory meatus (canal) and tympanic membrane

otoscopic observation of the tympanic membrane as air is released into the external auditory meatus (canal); immobility indicates the presence of middle ear effusion (fluid buildup) as occurs as a result of otitis media

measurement of the compliance and mobility of the tympanic membrane and ossicles of the middle ear by monitoring the response after exposure to external airflow pressures