Symptoms and Tests for Acoustic Trauma
Acoustic trauma is damage caused to the hearing mechanisms of the inner ear, usually resulting from long term exposure to loud noises. This type of hearing loss is sensory in nature and is often caused by explosions taking place near the ear, harsh noises from gunshots, or long term exposure to loud music or machinery.
Symptoms of acoustic trauma
Symptoms of acoustic trauma include tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and hearing loss. Hearing loss from this type of injury is usually partial and involves the inability to hear high-pitched noises. The loss can grow progressively worse.
Tests used to determine acoustic trauma
Doctors first evaluate the needs of the patient by testing for blockage of the patient’s ears, one at a time, and checking the individual’s ability to hear whispers, spoken words, and ticking (using watches or clocks). This enables doctors to determine which further tests need be conducted.
Tuning Fork – A tuning fork may be used by a doctor to test a patient’s ability to hear. It is capable of testing both air and bone conduction.
Audiogram – An audiogram is a common hearing exam that tests one’s ability to hear various sounds based on intensity and tone. Audiograms can detect hearing loss at an early stage.
Intensity is measured in decibels and tone is measured in cycles per second. An audiogram tests air conduction and provides the most precise measurement of hearing.
Patients are tested by wearing earphones attached to an audiometer. One ear is tested at a time.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) – An EEG detects brain wave activity when sounds are made and alerts the doctor to problems in the electrical activity of the brain. EEG’s utilize electrodes, amplifiers, and recording machines to complete testing.
Otoacoustic Emission Test (OAE) – An OAE is the newest type of hearing test being used today and can be used with newborns and young children when standard hearing tests fail to result in useful findings.
The amount and type of hearing loss gives the doctor clues as to the nature of the hearing loss and what the future may look like for the patient.
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