Audiology
The audiologist specializes in the treatment of the hearing
impaired,
particularly problems that cannot be improved by medication or
surgery.
AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES
Diagnostic Testing: Used to identify those individuals who have auditory disorders that may cause a health concern or interfere with their ability to communicate. Includes:
Audiometrics: Air and bone conduction, speech reception thresholds,
and word recognition scores.
Immitance Testing: Includes tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing.
Used to assess the status of the middle ear system and help identify
the source of hearing loss and complaints. These tests also evaluate
the function of the cranial nerves VII and VIII.
Electrophysiology: Used to measure hearing sensitivity
when unable to perform conventional diagnostic testing. Includes:
Otoacoustic emissions test (OAE): Measures
an acoustic response that is produced by the inner ear, which in essence
bounces back out of the ear in response to a sound stimulus. The test is
performed by placing a small probe that contains a microphone and speaker
into the patient's ear. Sounds are generated in the probe and responses
that come back from the cochlea are recorded. Once the cochlea processes
the sound, an electrical stimulus is sent to the brainstem. In addition,
there is a second and separate sound that does not travel up the nerve,
but comes back out into the ear canal. This "byproduct" is the
otoacoustic emission. The emission is then recorded with the microphone
probe.
Auditory Brainstem Response test: A
test for hearing and brain (neurological) functioning. ABR may be used
in the evaluation of hearing integrity and neurologic normalcy in infants
and young children as well as in patients who are comatose, unresponsive,
or impaired due to a stroke,
an acoustic
neuroma, Meniere's disease, etc. The ABR test involves attaching
electrodes to the head to record electrical activity from the auditory
nerve and other parts of the brain.
Vestibular Testing: Using Videonystagmography (VNG) where eye movements are recorded and analyzed during a series of short tests using high tech video goggles with infra-red cameras or Electronystagmography (ENG) which is the same as VNG except eye movements are recorded with surface electrodes placed around the eyes. The VNG/ENG helps us to check the vestibular system as well as the pathways in the central nervous system responsible for connecting the inner ear, eye movement, and the brain, which are essential for your sense of balance. Your physician may order this test if you are having symptoms of dizziness and/or unsteadiness. The ENG/VNG is comprised of many short tests that are analyzed separately and as a whole providing useful diagnostic information.
Main Clinic, 4th floor
6801 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 274-3900 or 800-333-1305
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