Introduction to Audiologic Assessment

Perry C. HanavanAudiologist

What is the purpose of the audiologic evaluation?

A.Measure degree of lossB.Define type of lossC.Determine the medical etiologyD.All the aboveE.A and B

Purpose of Audiologic Evaluation

• Define extent of the loss (degree of loss)– normal, minimal, mild, moderate, moderate

severe, severe, or profound

• Define type of loss– conductive, sensorineural, mixed, auditory

processing, or functional

Additional Purposes

audiologic assessment is first step in audiologic rehabilitation

General Questions

• Why is the person being evaluated• Should person be referred• What is the person’s audibility• What is the etiology• What is the extent of the handicap from the

hearing loss

Question

Is the referral source important?A.YesB.NoC.Maybe

Referral-Source Reasons

• Patient self-referral• Physician referral• Family member referral• Psychologist referral• Other (OSHA, FAA, military, etc.)• Insurance, compensation

Adult Case History

• provides critical identifying information of person, contact information, etc.

• shed light on etiology, time of onset, etc.• prepares audiologist for degree and type of hearing

loss• may suggest progressive, temporary, fluctuating,

permanent, etc., of hearing loss• suggest whether referral to others is necessary

Child Case History

• Speech and language development

• physical development

• psychosocial development

• academic achievement

Other Factors in Case History

• Tinnitus• Balance• Medications• Employment

Lets Play Audiologist• Observations• Case History• Questionnaires (self-

assessments)• Otoscope exam• Video otoscopy• Behavioral• Pure tone• Speech• Immittance• OAE• Evoked potentials

Degree of Loss

• Pure tone thresholds

• Speech thresholds• Evoked potential

threshold estimation

Type of Hearing Loss

• Conductive• Sensorineural• Mixed• Auditory processing

disorder• Functional/organic

Handicap Vs. Disability

• Disability– the functional limitation

imposed by an impairment

• Handicap– refers to the obstacles to

psychosocial function resulting from a disability

Screening Hearing Function• Evoked potentials• OAE• Immittance• Pure tone air• Speech

– Whisper Test– Phonak online speech test

• Questionnaire– Self-survey

• BHI Quick Hearing Check– Risk factors

Observations

Observations

Observations

Observations

Observations

Amy Tan Syndrome