Diagnostic Studies
Audiologic Evaluation/Hearing Aid Evaluation: The evaluation begins with a standard audiogram to confirm the child’s hearing loss. An audiogram is a graphic representation of a patient’s hearing ability. The hearing range for pitch or frequency is plotted along graph lines. Testing is also performed while the patient is utilizing hearing amplification to determine when sound can be detected. The testing is performed separately on individual ears (monaural) and then simultaneously on both ears (binaural).
Auditory Brainstem Response: (ABR) Tests the patient’s ability to hear soft sounds through miniature earphones. An ABR study records activity in the auditory (hearing) centers of the brain by recording the responses to a series of clicks presented to each ear.
Otoacoustic Emissions: (OAE) Assesses auditory function of the cochlea (organ of hearing). The outer hair cells in the cochlea are directly stimulated to produce sound emissions, which are recorded by a miniature microphone placed within the auditory canal.
Middle Ear Analysis/Tympanometry: Middle ear analysis is performed to assess the status of the middle ear systems. Tympanometry measures pressure changes in the ear canal while sound transmission is monitored and plotted. Acoustic reflex measurements monitor muscle reflex function.
Otolaryngology Evaluation: Following the initial testing stage, the child is referred to our cochlear implant surgeon, Daniel S. Samadi M.D. for a complete head and neck examination. All audiology, medical, and genetic histories are reviewed during this consultation.
CT Scan: Computed tomography of the temporal bone is obtained to visualize the structure of the middle and inner ear.
MRI: In certain situations, MRI evaluation is obtained to visualize the specific channels within the cochlea and to visualize the auditory nerve.
