Get the latest audiological treatments for all kinds of hearing loss. AUM Clinic is has technologically advanced equipment for treating both infants and adults.
Hearing loss is a disability that is often neglected by people. Hearing loss in children and adults can reduce the quality of life significantly. Hearing loss can be of various types and occurs due to various reasons including:
This is a combination of causes that lead to both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
AUM provides a whole range of diagnostics and treatment options for hearing loss. With these tests, the exact nature and extent of hearing loss is evaluated and appropriate treatment is provided by our expert audiologists. Here is a list of tests done to diagnose the cause and extent of hearing loss.
It is the key hearing test used to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual, enabling determination of the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss. Thus, providing the basis for diagnosis and management. PTA is a subjective, behavioural measurement of hearing threshold, as it relies on patient response to pure tone stimuli
It helps in diagnosis of high frequency hearing loss, specifically above 8Khz. This helps in early detection of Noise Indused Hearing loss, Hearing loss pertaining to Ototoxicity and in Tinnitus evaluation if high frequencies are involved, these can be assessed at an earlier stage by using High-frequency Audiometry from 8kHz to 20 kHz
Speech audiometry has become a fundamental tool in hearing-loss assessment. In conjunction with pure-tone audiometry, it can aid in determining the degree and type of hearing loss. Speech audiometry also provides information regarding discomfort or tolerance to speech stimuli and information on word recognition abilities.
In addition, information gained by speech audiometry can help determine proper gain and maximum output of hearing aids and other amplifying devices for patients with significant hearing losses and help assess how well they hear in noise. Speech audiometry also facilitates audiological rehabilitation management.
The primary purpose of impedance audiometry is to determine the status of the tympanic membrane and middle ear via tympanometry. The secondary purpose of this test is to evaluate acoustic reflex pathways, which include cranial nerves (CN) VII and VIII and the auditory brainstem. This test cannot be used to directly assess auditory sensitivity, although results are interpreted in conjunction with other threshold measures.
Multi Frequency Tympanometry is capable of distinguishing subtle mechano-acoustical changes in the middle-ear system following middle ear disease which may not be distinguished by conventional tympanometry. This may prove useful in identifying at-risk middle ear systems or identifying persistence of the middle-ear pathology. It is highly recommended to combine conventional 226-Hz tympanometry with Multi Frequency Tympanometry in assessment of newborns, children, and adults.
Eustachian tube connects middle ear to the nasopharynx, maintaining the pressure of the middle ear. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction means that the Eustachian tube is blocked or does not open properly. Air cannot then get into the middle ear. ETF test can help in identifying the functioning of the Eustachian Tube.
In Tinnitus evaluation the individual is undergone an in depth interview regarding how and when the symptoms are seen followed by pitch matching and loudness matching of the Tinnitus.
Short Increment Sensitivity Index (SISI) and Tone Decay Test (TDT) testing’s are the special tests used to differentiate between cochlear pathology and retro cochlear pathology. These are the subjective tests rely on the patients response.
Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) /Auditory brainstem response audiometry(ABR), this test is a neurological test that is done to check the functioning of the auditory brainstem with external stimuli. With the help of an earphone, sounds of clicks are transmitted into the ear of the patient and the hearing sensitivity is measured along with the functioning of the auditory brainstem. The responses are elicited in the waveform measured by surface electrodes typically placed at the vertex of the scalp and ear lobes.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE), are sounds of cochlear origin, which can be recorded by a microphone fitted into the ear canal. They are caused by the motion of the cochlea's sensory hair cells as they energetically respond to auditory stimulation. OAEs provide a simple, efficient and non-invasive objective indicator of healthy cochlear function and OAE screening is widely used in universal new-born hearing screening programmes. As part of the audiological diagnostic test battery, OAEs can contribute to differential audiological diagnosis
Auditory steady state response(ASSR) is an auditory evoked potential, elicited with modulated tones that can be used to predict hearing sensitivity in patients of all ages. It is an electrophysiologic response to rapid auditory stimuli and creates a statistically valid estimated audiogram. The ASSR uses statistical measures to determine if and when a threshold is present and is a "cross-check" for verification purposes prior to arriving at a differential diagnosis.
Vestibular evaluation is done to find the cause of giddiness and vertigo. This evaluation includes Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) and Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT). These tests are done along with a subjective test for detailed evaluation and treatment.
Vestibular Evoked Mayogenic Potentials(VEMP), is a neurophysiological assessment technique used to determine the function of the otolithic organs (utricle and saccule) of the inner ear. This test is performed for individuals who are suffering from dizziness and balance problems.
Video Head Impulse Test(vHIT), is a test that provides useful inputs in determining peripheral vestibular deficits. This test measures the vestibule-ocular reflex in response to the head movements. It helps the audiologist to determine if a patient is dizzy due to vestibular effects or not.
Real-ear measurements are important because they measure how a hearing aid’s intensity (volume) and frequency response (pitch) are affected by your ear. Real-ear measurements allow us to apply the hearing aid fitting to your specific ear. Using real-ear measurements, we are able to measure how your ear affects the intensity and frequency response of the hearing aid and adjust the hearing aid settings based on that response. The results are hearing aid settings that are best suited for the size and shape of your ear and for your hearing loss.
A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound.
A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound.
A successful hearing aid fitting is more than just selecting the correct device for your hearing needs. The hearing aids need to be properly fitted to your ears so that they provide the correct amount of amplification to maximize hearing aid benefit
Prior to fitting the hearing aids, your audiologist will conduct a thorough hearing test to measure the softest sound you can hear at different pitches and record the volume of sound that is uncomfortably loud for you. Based on these tests, your audiologist will know how much gain the hearing aid needs to provide in order to amplify soft sounds so they are audible and how much to compress loud sounds so that they are not uncomfortable.
Different styles of hearing aids, levels of technology, and cost will all be discussed at your Hearing Aid Evaluation appointment. Your various listening environments and expectations of hearing aids will also be discussed. Your audiologist will discuss different features available in hearing aids and make recommendations based on your hearing evaluation and communication needs. You will select the hearing aids you want to order. Earmold impressions will be taken of your ears (if necessary) to order the hearing aids.
At the hearing aid fitting appointment, your audiologist will verify that the hearing aids are providing the correct amount of amplification by doing Real Ear Measures. Real Ear Measures allow the audiologist to know how loud sounds are in your ear canal. First, a thin tube will be inserted into your ear canal. This tube is connected to a microphone that will measure the volume of sound near your eardrum without any hearing aid device in your ear.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy has two main components, Counseling and Sound therapy. During the counseling sessions, tinnitus is demystified and patients are taught about physiological mechanisms of tinnitus and its distress, as well as the mechanisms through which tinnitus habituation can be achieved. The second element of TRT is sound therapy. Constant low level broad band sound decreases the difference between tinnitus-related and background neuronal activity.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It is an exercise-based program primarily designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, and/or imbalance and falls.
For many, compensation occurs naturally over time, but for people whose symptoms do not reduce and who continue to have difficulty returning to daily activities, VRT can help with recovery by promoting compensation.
The goal of VRT is to use a problem-oriented approach to promote compensation. This is achieved by customizing exercises to address each person’s specific problem(s). Therefore, before an exercise program can be designed, a comprehensive clinical examination is needed to identify problems related to the vestibular disorder. Depending on the vestibular-related problems identified, three principal methods of exercise can be prescribed: 1) Habituation, 2) Gaze Stabilization, and 3) Balance Training.
Habituation exercises are used to treat symptoms of dizziness that are produced because of visual stimuli.
Gaze stabilization exercises are used to improve control of eye movements so vision can be clear during head movement.
Balance training exercises are used to improve steadiness so that daily activities for self-care, work, and leisure can be performed successfully.