Description of CHEARS Hearing Assessment
Your hearing assessment consisted of several components. A brief explanation of these examinations is provided below:
(1) Otoscopic Inspection:
The audiologist performed a visual inspection of both ears using an otoscope to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum). This was performed to determine whether any conditions that might interfere with your testing were present, such as excess cerumen (ear wax) or eardrum abnormalities. If any abnormalities were detected, this was noted on the study data form.
(2) Tympanometry:
The audiologist performed tympanometry in order to assess middle-ear function. Tympanometry tests the function of the middle ear by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal and measuring the mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the bones of the middle ear. Tympanometry is helpful in identifying middle ear effusions (fluid). If any abnormalities were detected, this was noted on the study data form.
(3) Audiometry – Air Conduction Thresholds:
Your hearing was measured by audiometry to determine how loud sounds must be in order for you to hear them. The pure tone air conduction hearing test measured the faintest tones that you could hear at selected frequencies (pitches), from low to high frequency. You wore earphones for the test so that the hearing in each ear could be tested. The results of your hearing test were reported as an Audiogram.
(4) Audiometry – Bone Conduction Thresholds:
The sensitivity of the cochlea was also tested by placing a small vibrator on the mastoid bone behind your ear to measure the softest sounds that you were able to hear. Sounds presented this way travel through the bones of the skull to the cochlea and hearing nerves, bypassing the middle ear. This type of testing is called bone conduction.
*Please note that data were collected in this study as part of a research protocol; additional information may be required to support diagnostic decision making.*
(1) Otoscopic Inspection:
The audiologist performed a visual inspection of both ears using an otoscope to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum). This was performed to determine whether any conditions that might interfere with your testing were present, such as excess cerumen (ear wax) or eardrum abnormalities. If any abnormalities were detected, this was noted on the study data form.
(2) Tympanometry:
The audiologist performed tympanometry in order to assess middle-ear function. Tympanometry tests the function of the middle ear by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal and measuring the mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the bones of the middle ear. Tympanometry is helpful in identifying middle ear effusions (fluid). If any abnormalities were detected, this was noted on the study data form.
(3) Audiometry – Air Conduction Thresholds:
Your hearing was measured by audiometry to determine how loud sounds must be in order for you to hear them. The pure tone air conduction hearing test measured the faintest tones that you could hear at selected frequencies (pitches), from low to high frequency. You wore earphones for the test so that the hearing in each ear could be tested. The results of your hearing test were reported as an Audiogram.
(4) Audiometry – Bone Conduction Thresholds:
The sensitivity of the cochlea was also tested by placing a small vibrator on the mastoid bone behind your ear to measure the softest sounds that you were able to hear. Sounds presented this way travel through the bones of the skull to the cochlea and hearing nerves, bypassing the middle ear. This type of testing is called bone conduction.
*Please note that data were collected in this study as part of a research protocol; additional information may be required to support diagnostic decision making.*