Audiometric Screening Paper

Audiometric screenings are general assessments of hearing loss and can be performed in any clinical setting. Hearing tests may initially reveal a sensory pattern and later show the typical conductive loss pattern. Diagnosis is made by looking at family history, conducting hearing tests, and ruling out any other alternative disorders. Batson and Rizzolo (2017), found that the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version, a commonly used questionnaire that quantifies hearing handicap, is used to accurately correlate to hearing loss verified on audiometric findings.
An audiogram is used to determine type, degree, and configuration of a hearing loss. Early signs of otosclerosis show hearing loss in low-frequency tones. As the disease progresses, an audiogram reveals loss in both high and low frequencies, showing a flat configuration. Bone conduction loss at 2,000 Hz is known as the Carhart notch. This has been considered an indicator of otosclerosis; however, recent research has found the Carhart notch cannot be used to confirm diagnosis in all patients (Batson & Rizzolo, 2017).
Immittance audiometry reveals an As tympanogram indicating a stiff TM due to
In a stapedotomy, a small hole is made in the central aspect of the stapes footplate for the prosthesis without the removal of the structure. This surgery shows similar outcomes to a stapedectomy but with fewer side effects. In their study, the mean thresholds and the short and long-term post-operative hearing results were better in the stapedotomy group than in the stapedectomy group; this difference was not statistically significant. Given the effectiveness and long-term stability of both stapedectomy and stapedotomy, the decision of which technique to perform should depend on the experience and comfort level of the surgeon. (Marchese, Paludetti, & Cianfrone,