Transcript ALTERATIONS IN NEUROSENSORY FUNCTION

Introduction to Auditory Function and Assessment
FUNCTIONS OF THE EAR
 Important for communicating with the world
 Assists in meeting human need for:
- sensation
- cognition
- equilibrium
General Assessment




Patient history
Family history and genetic risk
Current health problems
Physical assessment
-external ear
-otoscope
EAR EXAMINATION
 Otoscope
examining the middle ear (tympanic membrane)
*do not exam the ear when a patient is confused
Auditory Assessment
 Hearing Loss
-Conductive: problem with sound wave
transmission
-Sensorineural: defect in:
the cochlea
the eighth cranial nerve
the brain
 Mixed: profound hearing loss
 Audiometry testing
Audiogram
ADDITIONAL TESTING
Weber Test
-uses a tuning fork to test conduction
Rinne Test
- uses tuning fork to air conduction vs. bone conduction