Tests To Diagnose Tinnitus - Ringing in the Ears Tinnitus

Tests To Diagnose Tinnitus - Ringing in the Ears Tinnitus

Ringing in the Ears Diagnosis

A person with ringing in the ears, visits their doctor who says it could be tinnitus and refers them to otologist to be diagnosed. The specialist will need to perform a thorough exam complete with medical history, prescription regimen along with other specialized tests to determine what may be the causing their tinnitus.

Tinnitus is usually accompanied with hearing loss therefore an audiogram may be performed to check hearing acuity. Head x-rays may also be ordered to ascertain if any problems in the ear's structure are present. Sometimes depending on x-ray results a MRI or CT scan may also be ordered.

Tinnitus "Ringing in the Ears" Specific Tests

There are several tests which help measure and determine the severity of tinnitus:

1. Evoked Response Audiometry - (Auditory Brain-stem Response (ABR) audiometry) This tests uses clicking sounds to test the auditory brain-stem function. The test is painless and helps measure hearing sensitivity.

2. Tinnitus Pitch Match - This tests uses external tones, patient wears a special headset, to find the pitch that most similarly matches the patients tinnitus. The test is usually repeated several times to get an accurate reading and the test frequencies are in multiples of 1 kHz.

3. Tinnitus Loudness Match - Based on the frequency discovered in the pitch match test the patient is exposed to sound levels in 1 dB steps till the sound equals that of their tinnitus. Researchers say that chronic tinnitus sufferers can identify the loudness within a few dB.

4. Audiometric Bing Test - Minimum Masking Levels (MMLs) This test uses a synthesizer to make a masking sound band that is increased gradually until it makes the sufferers tinnitus inaudible. This result is the end goal though some patients experience no masking to partial.

5. Residual Inhibition (RI) - Taking into account the Minimum Masking Levels recorded in the previous test plus 10dB the patient is exposed to the appropriate masking sound for sixty seconds. This may be done one ear at a time or together. Once completed the patient will be asked how their tinnitus sounds. The general consensus of patients treated was that they experienced an absence or reduction of their tinnitus from seconds to several minutes after being treated.

The Tinnitus Archive can give you more specific information, charts and statistical analysis for each of the tests above they are an invaluable source for tinnitus knowledge.

There is no clinical cure for tinnitus but there is help. Tinnitus specific tests that can help diagnose, evaluate and help prepare a way to treat ringing in the ears tinnitus.

POST COMMENT

LGB: For the Serious Model Train Hobbyist Methods Used In Tinnitus Relief Pure Reduction For Tinnitus Model Train Hobby Shops-the Hobbyist Best Choice Separating Myth From Fact Surrounding Tinnitus Operating your own hobby shop Understanding Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ear A Look At The Best Tinnitus Remedies Treatment For Tinnitus - What Are The Options To Stop The Ringing In Your Ears? Iron Candle Holders For The Vintage Candle Holder Hobbyist Tomato Gardening As a Hobby Hobbyist Collecting of Pins Work From Home On Your Hobbies Making Money Around Your Day Job