subject: Do You Need A Static Acoustic Impedance Hearing Test? [print this page] Often times, a loss of the ability to hear can be frightening but the use of a hearing test can provide information to your doctor about how to treat the condition and if any permanent damage is expected. Many things can cause damage to the inner ear, where sounds are collected and then transmitted to the brain. If damage does happen, this will lead to limitations on the ability to hear. It can be permanent. One of the screenings used to determine if there is a problem is called a static acoustic impedance screening. It provides doctors with information about the condition of the eardrum.
Who Needs This Screening?
If you have some loss occurring or you have some pain in your ear, it may be a good idea to have this type of hearing test. Most commonly, it is given to those who have been recently exposed to a very loud sound, for example, a gunshot next to the ear. These very loud sounds can instantly damage the eardrum. On the eardrum, there are very small hairs called nerve cells. In those who can hear well, these nerve cells pick up sounds and carry them to the brain. However, when there is damage from loud sounds to these cells, they cannot work properly. In some cases, the damage is even worse.
The goal of the static acoustic impedance screening is to measure the amount of air in the ear canal. By measuring the physical volume of this air, doctors can determine if there is significant damage to the eardrum. This includes determining if there is any perforation of the eardrum present., It is possible that a single loud sound can cause the eardrum to rupture. In addition to this, this screening can also check for the openness of the ventilation tubes within the ear. This can help to pinpoint blockages as well as any type of infection that may be occurring there.
Then What?
If you need this type of hearing test, your doctor may recommend further screenings to determine how bad the condition is. This information will help to determine what specific concerns are present in the ears and what can be done to allow them to heal or improve. These types of injuries often have long term risk and often cause permanent damage to some level.
If you need a static acoustic impedance hearing test, do not worry. There is no pain involved in it. Your doctor will tell you what to expect and what steps can be taken to help you to overcome any problems that are found. Most people will need this test only infrequently.
