Audiology

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Ear anatomy

No special preparation is needed.

There is no discomfort. The length of time varies. An initial screening may take about 5 to 10 minutes. Detailed audiometry may take about 1 hour.

This may be a screening test to detect a hearing loss at an early stage. It may also be used when there is difficulty in hearing from any cause.

Common causes of hearing loss include:

• Chronic ear infections
• Ruptured eardrum
• Acoustic trauma
• Occupational hearing loss
• Head injury
• Inherited conditions
• Diseases of the inner ear
• Medications that can be toxic to the nerve of the inner ear, including certain antibiotics (such as neomycin), diuretics, and large doses of salicylates (such as aspirin)

Review Date: 02/19/2007
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.