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Modern technological advancements at the Hearing and Balance Center include a broad array of diagnostic testing equipment. Among the many tests offered are audiograms for determining basic hearing ability and word recognition, middle ear analysis for evaluating the mechanical functioning of the eardrum and bones of the middle ear, and special tests to identify abnormalities in the hearing pathway.
These tests are most helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of neural hearing loss, eardrum or middle ear bone problems, acoustic tumors, multiple sclerosis, central auditory processing abnormalities and Meniere's disease, which is a relatively common, disabling inner ear disorder characterized by severe attacks of dizziness, ringing in the ears and hearing loss.
The center also provides comprehensive evaluation of patients with dizziness, loss of equilibrium and other balance or vestibular disorders. Listed below are the tests conducted at the center.
Ocular motor screening and position testing
Hearing and Balance Center staff members use visual stimuli and computer analysis to evaluate the patient's eye movement and control system. Responses indicate imbalances that may point to balance problems.
Caloric Testing
The patient's inner ear is stimulated with warm water and cold water while recording his eye movements.
Rotational Testing
The patient sits in a rotating chair while his eye movements are recorded by a computer. Because rotation naturally stimulates the inner ear, the results help to determine how the central nervous system processes information.
Posturography Testing
The patient stands on a computer-controlled moving platform to evaluate the effects on his sight, body movement and balance.
Vestibular Autorotation Test (VAT)
The patient wears a lightweight apparatus on his head, which is connected to a physician's computer. The patient focuses on a target and moves his head from side to side, comparing eye movements to head motion. In 18 seconds, the physician has enough information about the patient's balance reflex system to make a thorough diagnosis of his condition. The VAT also is portable and can be taken to the patient for convenient, cost effective screening.
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