Hearing and Balance Center
Albany ENT & Allergy Services PC provides comprehensive audiological, tinnitus, and balance assessments to help diagnose hearing and balance disorders. Our services are provided by licensed doctors of audiology. These include:- Audiological Evaluations for Adults and Children
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BSER)
- Electrocochleography (ECOG)
- High Frequency Audiometric Testing
- Perilymphatic Fistula Testing
- Videonystagmography (VNG)
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)
- Tinnitus Assessment & Treatment
- Aural Rehabilitation
Audiological Service Descriptions
Audiological Evaluation
The purpose of the audiological evaluation is to determine a person’s hearing sensitivity at different pitches/frequencies that are important for speech understanding, and also to evaluate the health of the middle ear. The hearing test is completed in a sound treated room and earphones are typically placed in the ears of the patient. The patient then responds to a series of sounds to determine the degree of hearing sensitivity. The patient is also asked to repeat a series of words in order to determine how well speech is understood. For the young patient games are played that requires a child to respond to sounds that are heard. Immittance testing is completed to assess the status of the middle ear, and also provides information regarding the sensory, neural, and motor pathways. During this test slight pressure is applied to the ear and sounds are presented through an earplug with no required response by the patient.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
Otoacoustic Emissions testing is used to assess the condition of the outer hair cells in the cochlea, which is located in the inner ear. Sounds are presented through earphones. When OAEs are present the ear will emit a tone in response to the stimulation. These tones are measured by a sensitive microphone within the earphone. The presence of otoacoustic emissions supports healthy outer hair cell function. Some common applications include the diagnosis of dysfunction within the inner ear particularly for those with tinnitus and/or a history of noise exposure, newborn hearing screening, and also to monitor effects of certain medications that may damage the inner ear.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BSER)
BSER testing is an objective measure of the status of the auditory nerve pathway from the inner ear to the brainstem. In this test electrodes (similar in appearance to stickers) are placed on a patient's forehead and insert earphones are placed in the ears. While sitting comfortably a clicking sound is presented to one ear at a time.
Results of the BSER are helpful in the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases of the brain (i.e. Multiple Sclerosis), tumors of the eighth cranial nerve (hearing and balance nerve) and vascular lesions (strokes) of the brainstem. BSER can also serve as a means of hearing threshold estimation to determine if hearing is present when necessary.
Electrocochleography (ECOG)
ECOG has a similar set up as the BSER, and is an objective test that records electrical responses of the inner ear. The results are used to help support and monitor the presence of Ménière's disease.
Perilymphatic Fistula Test
Positive and negative pressure is applied to the intact eardrum. Infrared goggles are worn by the patient so that eye movements can be recorded during the test. The patient is monitored for any dizziness or disequilibrium that may occur subsequent to the pressure change.
Videonystagmography (VNG)
VNG is a series of tests used to determine the causes of a patient's dizziness or balance disorder. Movement of the eyes are measured through infrared goggles around the eyes. Rapid eye movements and tracking of visual targets are evaluated as are the effects of positions of the head and body. Lastly, as warm and cool water circulates within the ear canals eye movements are recorded and analyzed.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)
The purpose of VE testing is to assess the function of an organ within the inner ear and a portion of the vestibular nerve. A series of clicks are presented through an earphone. While lying on the back, the patient is asked to keep the head elevated using the muscles of the neck. No preparation is required, however, wearing turtlenecks or tight clothing around the neck should be avoided as recordings will be gathered from the neck and forehead.
Tinnitus Assessment & Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment
The comprehensive tinnitus assessment process includes tinnitus history questionnaires, audiological evaluation extended to the high frequency of 12.5 kHz, tinnitus characterization, and evaluation of tinnitus disturbance and its impact on quality of life. Neuromonics is available for those who are determined to be suitable candidates. Neuromonics is the manufacturer and distributor of the only patented, FDA cleared, and clinically proven non-invasive medical device designed for long-term significant relief of tinnitus. It is a form of sound therapy that specifically targets the neurological, audiological, and attentional basis of tinnitus, and is customized to each patient's unique hearing and tinnitus profile. Neuromincs' goal is to help tinnitus sufferers improve their quality of life and overcome the daily life challenges associated with tinnitus. For more information please visit www.neuromonics.com
Aural Rehabilitation
In order to optimize a patient's listing and communication skills we offer LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) aural rehabilitation. Improving audibility of speech sounds using amplification is a fundamental step towards successful communication. Unfortunately many patients continue to report difficulty listening to the message despite the use of properly fitted hearing aids, as do others with normal hearing. LACE is a self-paced, home-based interactive computer program that p provides training to improve a variety of listening challenges such as listening in noisy places and understanding rapid rates of speech. More information is provided at their website www.neurotone.com
Assistive Technology
Assistive listening devices such as amplified telephone and stethoscopes, TV listening and personal communication systems, and Bluetooth enable devices are available to help meet an individual's unique listening needs. Alerting devices such as smoke detectors and alarm clocks may also be selected to ensure awareness of important environmental signals.
Custom Earmolds
- Swim plugs
- Personal hearing protection devices: hunters, motorcyclists, and multipurpose custom plugs
- Custom in-ear monitors and musician's plugs to provide high fidelity hearing protection without distortion
- Personal earmolds for iPod and MP3 players
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