Advanced audiometry refers to a range of specialized tests used to evaluate hearing function in patients. These tests are designed to provide detailed information about the patient’s hearing ability, including the type and severity of any hearing loss.

Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is a common type of advanced audiometry that involves presenting pure tones at different frequencies and intensities to the patient, who responds when they hear the tone. This test measures the softest sounds a patient can hear across a range of frequencies, providing information about the degree and type of hearing loss. PTA is often used to diagnose and monitor hearing loss in patients of all ages.

Impedance audiometry, also known as tympanometry, is another type of advanced audiometry that measures the middle ear’s function and assesses the status of the eardrum and the three tiny bones in the middle ear. During the test, a probe is placed in the ear canal, and air pressure is varied while a tone is presented to the ear. This test measures the ear’s response to changes in air pressure and can help identify conditions such as fluid in the middle ear, eardrum perforation, or damage to the tiny bones.

Advanced audiometry may also include other specialized tests, such as speech audiometry, which evaluates the patient’s ability to understand speech at different volumes and in different listening conditions, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE), which measures the sound produced by the inner ear in response to a sound stimulus.

Overall, advanced audiometry is a valuable tool in diagnosing and monitoring hearing loss and other conditions affecting the ear. These tests can help identify the type and severity of hearing loss, assess the function of the middle ear, and evaluate the patient’s ability to understand speech in different listening conditions. By providing detailed information about the patient’s hearing ability, advanced audiometry can help guide treatment and improve the patient’s quality of life.