Ask The Experts
Q&A from the most trusted names in audiology.
Should Tympanometry Be Performed in the Absence of Middle Ear Concerns?
June 22, 2009
Is it necessary to perform tympanometry on a patient if there are no middle ear concerns and the audiogram compares well with past audiograms? Read More
Hearing Evaluation - Adults
Furniture in the Test Booth: Less is More
June 15, 2009
Is it possible to have additional furniture in an audiology testing room (with sound field), such as a cupboard? What about posters on the walls? Read More
Hearing Evaluation - Children Hearing Evaluation - Adults Pediatrics
Carhart's Notch - New Research Findings
June 8, 2009
Why does the Carhart notch appear at 2000Hz in otosclerotic patients and at no other frequency? Read More
Hearing and Hearing Loss Hearing Evaluation - Adults
Advantages of Live Speech Mapping
June 1, 2009
My probe microphone equipment does not include live speech mapping and I am hesitant to invest in new equipment just for this one feature. What are the advantages? Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
Rotational Chair Testing and Phase for Unilateral Vestibular Loss
May 18, 2009
With unilateral vestibular loss, what findings might you expect for phase when performing rotational chair testing? Read More
Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders Electrophysiology
Noise Risk from Power Hearing Aids
May 18, 2009
I have always wondered how hearing aids with MPO greater than 90 dB are being used for more than 8 hours a day and are allowed to be dispensed. How is it that power or moderately powered aids can exce... Read More
Hearing Conservation and NIHL Hearing Aids - Adults Hearing Aids - Children Pediatrics
Determining Etiology of Occasional, Brief Tinnitus
May 11, 2009
Is there any way to determine the etiology of occasional tinnitus, i.e. - tinnitus that occurs spontaneously, only lasts a short time, comes and goes and shows no pattern?Even if the patient has heari... Read More
Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Negative Tympanometric Pressure Acoustic Reflexes
May 4, 2009
At what point does negative pressure affect the acoustic reflexes? In other words, how much negative pressure is acceptable to obtain accurate acoustic reflexes? Read More
Hearing Evaluation - Adults
Clinical Significance of Vertical Nystagmus
April 27, 2009
I have been doing ENG for many years using strip chart recorders, and have just switched to VNG. On rare occasions I saw downbeating nystagmus, and more frequently, upbeating nystagmus. Are there time... Read More
Electrophysiology Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders
Auditory Training Software Programs for Adults
April 20, 2009
I'm looking for auditory training software programs designed for use with hearing-impaired adults (and less importantly children). Could you give me the names of companies that offer such programs? Read More
Aural Rehabilitation and Counseling - Adults
Poor Pitch Perception and Poor CI Benefit
April 13, 2009
One of the tests in Sound and Beyond measures pitch discrimination. In our clinic, most CI users score close to 100% on this pretest. Occasionally, students will score at chance. These students tend t... Read More
Cochlear Implants Aural Rehabilitation and Counseling - Adults
REM: Pure Tones v Speech-Like Signals
March 30, 2009
For a long time we have used pure tone sweeps for real ear measurements, but now the signal of choice is speech, or modulated speech-like noise. Theoretically the use of a pure tone sweep could result... Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
Interaction Between the VOR and Pendular Tracking
March 30, 2009
If you ask a patient to move his head in response to the pendular tracking while keeping his eyes on the light, does this give any valid information regarding the Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR)? I wou... Read More
Electrophysiology Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders
Billing for VEMP
March 23, 2009
Our office would like to start performing vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing. Colleagues indicated that we cannot bill third party insurance for this procedure as it is not FDA approv... Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues
Using Compression Adjustment to Fix Loudness Perception Problems
March 16, 2009
When a patient complains that the hearing aid is "too loud," and you are fairly sure it is not for soft sounds, how much should the compression be increased and how much should the MPO be decreased? B... Read More
Hearing Aids - Adults
Audiology Assistants and Support Personnel: Allowed Responsibilities
March 9, 2009
I am an audiologist in Illinois. It would be helpful if we could have our receptionist perform duties such as fitting swim plugs, perform cleaning of hearing aids as well as tubing changes on hearing... Read More
Practice Management and Professional Issues
Rotary Chair Testing in the Pediatric Population: High Gain
March 2, 2009
In pediatric vestibular evaluation, is there any clinical significance of high gain during rotary chair testing? Read More
Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders Electrophysiology Hearing Evaluation - Children Pediatrics
Report Protocol for VNG
February 23, 2009
Can you offer discuss protocol for reporting VNG Results? What types of conclusions are appropriate for the Audiologist to make, and how should they be written? Read More
Electrophysiology Practice Management and Professional Issues Vestibular Issues and Balance Disorders
Ear Impressions for In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Systems
February 23, 2009
Is making ear impressions for in ear monitors (IEMs) different than making ear impressions for hearing aids? Read More
Hearing Conservation and NIHL Earmolds and Ear Impressions
Benefits of Comfort Contego® Digital FM System
February 16, 2009
What are the advantages of a Comfort Contego® digital FM system over a traditional analog system? Read More
Assistive Devices
