Kuuloarviointi

Kuuloarviointi, often translated as audiological assessment or hearing evaluation, is a comprehensive process used to determine an individual's hearing ability. It involves a series of tests conducted by an audiologist to identify the presence, type, and degree of hearing loss, as well as its potential causes.

The evaluation typically begins with a case history, where the audiologist gathers information about the individual's symptoms, medical background, and exposure to noise. This is followed by otoscopy, a visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum to check for any abnormalities.

Objective tests, such as tympanometry, are used to assess the function of the middle ear and the eardrum's mobility. Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) can also be measured to evaluate the health of the inner ear's hair cells.

Subjective tests, like pure-tone audiometry, are the cornerstone of hearing evaluation. Here, individuals indicate when they can hear specific tones presented at different frequencies and volumes. This helps map out their hearing thresholds. Speech audiometry is also conducted to assess how well a person can understand spoken words at various loudness levels.

Based on the results, the audiologist provides a diagnosis and discusses potential management strategies, which may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices. Regular kuuloarviointi is important for monitoring hearing changes over time and for early intervention.