Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic tests for ENT disorders

1. PARUL INSTITUTE OF NURSING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS OF EAR

2. OTOSCOPIC EXAMINATION It is a visual examination of the auditory canal and tympanic membrane using an otoscope. It is also part of normal physical examination. It examines infection or blockage due to presence of foreign object or buildup of wax, tympanic membrane of rupture.

3. WHISPERED SPEECH TEST It is a quick screening test for hearing. It is a bedside estimate of hearing impairment in which examiner stands 2 ft from one of the patient’s ear. Examiner whispers a number followed by a letter. An approximate 30 db hearing loss is suggested by inability to hear paired numbers and letters.

4. WHSIPERED SPEECH TEST

5. AUDIOGRAPHY TESTS

6. RINNE TEST It compares air and bone conduction hearing. Strike a 512 Hz tunic fork softly. Place the vibrating tunic fork in the base of mastoid bone. Ask client to tell you when the sound is no longer heard. Place the tunic fork to auditory meatus. Ask the client to tell you when the sound is no longer heard. Note time interval and findings

7. INTERPRETATION

8. WEBBER TESTS It distinguishes between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Strike a 512 Hz tunic fork softly. Place the vibrating fork on the middle of the client’s head . Ask client if the sound is heard better in one ear or same in both ears.

9. TYMPANOGRAM It is test for middle ear functioning. In this a probe will be placed in the ear and cause air pressure. It is a graphical representation of the relationship between the air pressure in the ear canal and movement of the eardrum or tympanic membrane.

10. AUDITORY BRAIN STEM RESPONSE (ABR) TESTING It is a neurological test detects sensorineural hearing loss. It measures auditory nerve reactions in response to sounds. It can be used to detect hearing loss in infants and very young children. Audiologist will place electrodes on child’s forehead and ears, which send EEG readings to a computer.

11. ABR TESTING

12. PURE TONE AUDIOMETRY It is a behavioral hearing test that is designed to measure the severity and balance(unilateral or bilateral) of a person’s hearing loss. It utilizes a series of pure tones presented at selected frequencies within the range if hearing .

13. PURE TONE AUDIOMETRY

14. ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY(ENG) It is a diagnostic test to record involuntary eye movements (Nystagmus). It cam also be used to diagnose the cause of vertigo, dizziness, balance dysfunction by testing the vestibular system.

15. ENG

16. MIDDLE EAR ENDOSCOPY

17. ARTERIOGRAPHY It is used to assess vascular abnormalities in temporal bone.

18. ROTARY CHAIR ASSESSMENT It is used to assess Vestibular function. Rotation of the client in a chair in darkness provides information about vestibular dysfunction and the level of central dysfunction.

19. PLATFROM POSTUROGRAPHY It helps to identify, localize the source of balance disorders. The client stands in a tall box like device while the floor moves. No visual cues are provided and response to correcting balance is recorded. Most people correct posture changes with adjustments in muscles.

20. PLATFROM POSTUROGRAPHY

21. ROMBERG TESTS The Romberg test is a test of the body's sense of positioning (proprioception), which requires healthy functioning of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. The Romberg test is used to investigate the cause of loss of motor coordination (ataxia).

22. MRI & CT It is the test of choice for tumors of the temporal bone. For certain Diagnostic assessment , both MRI and CT scans are obtained.

23. LABORATORY TESTS