The Medical City ENT Center
2/F Podium Bldg.

Contact Numbers
(632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 local 6251
(632) 689-8201 (direct line)

Open daily from 8:00AM to 5:00PM except Sundays and Holidays
All procedures are by appointment only.

PATIENT SERVICES

Professional ENT Diagnostic Center

The Medical City's Hearing Diagnosis and Screening Procedures incorporate state-of-the-art assessments to accurately identify hearing issues. Our expert audiologists conduct comprehensive evaluations, ensuring precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.

Pure Tone Audiometry

Pure Tone Audiometry is a key hearing test used to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual. This procedure helps in determining the degree, type, and configuration of a hearing loss, if present. It involves using headphones to listen to different frequencies and intensities of sounds. The test results are plotted on an audiogram, a graph that provides a detailed report of one's hearing ability. It's a crucial tool for diagnosing hearing impairments.

Speech Audiometry

Speech Audiometry is a hearing test that measures an individual's ability to understand speech. It assesses both the threshold for speech recognition and the clarity of speech at higher volumes. The test involves listening to and repeating words or sentences at different volume levels, usually through headphones. The results help audiologists determine the severity and nature of hearing loss, and guide recommendations for hearing aids or other interventions. It's an essential tool in audiology.

Immittance Audiometry

Immittance Audiometry is an objective hearing test that evaluates the function of the middle ear. It comprises three procedures: static immittance, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex measurements. This test helps identify conditions like middle ear fluid, Eustachian Tube dysfunction, and the status of ventilation tubes post-surgery. It provides crucial insights into the status of the eardrum, the three bones in the middle ear, and the air-filled cavity of the middle ear space.

Visual Reinforcement Observation Audiometry (VROA)

Visual Reinforcement Observation Audiometry (VROA) is a specialized hearing test designed for infants and toddlers aged between 7 months to 3 years. It uses visual stimuli, like lights or animations, as reinforcement when the child responds to sounds. This method allows audiologists to assess the child's hearing sensitivity and response in an engaging, interactive manner. VROA is a crucial tool in early detection and intervention of hearing impairments in young children.

Play Audiometry

Play Audiometry is a hearing diagnosis and screening test tailored for children aged between 2 and 5 years. It turns the testing process into a game, encouraging the child to perform tasks like placing a block in a box when they hear a sound. This method helps engage the child, making it easier for audiologists to assess their hearing capabilities accurately. It's an effective way to detect early signs of hearing loss, ensuring timely interventions for improved auditory development.

Otoacoustic Emissions Screening (OAE)/Newborn Hearing Screening Test

Otoacoustic Emissions Screening (OAE) is a newborn hearing screening test widely used in hospitals. It tests the ear's ability to echo back sounds, indicating normal functioning. This non-invasive procedure must be conducted while the infant is asleep. OAE screening is highly sensitive and represents a significant advance in early detection of potential hearing issues. If a newborn fails this screening, further testing may be required to assess their hearing capabilities fully.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is a non-invasive test used to evaluate the neural pathways involved in hearing. It's often used for newborns or individuals who can't undergo standard hearing tests. Electrodes are placed on the head and ears, and clicking sounds are played. The electrodes measure the nerve's responses to these sounds, providing data about how sound travels from the ear to the brain. ABR is instrumental in detecting neurological issues related to hearing.

Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR)

Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) is an electrophysiological test that evaluates the auditory system's response to rapid, repeated stimuli. It provides information about the lowest frequency to which the brain responds, typically a series of clicks. This test is quick, simple, and produces frequency-specific data, making it valuable for early detection and appropriate intervention in hearing impairments. ASSR can assess both ears simultaneously, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's auditory capabilities.

Electrocochleography (ECochG)

Electrocochleography (ECochG) is a diagnostic technique used to measure the electrical potentials generated in the inner ear and auditory nerve. Often utilized in diagnosing Meniere's disease and other auditory disorders, ECochG provides valuable insights into cochlear and neural functions. The test can be invasive, involving a needle electrode passing through the tympanic membrane to rest on the cochlear promontory. ECochG plays a critical role in assessing and monitoring conditions that affect hearing and balance.