AUDIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES REQUIRING UNOBSTRUCTED ACOUSTICAL / PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE EAM AND TM
Roy F. Sullivan, Ph.D. (03/31/1996)
A fully or partially unobstructed external auditory meatus is a prerequisite for virtually all audiological procedures. A +2 [see VO-BASED CERUMEN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM} accumulation of cerumen might not interfere with an ENG water caloric irrigation (the irrigation often performing a lavage cerumenectomy). However, in the presence of a Type B (flat) tympanogram, the wax-obstructed view of the TM may prevent a priori determination of a hidden perforation, contraindication irrigation. A +3 earwax buildup will adversely affect all air conduction audiological measurements and hearing aid efficiency. A +2 meatal blockage will interfere with dimensional accuracy in ear-impression taking. Even a modest +1 wax accumulation on the floor of the EAM can totally occlude a real ear measurement probe tube.
AUDIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES REQUIRING ACOUSTIC / PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE EAM AND TM
DIAGNOSTIC
AIR CONDUCTION AUDIOMETRY
IMPEDANCE / ADMITTANCE
OTO-ACOUSTIC EMISSIONS
AIR / WATER CALORIC ENG
ABR W/ INSERT RECEIVER / W/ CANAL ELECTRODES
OTHER
AUDIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES REQUIRING ACOUSTIC / PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE EAM AND TM