Pure Tone Audiometry - Test Preparation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to Pure Tone Audiometry Test Preparation, including equipment, environment, infection control, and patient interaction.

Pure Tone Audiometry Test Preparation

Involves equipment required, equipment and supply check, infection control, patient chart review, and informal observation and interaction with the patient.

Equipment Required for Audiometry

Includes an audiometer, headphones or earphones, and a sound treated test booth with permissible background noise levels.

Test Environment (Audiometry)

Must be clean, clear of debris, have necessary supplies on hand, hygienic wipes available, and comfortable conditions (temperature and seating).

Patient Positioning (Audiometry)

The patient should be positioned about 45 to 90 degrees away from the test window to avoid visual cues.

Daily Listening Checks

A procedure to verify audiometry equipment status, ensuring proper pure tone and speech emission at accurate intensity, signal delivery via selected transducer, and distortion-free signals.

Audiometer (Function)

A device used to produce pure tones at selected frequencies, change the intensity of signals, select how signals are delivered, and direct signals to a desired location.

Oscillator (Audiometer Component)

Selects the frequency of the pure tone.

Attenuator (Audiometer Component)

Changes the dB HL (intensity) of the signal.

Transducer Selector (Audiometer Component)

Selects how the signal is delivered to the ear.

Transducers (Audiometry)

Devices like insert earphones, supra-aural headphones, circumaural headphones, and bone vibrators that deliver sound to the ear.

Insert Earphones

Disposable transducers that open the ear canal and help prevent collapsing ear canals, offering good infection control.

Bone Vibrator

A transducer placed on the mastoid or forehead to test bone conduction by sending vibrations through the skull.

Infection Control (Audiology)

Protocols and measures implemented in audiology to protect patients, audiologists, and staff from infections, bacteria, and viruses, with standards set by the EPA and OSHA.

Contamination of Medical Instruments

The presence of fungal growth and bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, found on audiology instruments and hearing aids, indicating disease transmission risk.

Personal Barriers (Audiology)

Protective gear including appropriately fitted gloves, safety glasses, masks, and sometimes gowns, used to prevent exposure to infectious agents.

Touch Surfaces

Areas in a clinical setting that may come into direct or indirect contact with hands, such as countertops, chairs, tables, and workbenches.

Splash Surfaces

Areas that may be hit with blood, bodily fluids, or other secretions from a contaminated source, such as the cerumen removal space.

Clean (vs. Disinfect)

The process of removing contamination without necessarily killing germs.

Disinfect (vs. Clean)

The process of removing contamination and killing germs, typically involving hospital-grade disinfectants.

Sterilization

The process of killing 100% of vegetative microorganisms, applied to critical instruments that contact blood or penetrate skin/mucous membranes.

Otomycosis

A fungal infection of the ear, typically occurring in warm or tropical areas, with symptoms including pain, itching, swelling, and drainage.

Patient Chart Review

The process of examining a patient's medical history, previous testing results (e.g., audiograms, cochlear implant evaluations), and reported concerns before an audiology assessment.

Informal Observation and Interaction (Audiometry)

Observing a patient's behaviors and communicating with them to gauge their hearing level, communication difficulty, physical conditions, or potential aphysiologic hearing loss.

Case History (Audiology)

Gathering detailed information about a patient's auditory and vestibular symptoms and medical background through direct questions, questionnaires, or intake forms.

Auditory Symptoms

Symptoms related to hearing, including decreased hearing, otalgia (ear pain), otorrhea (ear drainage), tinnitus (ringing/buzzing), and aural fullness (ear feels full/muffled).

Vestibular Symptoms

Symptoms related to balance, including dizziness, vertigo (spinning sensation), lightheadedness, imbalance, and falls.