A VNG test (video nystagmography)

A VNG test (video nystagmography) is a diagnostic test that assesses the health of your vestibular system, the inner ear system responsible for balance and spatial orientation. It involves wearing video goggles with infrared cameras to record nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) while your balance system is stimulated through a combination of watching moving lights, head movements, and the introduction of warm or cool air or water into your ears. The test helps identify potential balance disorders and dizziness by analyzing your eye movements in response to these stimuli.

ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

ABR is a very good test for children to detect hearing loss when the regular audiometry is not applicable

Acoustic Emission test (AET)

a non-destructive testing method that "listens" for ultrasonic sound waves, or acoustic emissions, produced by active damage in a material under stress. By detecting and analyzing these energy releases, AET acts as an early warning system, allowing for real-time monitoring and location of defects like cracks, corrosion, or fiber breaks before they lead to structural failure. This process involves placing sensitive sensors on a structure to capture the fleeting waves and using their arrival times to triangulate the source of the damage.

Allergy tests

Allergy

Allergy tests identify substances (allergens) that cause allergic reactions and primarily include skin prick tests, where small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin, and blood tests, which measure the body's immune response to allergens. Other tests, like patch tests (for delayed reactions) and oral challenge tests (under supervision), are also used depending on the suspected allergen and reaction type. The choice of test depends on your symptoms and medical history, and a doctor must interpret the results.

Audiogram

An audiogram is a graph that displays the results of a hearing test, showing the softest sounds a person can hear at different pitches (frequencies) and loudness levels (intensity). It provides essential information about the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss, helping healthcare professionals diagnose and manage hearing conditions through analysis of air and bone conduction thresholds.

Audiology

Audiology

Audiology

Balance Rehabilitation Program

A Balance Rehabilitation Program, often called Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), is a personalized exercise-based physical therapy designed to reduce balance problems, dizziness, and the risk of falls by strengthening the connection between the body, eyes, brain, and inner ear. Programs are tailored by a physical or occupational therapist, focusing on specific exercises like gaze stabilization, head movements, and progressive standing and walking drills. The goal is to adapt to and overcome confusing inner ear signals, ultimately improving daily functioning and quality of life.

Central hearing loss audiogram

A pure-tone audiogram typically does not show central hearing loss because central damage occurs in the brain's auditory pathways, not the outer, middle, or inner ear, which the pure-tone test evaluates. While an audiogram can rule out peripheral (conductive and sensorineural) loss by showing normal air and bone conduction thresholds, central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) may be present with normal audiogram results, requiring specialized central auditory tests for diagnosis.

Cochlear programming

Cochlear implant programming, or mapping, involves a hearing professional fine-tuning a patient's sound processor to optimize their hearing experience by adjusting electrical stimulation parameters, such as current levels for each electrode. This crucial process uses proprietary software to create a customized "MAP" or set of settings, aiming for the best speech intelligibility and comfortable hearing. Programming is an ongoing process, as the brain takes time to adjust to the new sounds, and hearing needs may change over time, requiring periodic adjustments.