AUDIOMETER AND OTOSCLEROSIS By Yaiza Reyes The invention of the Audiometer is credited to Dr. Harvey Fletcher of Brigham Young University. The advanced audiometer was designed by Dr. Bekesy and Rudmose. It’s known as the automatic audiometer. An audiometer is used to detect hearing loss in a person and also to identify the nature of the hearing loss. Some of the diseases diagnosed with an audiometer are otosclerosis (abnormal middle ear bone growth), ruptured ear drum, diseased cochlea (which contains hearing receptors) ear and that Meniere’s causes disease(inner disorder
stapes in the oval window and interferes with sound passing waves to the inner ear (NICDC, 1999). In addition to hearing loss, some people with Otosclerosis may experience dizziness, balance problems, or sensation of ringing(Tinnitus), roaring, buzzing, or hissing in the ears or head that accompanies many forms of hearing loss. Otosclerosis is diagnosed performing an examination by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat physician) or otologist (ear physician) is needed to rule out other diseases or health problems that may cause these same symptoms (NICDC, 1999). ANATOMY OF THE EAR Anatomically, the ear is divided into three major areas: the external ear, the middle ear, and the internal ear. The external and middle ear structures are involved with hearing only. The internal ear functions in both equilibrium and hearing. EXTERNAL EAR The external ear is composed by auricle and the auditory canal. The auricle is the structure that surrounds the opening of the ear; the auditory canal is a chamber carved into the temporal bone of the skull (Marieb, 2012).
spontaneous episodes of vertigo). Using an oscillator to produce a range of frequencies along with a switch, amplifier, attenuator and a pair of headphones make up the audiometer. WHAT IS OTOSCLEROSIS? Otosclerosis is the abnormal growth of bone of the middle ear. This bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly and causes hearing loss. Otosclerosis can cause different types of hearing loss, depending on which structure within the ear is affected. Otosclerosis usually affects the last bone in the chain, the stapes, which rests in the entrance to the internal ear (the oval window). The abnormal bone fixates the