Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears caused by various factors, and a tinnitus test involves hearing tests, x-rays, and a maskability exam. An audiogram measures hearing ability, while x-rays detect physical problems in the ear. A masking test determines the impact of external sounds on tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a condition that involves a constant ringing in the patient’s ears. A tinnitus test involves visiting a doctor known as an otolaryngologist who specializes in treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat and undergoing a sequence of hearing tests. Testing usually begins with an audiogram and also includes x-rays and a maskability exam.
It is believed that patients suffer from tinnitus when they hear a ringing in their ears in the absence of any external sound. It’s not actually a disease; instead it is a symptom that could come from a number of other causes such as a buildup of earwax in the ear. Tinnitus is a common complaint; those aged 55-65 appear to be most at risk with over 20% in that demographic suffering from it.
An audiogram is also commonly referred to as a hearing acuity test that produces a graph that measures a person’s ability to hear sounds and the ability to distinguish between different noises. An effective means of measuring tinnitus is to use the brain’s ability to hear only the loudest sounds. An audiogram reproduces sounds of known amplitude and the patient is asked if he can hear them. This tinnitus test is a good method to find out the severity of your tinnitus.
X-rays are also used to determine if there are any physical problems inside the ear that could be causing the tinnitus. For example, an X-ray may uncover an abnormality in the veins and arteries of the head that could lead to turbulent blood flow in the ear region. This leads to an increase in pressure which makes the sound of blood pumping in the ear. This condition is known as pulsatile tinnitus and can only be discovered through X-rays. Depending on the patient’s condition, a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may also be performed.
Another tinnitus test that patients often undergo is a masking test; this is designed to determine the impact of external sounds on tinnitus and how these sounds might cover up the condition. A masking noise is emitted which masks tinnitus-related noises. This noise is increased until the patient can hear it. This level is then logged. The otolaryngologist will continue this particular tinnitus test by increasing the masking sound to a level where the patient can no longer hear the noises produced by the condition.
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