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Begin the test with the air conduction transducer.
2. Instruct the patient so that he/she will know what to expect: "You will hear various words, like bird, dog, etc. When
you hear a word, repeat it back to me. This time the words will all be loud enough to hear. It is okay to guess if you
are unsure of the word."
3. Make sure that the control panel of the Otosuite software is set to the correct transducer and desired routing and
sound level.
–
Make sure that word recognition score (WRS/SRS) is selected.
4. Begin the test in the ear with the lower PTA and/or SRT.
–
Tell the patient in which ear the test will begin.
5. It is best to use recorded speech to reduce variability.
–
If the automated presentation speed of the recorded speech is too fast for the patient, you can deliver the recor-
ded words one at a time by double-clicking on the word in the word list.
–
You can also present the speech material using monitored live-voice.
6. Present the words at a sound level that is 30 to 40 dB higher than the SRT score.
–
Some examiners prefer to give the patient a couple of words to make sure that the response instructions are
understood. These words should not be part of the test word list as familiarity can bias the test.
7. Score the responses using the +/- buttons. Typically, 25 or 50 words are presented in a list. Once all the words on the
list have been presented, you have a percentage correct. This is the WRS.
–
Once the WRS is obtained, store the response.
8. Switch to the other ear and tell the patient to listen for the words in that ear.
9. Repeat steps
to
.
10. Type any desired notes regarding the test (for example, "NU-6, word list 3A") in the box to the left of the scores (tab-
ular view) or symbols (graphical view).
5.2
Special Tests
5.2.1
Performing Tone Decay using the Modified Carhart Method
1. Properly place the earphones.
–
Begin the test with the air conduction transducer.
2. Give the patient a responder.
3. Instruct the patient so that he/she knows what to expect: "You will hear a continuous tone. Press the button on the
responder as long as the tone stays the same. If the pitch changes or you can no longer hear the tone, release the
responder button."
4. Select tone decay in the Test Selector.
–
Make sure that the control panel of the Otosuite software is set to the correct transducer, and desired routing,
sound level and frequency. Any frequency can be used.
5. Make sure that the tone decay box and the timer box have appeared in the display.
6. Start the test at 5 dB above the patient's threshold for that frequency in that ear.
7. As soon as the subject responds, start the timer. You will be presenting a tone for at least one minute.
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Madsen A450
5 Examples of audiometric testing
