Audio/Balance
Services
Specialized Audiology/Balance Services Include:
Hearing Testing:
Millions of people are affected by hearing loss. A hearing loss can deprive both children and adults of hearing speech and environmental sounds.
For a child, if sounds are not heard clearly, speech and language development is impaired. With the recent advent of universal hearing screening, the identification and follow-up for children with suspected hearing loss has greatly improved. Yet, there are children who may develop hearing impairment from acquired causes. Conditions such as chronic ear infections, meningitis, some inherited forms of hearing loss, even wax plugs in the ear can - and often do - result in hearing loss of varying degree. For children with the more severe hearing losses, the effects of the loss may be noticed relatively early. But for the children with the more mild to moderate hearing impairments, the effects may be far more subtle: lack of attentiveness, daydreaming, problems with speech or even the television's volume higher than others would prefer.
Certified, licensed audiologists at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute perform pediatric hearing tests using techniques and activities designed to appeal to infants and younger children. All portions of the hearing mechanism are evaluated, with use of behavioral and objective test measures to help provide a complete assessment of the child's hearing capabilities. If a hearing loss is identified, detailed explanations and recommendations are then provided. Even the mildest form of hearing loss can affect academic performance, speech and language development and other areas. Identification of hearing loss in children remains one of the staff's foremost priorities.
For adults, a hearing loss may affect one's ability to communicate, thus affecting social and work situations. In addition, it can cause frustration on the individual's part and for the family. If you answer "yes" to one or more of the following statements, call (732) 321-7063. Help is available.
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Difficulty hearing on the telephone
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Difficulties hearing conversations especially in background noise
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Finding yourself becoming frustrated
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Turning the radio or television louder
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Answering questions incorrectly because you are mistaking words said
If you or anyone you know is affected by hearing loss, contact the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at (732) 321-7063.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes. They vary in size and features.
The audiologists at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute are familiar with the hearing aid options that are available and will help families choose hearing aids that are compatible with their specific physical and amplification needs. For infants and children, the selection of hearing aids poses unique challenges. It is important that hearing aids are selected to be compatible to the physical characteristics of a child. The ears of children are softer and smaller than those of adults and change in size over the first few years of life.
Two important factors contribute to an individual's understanding of speech. The first is recognizing the distinct letters in the words heard. The second factor is hearing in the environment one is in. Background noise, such as in a restaurant, can make it difficult to understand the right sounds in words. Hearing aids with digital technology offer better understanding of speech in more challenging listening situations. Instead of using traditional electronic components, digital hearing aids use a digital sound processor to translate sounds into a digital signal. This signal can be enhanced without distorting the sound - ensuring that the sound quality is as crisp and clear as a CD.
These and many other types of digital and analog hearing aids are offered in the Audiology Program.
Balance/Vestibular Testing
The facts below will help give you a better understanding of the nature, diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders:
Dizziness is not a disease. It is a symptom that indicates a problem may exist somewhere in the body.
There are many causes of dizziness. But, in most cases, the problem is related to a change in the vestibular system - the parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance, eye movements and body orientation. Regardless of the cause, early detection improves chances for a complete recovery.
Vestibular disorders are common and can affect people of all ages. It is estimated that more than 90 million Americans will complain to their physicians about dizziness at least once during their lifetime.
In addition to dizziness, the most frequently reported symptoms of vestibular disorders are vertigo, nausea and unsteadiness or imbalance while walking. Other symptoms may include: increased sensitivity to noise and bright light; headaches; muscular aches in the neck and back; and problems with vision, thinking and memory.
Tests developed in recent years enable physicians to now diagnose some vestibular disorders that previously could not be documented. Vestibular testing may include hearing tests, the recording of eye movements in different situations and balance testing. The tests are painless and most people tolerate them well.
Treatment for balance disorders varies according to the diagnosis. Treatment may include vestibular rehabilitation and balance retraining with a physical therapist; medication; diet changes; and, in rare cases, surgery.
All of these treatment options are available through the balance
assessment program at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.
Central Auditory Processing Evaluation
What the ears "hear" and what the brain interprets as being heard may not be one and the same. Some people have difficulty making sense out of what the ears pick up, even though the hearing in both ears may be normal. This difficulty in "processing" may show itself as finding it hard to hear speech against background noise or problems remembering what was heard just a short while ago.
Children with processing problems may appear as distracted, daydreaming or just not "tuning in." Grades may be below par.
Licensed, certified audiologists at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute can provide a complete and comprehensive evaluation for both children and adults suspected of having an auditory processing disorder. The test battery is thorough and comprehensive, with no fewer than nine separate tests to evaluate for this often difficult-to-pinpoint disorder. Particularly for school-aged children, testing can often target specific areas of processing difficulty, whether in hearing in background noise or perceiving the finer differences of speech, pitch and intonation. If problem areas are identified, detailed suggestions and recommendations are provided, as well as referrals to the appropriate resource personnel. In addition, a speech language screening is completed as part of a battery to determine if any underlying speech language problems are contributing to the child's difficulties.
Computerized Dynamic Posturography
(CDP)
CDP is one of the tests offered in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology to functionally evaluate an individual's balance. It is likely that this test will be used in conjunction with other pieces of information to assist your physician in reaching a diagnosis about your balance disorder.
The procedure is non-invasive and requires you to stand on a platform. You will be exposed to various situations where either the platform or visual surroundings will move in what is called vestibular, visual or somatosensory conditions. To avoid any potential chance of falling, a harness is used for support.
A computerized system will detect the changes in the footplate as you move during the conditions to determine if you are able to use the correct strategies for balancing.
This specialized test if offered through the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute's Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Electrocochleography (ECOG)
Balance system assessment refers to a series of procedures designed to evaluate patients presenting with dizziness and/or imbalance difficulties. Patients with a specific diagnosis of Meniere's disease (or endolympahatic hydrops) might be recommended to have a test called Ellectrocochleography (ECOG).
At the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute's Department of Speech and Audiology, a non-invasive approach is used for ECOG. Sensors, called electrodes, are placed on the scalp or forehead and on or behind the ears. A series of sounds are presented through an insert earphone. The electrodes pick up electrical energy produced by the auditory nerve. A computer averages the responses and produces a waveform that shows the response from the inner ear to the auditory nerve. There is no discomfort. The patient need not do anything but relax and not move around. In fact, many patients drift off into natural sleep.
The audiologist interprets this information and the results are forwarded to your physician.
Electronystagmography (ENG)
Using the most advanced techniques in infrared eye recordings, Electronystagmography testing provides your physician with information about your balance mechanisms.
At the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute's Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, ENG testing is one of the tests offered to assess balance function.
During the ENG procedures, you will be asked to do a series of tasks related to eye movements. Eye movements will also be recorded as you move through head and body positions, i.e. head right, body right. The final portion of the test will be conducted with cool and warm air flowing into the ear canals.
For most individuals, there is minimal discomfort during the procedure. Some experience slight sensations of nausea and on, rare occasions, vomiting.
Evoked Potential Testing
For the person who suffers from dizziness, hearing disorder, numbness and tingling of the arms and legs, or blurred or double vision, the first priority is to find the cause or reason for these symptoms. In many cases, a single test may not provide sufficient information for the patient and health care provider. Particularly for the patient undergoing medical work-up for suspected neurological disorder, specific testing for disorders of the auditory, visual, and somatosensory nervous systems can provide valuable information on nerve conduction capability and can also detect lesions that may be clinically silent.
JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute offers the following specialized tests:
Certified, licensed audiologists at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute are specifically trained in the administration and interpretation of these tests. Referral is by physician only.
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