Hearing test - confusing results

[sazale]

Hi

My DD has just had a bog standard hearing test at the G.P's done by a nurse. It was the one where you wear headphones and press a button when you hear the sound. We'd made the appointment as she is suffering from sensory issues related to sound.

She didn't pass the test but the nurse said she didn't think the test was accurate. She said it was as if she'd not pressed the button even though she could hear it! She could hear the soft sounds but not the loud sounds!! I could hear the ones she couldn't they were that loud! My DD insists she pressed for the ones she could hear.

The nurse is going to discuss the results with G.P and ring me on Monday. Anyone experienced anything similar?

Thanks

sazale

The hearing test is about test how well the ears are functioning, and not how the brain processes the sound information it hears, or does not hear.

So the results of the standard hearing test only detects, and may be the range of sound frequences you can process.
those performing these tests tend not to be audiologists, or audiologist with sufficient advances training to be able to interpret the full meaning of the results, or suggest which further tests may be required.
So may be you need to see a consultant audiologist, say at Great Ormond Street Hospital to try to understand and explain the issues your DD may have processing sound based stimuli.

I was hoping you'd reply, dolfrog. My DD could hear the quiet noises but then not hear them as they got louder! She's since told me she could a different noise which I believe to be the nurse turning the dials so I'm now wondering if she couldn't hear the beeps as was concentrating on the dials turning!

So could it be that she can process the quieter sounds but not the louder sounds?

I explained to the nurse that I think she has processing difficulties. I told her that my DD can hear me having a conversation when im 2 rooms away (open plan) but cant hear me when I'm sat next to her and have to touch her to get her attention! I think they're going to refer her to ENT.

sazale

A standard hearing test should be carried out using a sound proof booth. And one of the high cost factors regarding APD diagnosis is the possible requirement of multiple sound proof booths for the various tests which can make up the battery of tests required for an APD assessment and diagnose.
Another issue that have been observed is the need to have minimal alternative sensory contact with the clinician performing the test, which can require only eye level contact so the the person being tested is not able to use alternative compensating strategies to provide the correct answers for each test. This can negate the test results, which are about identifying the full nature of the disability and not the individuals ability to work around their disability which is an important but seperate issue.