AAO-HNSF Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel

Bone Conduction • Typical placement of oscillator is on mastoid (behind ear) • Patient is not allowed to hold or touch the oscillator even though it is sometimes difficult to get good placement • Use same testing protocol as pure tones • Typically test 500 Hz, 1k Hz, 2k Hz, and 4k Hz • Can only test up to 4,000 Hz (most booths are not calibrated above that frequency)

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

25

Bone Conduction

• Responses represent “best bone” score • The better ear always responds without masking • Cannot get ear specific information without the use of masking • Sound travels through vibration of the bones

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

26

Things to Watch Out For

• Oscillator can easily slip and touch the pinna causing vibrotactile/ false responses • Patients tend to only respond when they hear the tone on the side where the oscillator is placed o Tell patient they might "hear" the sound on either side • Patients might respond to vibrotactile sensations at lower frequencies

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

27