About Harriet Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I can answer questions regarding non-medical treatment of hearing loss such as hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. I am also able to answer your questions regarding hearing testing, what types of tests are appropriate, what information a hearing test gives you and what it doesn't give you. As a classically trained musician, I can also answer issues dealing with hearing loss specific to musicians.
Experience I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with over 25 years' of experience working with both children and adults. I have given lectures on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids to several state chapters of national organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing. I also taught Speech Reading and Aural Rehabilitation both privately and for the Florida Deaf Service Center.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Education/Credentials Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, Nova Southeastern University 2000
Question I had an ABR test done when I was in my upper teens to lower 20's and the doctor told me my results were normal along with all my other test he had done on me for around 3 years. My husband thought something didn't sound right because I couldn't understand or hear what others were saying to me most of the time. He took me to 3 other places to have my hearing tested and all their results were the same. When we confronted my regular hearing doctor about my other 3 tests that were the same and disagreed with him after he told us the results of the ABR were normal, his jaw dropped and he was speechless for a minute and then referred me to the Adult Rehab from the Children's Rehab. We set up the appointment and I was sent to another audiologist. He sent for my records. We told him about the other places I had my hearing tested and the results. My hearing results was around 50 dbls. When we told him that the other doctor said my ABR test were normal, he got very upset and said that wasn't true. He stated that according to what he read, it showed only 50% of sound was getting to my brain. I didn't quiet understand what that meant and still don't. He done an hour worth of testing on me and got the same results as the other 3 places. That was between 1999 and 2000. Now my hearing is much worse. My question is, is 50 normal on an ABR test or not and why can I hear sound ok, but not what someone is saying to me most of the time? EX. Their words sound mumbled like if they say suck, I thought they said something similar like tuck. I can't get most of the audiologists to understand what I mean. I hope I was clear enough for you to understand what I am talking about, if not just let me know and I'll try to explain better. Most of my mother's side of the family is deaf although she can hear a pin drop. I have sensorineural hearing loss.
Answer Hi Millie,
There definitely appears to be several discrepancies here with test results and with what the doctors are telling you. Without actually having the test results in front of me, I really cannot tell you many specifics. However, I can give you some general information.
First of all, an ABR is NOT a test of hearing; it is a test of neural synchrony. In other words, it is a test of how well the auditory nerve works. It is possible to have an abnormal ABR (and, btw, 50 dB is not normal on an ABR) yet have "hearing" within a normal range, such as in the cases of Multiple Sclerosis and Auditory Neuropathy. Both these conditions may manifest in difficulty in "understanding" words rather than simply "not hearing" them.
Also, hearing disorders, especially the type you describe, can occur anywhere in the auditory pathway. By this I mean that the ear itself may be perfectly normal, but the area in the brain that decodes sounds may not be normal. This is the case of Auditory Processing Disorders or Central Deafness. Again, with these disorders, you may "hear" but not "understand" or "comprehend" speech.
An ABR is only ONE test and a hearing disorder should NOT be based upon the results of this one test.
I suggest you consult a neurologist as well as a neuro-otologist and be evaluated for Auditory Neuropathy, Auditory Processing Disorder and Central Deafness. Since there is a distinct difference between "hearing" and "understanding," being evaluated for these conditions may uncover the source of your problems as they affect speech comprehension. One may have completely "normal hearing" but still not "understand." You certainly seem to have problems with speech comprehension.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology
