Procedures

Whether it is a back injury or hearing loss, there is rehabilitation available for the treatment or relief of symptoms.

• Auditory Brainstem Response Testing
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Hearing evaluations
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Auditory Brainstem Response Testing — Diagnostic and sedated auditory brainstem response testing is available to assess neural function and estimate the degree of hearing loss in patients who are difficult to test behaviorally. Sedated auditory brainstem response testing is performed by an audiologist, with the goal of obtaining as much information about hearing sensitivity as possible. Assessment includes otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry, tone burst testing at different frequencies, and bone conduction testing.

Cardiac Rehabilitation — Cardiac rehabilitation has two major components: exercise training and education/counseling. Exercise training strengthens muscles, improves stamina and teaches the participant how to exercise safely. Education/counseling provides information about heart conditions and ways to reduce the risk of future heart problems. Cardiac rehab usually occurs in groups, but each participant's plan is based on the individual's specific risk factors and special needs.

Hearing evaluations are for patients of all ages that may suffer from hearing loss. Pediatric testing is performed using animated visual reinforcement toys and fun activities designed to engage the child in “listening games.”

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a medical treatment where a patient breathes 100 percent oxygen while under increased pressure. At UT Hospital, patients breathe oxygen inside a monoplace chamber. This chamber is a clear long tube. The patient lies on a stretcher in the tube but can see out to watch television during the hour and a half treatment session. Pressure inside the chamber is increased to as much as three times the normal atmospheric pressure. The combination of increased oxygen and increased pressure floods the patient's entire body with oxygen thereby assisting the body in its natural recuperative processes.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation — Pulmonary rehabilitation has two major components: exercise training and education/counseling. Exercise training strengthens muscles, improves stamina and teaches the participant how to exercise safely with less breathing effort. Education/counseling provides information about lung conditions and ways to reduce the risk of future lung problems. The rehab team teaches the participant how to cope with lung problems and how to deal with fears about the future. Pulmonary rehab usually occurs in small groups, but each participant's plan is based on the individual's specific needs.