Hearing Tests

Hearing impairment is a progressive condition that often goes unnoticed due to its gradual onset. According to studies, it typically takes around seven years for an individual with hearing loss to seek treatment. Regular audiology evaluations can help identify such issues earlier, resulting in more effective treatment strategies and improved quality of life.

Regular hearing check-ups should be an integral part of your overall healthcare routine, similar to periodic eye examinations and dental consultations. These evaluations are painless, quick, and yield immediate results.

Hearing Evaluation: What to Expect

Pre-Evaluation Phase: Learning More About You

We start by gaining an in-depth understanding of your hearing difficulties. This involves discussing your medical history and getting to know how your hearing loss affects your daily life. We strongly recommend bringing along a close family member or friend to your appointment for an additional perspective on your hearing difficulties.

Evaluation Phase: Assessing Your Hearing Capabilities

Our comprehensive hearing evaluation consists of a series of tests aimed at assessing various aspects of your hearing.

Otoscopic Examination

Our audiologists use an otoscope to inspect your outer ear. This tool enables them to identify any visible issues such as wax build-up, inflammation, or infections.

Pure Tone Audiometry

This test gauges your sensitivity to sounds of varying frequencies and volumes. You'll wear headphones and respond whenever you hear a sound.

Speech Audiometry

This evaluates your capacity to comprehend speech at different volume levels and clarity.

Tympanometry

This test measures the movement of your eardrum in response to changes in air pressure, providing valuable insights into the conditions of your outer and middle ear.

Post-Evaluation Phase: Explaining Your Results & Discussing Treatment Options

All your test results are discussed in detail, ensuring that you understand your specific hearing condition and the ideal treatment options. Our audiologists follow a collaborative approach, where your inputs play a significant role in determining your treatment plan.

Types of Hearing Testing

Pure Tone Testing

Pure tone testing measures your ability to hear sounds of different pitches and volumes. This test helps us determine your hearing threshold and is a crucial step in diagnosing your type of hearing loss.

Speech Testing

Speech testing helps us measure your speech reception threshold - the faintest speech you can understand 50% of the time. It also evaluates your ability to segregate speech from background noise.

Bone Conduction Testing

Bone conduction testing assesses the inner ear's response to sound. This test is particularly useful when there's a blockage or damage in the outer or middle ear, as it sends the sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry detects conditions of the middle ear, such as fluid accumulation, wax build-up, eardrum perforations, and tumors. It measures the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure.

Acoustic Reflex Testing

This test measures the involuntary muscle contractions of the middle ear, providing valuable insights into the location and type of your hearing problem.

Associates in Audiology is committed to providing comprehensive, personalized audiological services to help improve your quality of life. Reach out to us today to schedule your hearing evaluation and embark on your journey to better hearing health.