Hearing Testing

The first step in treating hearing loss is a comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by a Doctor of Audiology to determine if the loss can be effectively treated medically, surgically, or with the use of amplification.

A hearing test is performed in a sound booth.  The Doctors of Audiology at Advanced Hearing Care will use an audiometer which is a piece of equipment that produces various pitch sounds (frequencies) at different levels (intensities).  The person in the booth will be asked to respond when they hear a “beep” by raising his hand or pushing a button.  The person will also be asked to repeat speech words in quiet and in the presence of background noise to evaluate the effect of their hearing on understanding of speech. 

Next, procedures will be performed to test the eardrum and the middle ear and measure the movement of the tiny bones behind the eardrum. (Tympanometry and Acoustic reflex testing).  Otoacoustic emission testing (OAE) may also be performed to check the function of the tiny little “hair cells” in the inner ear.  Depending on your case history and symptoms, specialized testing may be needed to evaluate auditory nerve function through Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing and evaluate balance and causes of dizziness through Electronystagmography.  Auditory processing testing evaluates how the brain perceives or understands what the ear sends to it.  Many times this testing is recommended for children who experience attention or learning problems, or adults who have normal ear and peripheral hearing function but still have “hearing” difficulty.

Thorough hearing evaluation is critical to determine the appropriate treatment.  All too often only a cursory hearing test is performed before hearing aids are recommended.  The more precise the testing the more accurate the recommendations will be for either medical exams or hearing devices.  Our Doctors of Audiology at Advanced Hearing Care have combined experience of thirty years successfully assessing hearing loss and making expert and appropriate recommendations.