We’re here to help you and or your loved ones hear better so you can get the most out of life. Everything we do focuses on that goal, from the staff we hire, our knowledge and skills, our hearing tests, the brands we select and how we expertly fit your hearing aids, should you need them. It all starts with a hearing evaluation and a conversation with you about your lifestyle, needs and preferences.
What Happens During A Hearing Test?
When your hearing exam begins, we’ll review key personal information with you and ask you a few questions to discover the specific types of environments where you may be experiencing hearing loss and hearing problems.
Next, we may look into your ears with an otoscope, a special instrument to see the ear canal and the eardrum, and/or perform one of the tests below.
Audiometric Test
Pure tone audiometry is a hearing test used to determine the presence or absence of hearing loss using a series of low, mid and high frequency tones to determine your threshold of hearing. Word recognition testing determines your ability to understand words in quiet and in the presence of background noise. The results will help us determine the proper treatment for your hearing loss and listening challenges
Tympanometry
Tympanometry testing is performed to determine the status of the (eardrum) tympanic membrane, the mobility of the middle ear bones, and the middle ear status
OAEs
Otoacoustic emissions are sounds that the ear emits and can be detected by microphones placed in the ear that can indicate the health of the auditory receptors. This test is performed when there is a need to perform baseline cochlear monitoring, cochlear ototoxicity baseline testing, cochlear mapping, to verify cochlear versus non-cochlear functions, and to verify functional hearing loss.
Functional Hearing Assessment
(FHA) goes above and beyond traditional hearing evaluations that simply determine the level of hearing loss. What is included in a Functional Hearing Assessment?
Speech Understand in Noise (AZ Bio)
This is the real-life element! We don’t communicate with beeps in a silent environment—we hear while things are going on all around us. This test shows the doctor how you’re hearing in background noise, when people talk fast or mumble, and how well you understand voices. Basically, how much of the world around you are you understanding.
Cognitive Testing to Screen for Early Warning Signs of Dementia
- Memory performance
- Executive function
- Reaction time
- Processing speed
The Cognivue diagnostic will provide you with a cognitive health result that is independent of your hearing score. We can use both your hearing results and your Cognivue results to paint a more accurate picture of your current cognitive health. Based on your scores, Cognivue will provide you with advice concerning lifestyle changes that aim to improve your overall cognition. The screening will also provide you with a report and data set that you can bring to your healthcare provider in order to better discuss next steps for managing your cognitive risks.
Uncomfortable Loudness Level
This test, combined with the traditional hearing test, gives the doctor a range in which to program your hearing aids.
Acceptable Noise Level
This test gives the doctor information on how well you tolerate the loudness of noise and where you hear most comfortably.
Hearing Aid Experience Using Real-Ear Measurements
Your ear is as unique as your fingerprint. Real-Ear measurements track the sound as it goes down the ear canal, allowing the doctor to see how much of the sound is making it to your eardrum. They can then make the proper adjustments so that you aren’t losing sound before it even gets to you!
Re-testing of Speech Discrimination with Programmed Hearing Aids
This is done so you can hear the difference properly programmed hearing aids can make for your ability to hear in real-world situations.
*Certified Cognihear provider
Comprehensive testing will enable us to determine:
- Whether or not you have hearing loss
- The possible cause of hearing loss
- The degree and type of hearing loss and whether it’s in one or both ears
- The best treatment options
FHA testing will enable us to determine:
- The best treatment options
We treat our patients like our own family because we recognize that hearing well is important in all of your relationships!
Check out more reviews to see how our patients feel about our service.
Understanding Your Hearing Test Results
Next, we’ll consider treatment solutions. You can count on our team to take the time necessary to understand your concerns so that they can provide you with everything you need to make an informed personal decision.
