Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations for Adults and Children
When you arrive for your exam, you will be asked to fill out several forms, including those that record your personal information, medical history and verify your insurance. You will also receive a copy of our Notice of Privacy, as mandated by law.
We will review your information, ask questions designed to discover the specific types of environments in which you may experience difficulty in hearing.
Next, we will look in your ears using an otoscope. This instrument is used to see the ear canal and the eardrum and determine whether there is wax obstructing the canal. We also have a video otoscope so you can see the inside of your ears. The first test conducted is a pure tone hearing test. You will be seated in a sound proof booth and headphones will be placed on your ears, which are connected to an audiometer. The audiometer transmits a series of tones at a variety of volumes to determine the exact point or “threshold” at which you can hear various frequencies of sound. You will be asked to press a clicker when you hear a sound.
Next, is speech testing. You will listen to a series of words at different volumes and be asked to repeat them. This will determine the level at which you not only detect, but understand speech. Another test that may be conducted is a speech noise test to determine how well you hear sentences in a noisy environment. Further testing will be performed as needed.
The results of your tests will be recorded on a form called an audiogram, which will be reviewed with you. The audiogram reflects your hearing loss in frequencies and decibels. You will be shown the type, pattern and degree of hearing loss.
If you have a hearing loss, the next step is to review and discuss the treatment solutions that are right for you.