Hearing Evaluations
The hearing evaluation identifies if hearing loss is present and details the type and severity of the loss. It also allows the audiologist to determine treatment options, including referrals to other health care professionals. The testing procedures can be modified to correspond with a patient’s age and ability, and both our equipment and tests are constantly updated to current research standards.
While in a sound treated booth, expect to listen for various tones to determine how you hear various sounds from low to high frequency (pitches). Speech tests will also be completed to determine your ability to hear and understand spoken language. Speech testing provides a better understanding of the implications of the hearing loss in real-life listening situations, including listening to speech in background noise These tests are crucial for diagnosing type and degree of hearing loss, determining the impact on daily communication, and developing effective treatment strategies.
The audiologist may also perform additional tests such as evaluating the mobility of the middle ear, your ear’s reflex to loud sounds, and the integrity of the hair cells within the inner ear.
THE TYMPANOGRAM
A tympanogram may be done to test the health and function of your eardrums and middle ears.The cost of a complete hearing evaluation is covered by most insurance companies upon referral from your physician.If you are unsure if you have a hearing loss and are not sure if a complete evaluation is necessary, a hearing screening can be performed. This is a quick measure of how well you hear each tone to determine if you may benefit from amplification.
THE AUDIOGRAM
An audiogram is a graph that shows how well you heard the different tones that were tested. Along the top of the graph are the frequencies (pitches) that were tested and down the side of the graph shows loudness (in decibels). The softest levels you could hear at each frequency are charted, with the top of the graph indicating better hearing. Normal hearing ranges from 0 to 25 dB for adults. A tympanogram may be done to test the health and function of your eardrums and middle ears.The cost of a complete hearing evaluation is covered by most insurance companies upon referral from your physician.If you are unsure if you have a hearing loss and are not sure if a complete evaluation is necessary, a hearing screening can be performed. This is a quick measure of how well you hear each tone to determine if you may benefit from amplification.
