Our licensed audiologists provide comprehensive audiological evaluations for both children and adults. A complete hearing test takes approximately 45 minutes and may include the following:
Pure Tone Audiometry
A behavioral test to measure hearing sensitivity for calibrated pure tones. Frequency specific pure tones are presented through earphones to determine the softest levels that a patient can hear. This test is performed in a sound treated booth.
Bone Conduction Audiometry
A behavioral test to measure hearing sensitivity for calibrated pure tones. Frequency specific pure tones are presented through a bone conduction oscillator that is placed behind the patient’s ear. A comparison between air conduction and bone conduction results can help determine what type of hearing loss is present.
Word Recognition Testing
A test that measures a patient’s ability to discriminate speech sounds. A vocabulary list of common words is presented through earphones to determine how well a patient can repeat back the words correctly. This test is performed without visual cues and indicates how well a patient can understand normal conversations.
Tympanometry
A test of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and middle ear system. A soft probe tip is placed into the ear canal and then a small amount of pressure is introduced. This test helps to determine if there is a hole in the eardrum, fluid behind the eardrum or an issue with the small bones in the middle ear (ossicles).
Acoustic Reflex Testing
A test that measures an involuntary muscle contraction that occurs in the middle ear. A soft probe tip is placed in both ears and a short high intensity tone is presented at various frequencies. This test helps to determine if there is any dysfunction in the pathway sound travels to the brain.
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (OAE)
A test that measures an acoustic response produced by the outer hair cells in the inner ear. A soft probe tip is placed into the ear canal and a variety of tones are presented with increasing pitch. No response is required of the patient. Results from this test can help determine if hair cell damage is present in the inner ear and is helpful when behavioral results cannot be obtained.
Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA)
A modified pure tone test for children 2-5 years old. The child is trained to perform a task each time a tone is presented. The task can include dropping a block into a bucket or placing a peg into a hole. Once the child has mastered the task, the presented tone is decreased in volume in order to determine the softest levels that the child can hear.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)
A modified hearing screening technique for children 6 months to 2 years old. The child is trained to look toward a sound source and they are rewarded with a visual reinforcement when they perform the task correctly. The reward can include a flashing light or a toy that moves. Once the child has mastered the task, the sound source is reduced in volume to determine if hearing is within normal ranges.
Your audiologist will explain the results of the hearing test and you will receive a copy of the results for your records. If the hearing evaluation indicates that hearing loss is present, your audiologist will explain the nature of the hearing loss, discuss how you are functioning and any difficulties you may be having, make suggestions on how to improve your ability to communicate, review any recommendations and answer any questions that you may have.