If you are reading this, we likely need to congratulate you on taking the first steps to acknowledge the importance of hearing in your overall health.  I find it so very interesting when you ask the general public if they have been to the dentist to have their teeth checked or the eye doctor to have their eyes checked, the answer is an astounding “YES” or “DUH”!  But, the majority of the public has not had a baseline comprehensive hearing evaluation to have their hearing checked.

So- this is where your hearing journey begins!  We are excited for you!  The purpose of your audiologic evaluation is to determine the type and severity or degree of hearing loss.  It is very important to know the type of hearing loss, since some types are medically or surgically treatable.  This is what can often be missed through a general screening or non-diagnostic evaluation.  Types of hearing loss that are not medically or surgically treatable may be managed through hearing aids or other assistive devices.  Knowing the degree of hearing loss can then determine the appropriate rehabilitative approach.  Mild to sometimes severe hearing loss can be helped with traditional hearing aids, while severe to profound hearing loss can often be managed with a cochlear implant.  Some hearing losses can be treated surgically or with certain types of implantable devices as well.

Case History

Your first visit will involve collecting a case history.  You will be asked when you first noticed difficulty hearing, if you’ve had exposure to loud noises, surgery on the ear(s), ear pain, fullness/pressure in the ear(s), tinnitus/ringing in the ear(s), or dizziness.  It is also important to let your Audiologist know if you are diabetic, have concerns about cognitive decline or dementia, have kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease as there is certainly a link to hearing loss as well.

Otoscopic/Ear Exam

A thorough ear exam to ensure the ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum) appears healthy will be completed.  If there is wax blocking the ear canal, we can remove the ear wax blocking the path for the sound.

Hearing Test

All testing is non-invasive, painless, and requires no preparation.  Testing is completed in a sound-treated room called a Sound Booth with equipment that is regularly maintained and calibrated.  Assessment of hearing sensitivity will be completed in the Sound Booth using a couple types of ear or headphones to complete both air conduction and bone conduction evaluation.  We will also evaluate speech understanding, often in the presence of background noise.  The results are plotted on an audiogram.  We will also complete immittance measures to ensure the eardrum is functioning or allowing sound to transfer through the ear.  Otoacoustic emissions and acoustic reflex testing may also be completed, depending on your case history and findings.  Testing in the Sound Booth can take 15- 30 minutes.

Reviewing Results and Recommendations

All results of the audiogram will be reviewed and explained to you after completing the evaluation.  It is nice to have a spouse or family member with you to further discuss your communication needs, to review recommendations, as well as to help customize your potential treatment options.  It is also nice to have an “extra set of ears” as we do want you to leave feeling well informed.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have as well.

Your hearing journey starts here!  We can’t wait to walk with you through the process to “Experience More” through better hearing.

Call us today or book and appointment online right through our website.

Dr. Tanya McCormack and Dr. Allison Love