Our 4-Step Process

The Effects of Hearing Loss and Sound Voids™ can be minimized if:

  • Your problem is correctly diagnosed;
  • You receive the right type of treatment; and
  • You and your hearing care team are committed to solving the problem

 

Step One: The Interview

Purpose: To help your audiologist determine the extent of your problem and uncover any specific areas requiring further attention.

Some Typical Questions:

  • Has anyone else in your family had hearing difficulty?
  • Have you had any illnesses or injuries that might have affected your hearing?
  • Have you taken any medications that might have affected your hearing?
  • Have you been exposed to loud noises in your job or leisure activities?

 

Step Two: The Examination

Purpose: To help your audiologist determine whether the Sound Voids you are experiencing could be caused by an obstruction or damage to the ear canal or ear drum. Your audiologist will use a special instrument called an otoscope or video otoscope to inspect the outer ear.

Step Three: The Testing

Purpose: To help the hearing care professional determine the nature of your Sound Voids. Tests, like the following, may be used depending on their assessment of your needs:

  • Audiometric pure tone evaluation to measure your hearing at different frequencies.
  • Speech evaluation to measure how well you hear and understand ordinary conversation at different volumes.
  • Immittance middle ear evaluation to measure how your ear drum and hearing react to varying degrees of air pressure.
  • If you are suffering from a hearing loss, your results will be documented on an audiogram.

 

Step Four: Treatment Options

Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in a variety of designs, with a wide range of functions and features to address an individual’s specific needs. The most basic components include a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, and (in the case of digital hearing systems) a small computer. The unprecedented effectiveness of modern digital aids comes from a powerful combination of professional expertise, software, and hardware.

Surgery & Implants
Devices surgically inserted into the ear to improve hearing, facilitate lip-reading, and make it easier to distinguish certain sounds. Typically, these are most helpful to deaf or profoundly hearing-impaired people unable to use hearing systems.

A few examples of surgical implants:

  • Cochlear Implants
  • Middle Ear Implants
  • Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems
  • Auditory Brainstem Implants

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is hearing tested in newborns ?
Before your child leaves the hospital, they’re given an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test. When sleeping, an earphone and microphone are placed in the ear, sounds are played, and their response is measured. If the newborn does not have a hearing impairment, an echo is reflected back into the ear canal being measured by the microphone. When a baby does have a hearing loss, no echo can be measured on the OAE test. This test is generally administered twice. Please see our section about child hearing loss for more information on hearing impairment and preventive measures for all ages.
How long does a hearing test take?
Approximately 20 minutes.
How often should I get my hearing tested?
This depends on lifestyle as well as age. Typically, we recommend an annual hearing test, whether there are signs of hearing loss or not, particularly if you are exposed to noise consistently through work or play. If you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of hearing loss, please call today to schedule an appointment.