HEARING EVALUATION
Hearing loss requires a thorough evaluation utilizing sophisticated equipment to accurately diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss.
A DIAGNOSTIC HEARING EVALUATION MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING :
- Patient History
- Otoscopy (visual inspection of the ear canal and ear drum)
- Air Conduction Testing (measures sound traveling through the ear canal)
- Bone Conduction Testing (measures sound traveling through the bone)
- Speech Reception and Discrimination Testing (measures ability to understand speech)
- Tympanometry (measures movement of the tympanic membrane/ear drum)
A consultation will follow the evaluation. A detailed explanation of the testing will be given, including the type and degree of hearing loss, the ability to understand speech, and professional recommendations will be made, based on the results of the evaluation.
You will be referred to a medical doctor if there are conditions the audiologist identifies as needing to be addressed medically.
*If you experience SUDDEN hearing loss, PAIN, DRAINAGE or any other abnormality of the ear, it is NECESSARY to make an appointment with the audiologist IMMEDIATELY. Explain your symptoms to the receptionist and she will schedule you for an appointment on an EMERGENCY basis.
VIDEOTOSCOPY
See inside your ear…it may be wax!! With videotoscopy you can see inside your own ear canal and actually see your eardrum on a monitor. It is a valuable tool for the audiologist to visually inspect the ear canal and observe the eardrum.
TYMPANOMETRY
A tympanometer measures the pressure in the ear canal and movement of the eardrum. It is a diagnostic tool for the audiologist to identifying fluid or other abnormalities of the ear.