What is a Hearing Evaluation?
A Hearing Evaluation is the first step in diagnosing your individual hearing needs. It enables us to determine both where you are hearing well, and where we may need to focus treatment. Our licensed professionals perform a series of diagnostic tests to identify the extent, type, and specifics of your hearing loss. The evaluation process typically lasts between 20–40 minutes.
Why Do I Need a Hearing Evaluation?
A complete evaluation identifies hearing loss and determines the most appropriate treatment approach. Since different types of hearing loss require specific interventions, the evaluation uncovers key information that tells us where and how to focus treatment. Without a proper diagnosis, it is impossible to select the right solution for your needs.
Testing Methods Offered
- Air Conduction Testing — measures how well you hear tones through the air
- Bone Conduction Testing — measures hearing through vibrations in the skull
- Speech Testing — evaluates your ability to understand spoken words
- Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) — measures inner ear function
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing — assesses the auditory nerve pathway
- Tympanometry / Acoustic Immittance Testing — evaluates middle ear function
After Your Evaluation
Following the completion of your evaluation, we will discuss the findings with you and provide treatment recommendations based on your individual needs. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you need — we want to make sure you fully understand your results and feel confident about your next steps.
Can I Bring Someone with Me?
Yes! In fact, we encourage you to bring a family member or loved one to your evaluation. Bringing a support person helps patients process information and feel comfortable. Hearing loss affects more than just the individual — it impacts the entire family — so having a loved one present is always welcome.