Diagnostic Testing and Services

Comprehensive Audiological Evaluation

Involves listening to tones and words in each ear through earphones in a sound treated booth to identify any hearing loss.
Also includes middle ear testing to check the middle ear system and eardrum function.
Testing will diagnose any middle ear and/or nerve hearing loss and determine the need for medical follow-up or hearing aids.
No preparations needed from the patient.
Test time: approximately 30 minutes .

If hearing aids are warranted and the patient is ready to pursue, a hearing aid evaluation and demonstration will be provided.
Involves seeing, touching, and wearing different hearing aids to demonstrate potential benefits.
Style, features, and type of hearing aid will be determined based on individuals’ needs, wants, and hearing loss .
Patients may be allowed to borrow and wear hearing aids for a short time period to help make decision about hearing aid purchase.
We recommend patients bring a family member or close friend to the hearing aid evaluation to listen to a familiar voice with the hearing aids and help with the decision.

Only digital hearing aids are dispensed.
Also specialize in hearing aids that are designed to provide relief from tinnitus (i.e., ringing in the ears), as well as address hearing loss.
Price varies depending on sophistication of hearing aid technology selected.
Hearing aid purchase package includes repair warranty, loss and damage warranty, cleanings, adjustments, programming, and all hearing aid follow-up.

Some patients are not candidates for hearing aids due to the type or severity of hearing loss. We provide alternative solutions, including the Baha and Cochlear Implants.
The Baha is an implantable hearing aid that uses bone vibration in the skull to transfer sound to the inner ears. This implant is ideal for patients with chronic middle ear problems or deafness in one ear.
The Cochlear Implant is a hearing implant that is placed in the cochlea of the inner ear. This implant is used for patients who have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and difficulty understanding speech. This implant is ideal for patients whose hearing loss has progressed to the point where traditional hearing aids are no longer helpful.

OAEs test the cochlear function, which is part of the inner ear hearing system.
The patient listens to tones in each ear through an earphone.
This test helps assess toxic damage to the inner ear caused by chemotherapy, radiation, or long-term use of certain medications.
This test can also provide information of the cochlear damage related to tinnitus (i.e., ringing in the ears).
OAEs can also be used to obtain hearing information in small children that are not old enough to perform a standard hearing test.
No preparations are needed from the patient.
Test time: 5-10 minutes.

Provides assessment of the inner ear hearing nerve and the nerve’s connection to the brain.
Consists of placing wires around the head and ears and ear plugs in the ears.
A nerve response is recorded while the patient sleeps or relaxes and listens to different sounds.
This test may provide hearing information in small children that are not old enough to perform a standard hearing test.
No preparations needed from the patient.
Test time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

A test of the fluid levels and pressure in the inner ear (cochlea).
Involves placing wires around the head and ears and placing ear plugs in the ears.
A cochlear response is recorded while the patient sleeps or relaxes and listens to a clicking sound.
No preparations needed from the patient.
Test time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

A test of facial nerve function.
The facial nerve is in very close proximity to the auditory nerve in the brain, so tests of this nerve may be performed if a patient is experiencing inner ear problems.
Involves placing wires around the head and recording the facial nerve response to a small electrical stimulation.
No preparations needed from the patient.
Test time- 10-20 minutes.