Diagnostic Audiologic Evaluations

Diagnostic hearing evaluations identify hearing loss, and give us important information to help determine the best course of action for treatment. Some types of hearing loss can be treated medically or surgically, so it’s important that these types of hearing losses be ruled out before hearing aids or other treatments are considered.

If it is determined that you could benefit from hearing aids, the diagnostic hearing evaluation helps your clinician know which hearing aids will be most appropriate for your needs.

What Can I Expect During a Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation?

The evaluation will probably last about 30 to 40 minutes in length. You should also allow for time for discussion with the hearing professional to review test results, and ask questions.

If the determination is made that you need hearing aids, allow for sufficient time to discuss your options.

It is recommended that you bring a family member with you to the evaluation appointment. Most hearing professionals agree that hearing loss is a family issue. It helps to have another supportive person at the appointment to help you understand the information and recommendations.

Before your appointment, a complete medical history will be completed and the clinician will want to hear about any complaints you have about your hearing. He or she will pay special attention to any concerns you have about exposure to noise, tinnitus, and balance problems. Make sure that you take a full list of any medications and supplements you are taking with you to your appointment.

The diagnostic hearing evaluation is a good chance to establish a relationship with your clinician. It helps to ask around for recommendations to hearing clinics in your area and find someone who listens carefully to your concerns. Above all, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will want to be clear on any information you receive so that you can be an active participant in finding hearing solutions that work best for you and your lifestyle.

What Tests Will Be Done?

The specific tests done during the evaluation will depend on the patient’s age, and what is known already about their hearing status. These various tests will the degree of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss, and the conditions of the ear canal and middle ear. The clinician will also determine if the hearing loss is conductive (middle or outer ear problem) or sensorineural (inner ear problem or central processing difficulty of the brain).

Otocsopy and Immittance Testing

Otoscopy is an examination of the outer ear including the pinna, ear canal and ear drum. Tympanometry or immittance testing is used to determine the health of the ear drum and the middle ear system.

Pure-tone Air and Bone Conduction Testing

Pure-tone air conduction testing determines the quietest tones that a person can hear at different frequencies, both low and high. Bone conduction testing is similar to pure-tone air conduction testing. A different type of headphone is used during bone conduction testing, and the results help the specialist determine if the hearing loss is originating from the outer/middle ear or from the inner ear.

Speech Testing

A speech reception threshold (SRT) test is often used with older children and adults to confirm the results of a pure-tone test. This test determines the lowest level at which the patient can recognize words or speech stimuli. Word recognition scores (WRS) are measured to estimate a patient’s ability to hear and understand speech under favorable listening conditions.

Other Considerations:

Specialized tests exist for infants and young children, as well as children and adults with developmental and cognitive impairments. These more-specialized tests allow the hearing professional to test the auditory system when the patient is not able to actively participate in the tests or evaluation.

Along with the evaluation, you should generally expect to have time to review the results with the hearing professional. He or she can interpret the tests for you, answer your questions, provide you with information and referrals as needed, as well as begin planning for treatment, if indicated.

Hearing professionals are specialists in hearing and hearing rehabilitation. Never hesitate to ask your hearing professional for clarification or further information on anything you do not understand.