Diagnostic Hearing Assessment

A diagnostic hearing assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s hearing ability. It is typically performed by an audiologist, a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

The assessment can include the following components:

Case history: The audiologist will ask the patient about their medical history, any medications they are taking, and any symptoms they are experiencing related to their hearing.

Physical examination: The audiologist will examine the patient’s ears to look for any physical abnormalities or signs of infection.

Pure-tone audiometry: This is a test that measures the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies (pitches). The patient wears headphones and listens to a series of tones played at different frequencies and volumes.

Speech audiometry: This test measures how well the patient can hear and understand speech. The patient may be asked to repeat words or sentences at different volumes and in different background noise levels.

Tympanometry: This test measures the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure. It can help diagnose conditions that affect the middle ear, such as fluid buildup or a perforated eardrum.

Acoustic reflex testing: This test measures the sounds pathway from the inner ear to the brainstem. It can help diagnose conditions that affect the inner ear, such as sensorineural or retro-cochlea hearing loss.

Speech in noise: This test measures your ability to understand speech in a noisy environment similar to when a patient is out with friends in a noisy environment.