Services
A&A Hearing Group provides a broad range of hearing tests and services for our clients including the following:
Diagnostic Hearing Exam
An audiological evaluation consists of several different components, including a case history, physical examination of the ears, pure tone test, speech audiometric tests, and tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions testing.
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing
This is a test of your inner ear (cochlea) and involves listening to very soft sounds. A machine records your inner ear’s involuntary responses (in the form of very quiet sound waves). The primary purpose of otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing is to determine cochlear status, specifically hair cell function.
Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR)
This is a test of your hearing nerve (Cranial Nerve 8). It takes about 45 to 60 minutes and involves relaxing in a reclined position and listening to “clicking” noises. It is a very easy, non-invasive test and can often determine crucial information about the function of your hearing nerve.
Middle Ear testing (Tympanometry)
This is a test to see how well your middle ear is working. This test can assist in the detection of an ear infection, holes in the eardrum, wax blocking the ear canal, or other problems that may indicate the need for a medical evaluation.
Demonstration of Digital Hearing Technology
After your hearing tests, the audiologist will be able to let you hear the difference that digital hearing instruments will make for you right in our office. We are happy to provide demonstrations of what it sounds like to listen through a hearing aid so you can make a more informed decision before purchasing.
Electrocochleography
Electrocochleography (ECochG) is a method for recording the electrical potentials of the cochlea (the inner ear). The most popular applications for this test are:
- Diagnosis/assessment/monitoring of Meniere’s disease/endolymphatic hydrops
and the assessment/monitoring of treatment strategies for these disorders - Measurement and monitoring of cochlear and auditory nerve function during
surgery involving the auditory periphery.
Earwax (Cerumen) Removal
Sometimes earwax can be taken out at the office. If not, we will recommend drops that will help or a referral to an ENT (ear nose and throat physician) for cerumen management.
Tinnitus Evaluations and Recommendations
The tinnitus evaluation includes a comprehensive hearing evaluation, a thorough case history, and a tinnitus match procedure. This procedure determines the type, loudness, and frequency of your tinnitus. Depending upon the results of this evaluation, you may also undergo a tinnitus masking procedure to determine if your tinnitus can be made softer or eliminated. The audiologist will determine the reason for the tinnitus, and will make recommendations based on his/her findings.
Hearing Aid Evaluation and Dispensing
The audiologist will review each component of the audiological evaluation to obtain a profile of an individual’s hearing abilities and needs. The audiologist will then help the patient to decide which hearing aid (if any) is most appropriate for your specific hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget.
When a hearing aid is provided for a patient, we make sure each patient understands all aspects of care, use and maintenance of the device(s), and communication strategies for a happy home!
Hearing Aid Testing and Repair
If you are having trouble with your hearing aid and think it may be broken, we will be able to test it, and possibly repair the aid at the office. If we cannot repair the aid, we can send it to a company to have it repaired (per the patient’s request).