Hearing Test – No Studying Necessary!

Audiological evaluations are conducted over the age span. Here at Greenwood Hearing & Balance Center our licensed Doctor’s of Audiology are capable in assessing infancy through geriatrics.

Infant/Childhood Evaluation

DPOAE’s-‘Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions’ are conducted to determine how the outer hair cells, located in the cochlea (sense organ for hearing) are functioning. These responses are generated when the cochlea is stimulated simultaneously by two pure tones.

When obtaining DPOAE measurements, an audiologist will place a small earplug in the outer ear. The earplug houses the measuring microphone and sound emitting speakers for the DPOAE measurements. Moderate level tones are presented in pairs (f1 and f2) over a range from low to high frequency. The sounds enter the three parts of the ear (outer, middle, and inner). Recording microphones will pick up the small sounds coming back from the inner ear (like an echo), and the computer then averages and processes the responses. The results are immediately displayed on the computer screen for the patient and audiologist.

VRA (‘Visual Reinforcement Audiology’)

VRA (‘Visual Reinforcement Audiology’) is a behavioral test conducted in soundfield with children age 6-months to around 3-years. The child must be able to sit up and turn their head from side-to-side. Auditory stimuli (tones, narrow band noise, or speech) is emitted through speakers at various frequencies, once emitted a lighted/animated toy will be activated. The toy acts as a reinforcer for the child’s behavior.

CPA (‘Conditioned Play Audiometry’)

CPA (‘Conditioned Play Audiometry’) is used for children ages 3-years to around 5-years. Auditory stimuli will be presented at various frequencies under headphones. The child will be asked to perform a task hand-over-hand with a test assistant initially once they hear the stimuli (i.e., place a block in the bucket). They will also be given a list of words and asked to repeat what they hear back to the hearing professional.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is used to assess ones middle ear status. Through a probe tip placed in the outer ear, pressure is emitted. The pressure will retract the eardrum and provide a reading on the mobility of the eardrum. This test will document a hole in the eardrum, middle ear fluid, as well as any anomalies with the middle ear bones.

Adult/Geriatric Evaluation

Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations

When you arrive for your hearing exam, you will be greeted by the front office staff and asked to fill out several forms, including those that record your personal information, medical history, and insurance verification.

As your hearing exam begins, your tester may review your personal information with you and will ask you some questions that will address your individual difficulty in relation to hearing loss and hearing problems.

Next, your tester will exam your ears using an otoscope. This instrument allows the professional to view the ear canal and the eardrum and note if any earwax is obstructing the canal and/or eardrum.

We do have a video otoscope and will sometimes use this so that you can see inside your ear as well!

Tympanometry may be preformed before your hearing evaluation is started. This test is used to assess ones middle ear status. A probe tip is placed in the outer ear and pressure is emitted into the canal. The pressure will retract the eardrum and provide a reading on the mobility of the eardrum. This test will document a hole in the eardrum, middle ear fluid, as well as any anomalies with the middle ear bones.

Hearing Test Results

The results are recorded on a form called an audiogram, which will be reviewed with you prior to leaving our facility. The audiogram reflects your hearing loss in frequencies and decibels. The hearing professional will show you the type, pattern, and degree of hearing loss, as well as the amount of normal conversational speech that you are still able to hear.

Hearing Loss Treatment Solutions

If a hearing impairment is recorded, we must now consider treatment solutions. Our team will listen, and take the time necessary to understand your concerns so that they can provide you with everything you need to make an informed personal decision. Please do not hesitate to ask any pertinent questions.

Call to schedule a hearing evaluation with our trained professionals today to discover the sounds you have been missing. We promise you will not regret knowing and understanding about your hearing impairment.

Call us today at (864) 227-0444 or contact us using this form.