Diagnostic Hearing Assessments

Hearing loss refers to the partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It can occur due to various factors, including age, excessive noise exposure, genetic predisposition, ear infections, certain medications, or underlying health conditions. Hearing loss can be categorized into different types, such as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed, based on the affected part of the ear.

1. Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
2. Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
3. Feeling that others are mumbling or speaking unclearly.
4. Turning up the volume on electronic devices.
5. Struggling to hear high-pitched or soft sounds.
6. Withdrawal from social situations due to communication difficulties.
7. Ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears (tinnitus).
8. Feeling fatigued or stressed from straining to hear.

A diagnostic hearing test is crucial for assessing hearing abilities and identifying any hearing loss. Here’s why it is important:

1. Early Detection and Treatment: Timely identification of hearing loss allows for early intervention and management. This can prevent further deterioration and improve overall communication and quality of life.
2. Accurate Diagnosis: A diagnostic hearing test provides comprehensive information about the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss. This information helps determine the most appropriate treatment options, such as hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or medical intervention if necessary.
3. Rule Out Underlying Issues: Hearing loss may sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as ear infections or tumors. A diagnostic hearing test can help identify such issues, allowing for appropriate medical treatment.
4. Personalised Treatment Planning: Each individual’s hearing loss is unique. A diagnostic hearing test helps audiologists customize treatment plans tailored to the individual’s specific needs and preferences, ensuring optimal hearing outcomes.

1. Case History: We will gather information about your medical history, any symptoms you’ve experienced, and any relevant exposure to noise or ototoxic medications. We will ask questions to know more about your day-to-day life and if there is any communication difficulties your encountering.
2. Physical Examination: We will then examine your ears using a video otoscope, checking for any physical abnormalities or blockages that could contribute to hearing loss. You will be able to see this too.
3. Pure-Tone Audiometry: This test measures your ability to hear different pitches and volumes by playing a range of tones through headphones or speakers. The results are plotted on an audiogram, indicating the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies.
4. Speech Audiometry: This assesses your ability to understand speech by listening to and repeating words or sentences at varying volumes. It helps determine the clarity of speech you can comprehend.
5. Tympanometry (assessing middle ear function) will be conducted for a more comprehensive evaluation of your middle ear function to ensure no pathologies exist.
6. Speech in noise testing which assesses your ability at which you can discriminate speech from noise (like a restaurant or a crowded situation). Most Uncomfortable levels will be tested as well to assess your hearing sensitivity.