Hearing Testing

Hearing Services - Diagnosis and Treatment of Hearing Disorders

Services Offered at Woman's Center for Wellness

Newborn hearing screenings and follow-up using otoacoustic emissions

Diagnostic and otoneurological auditory brainstem response testing

Basic comprehensive hearing evaluations

Hearing aid consultations

Hearing aid fittings

Hearing aid repairs

Hunter’s earmolds, swimmer’s earmolds, and musician’s earmolds

Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (OAE)

Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are sounds that are produced in the inner ear and measured in the ear canal. OAEs are present in nearly all people with normal hearing. OAE measurement can be used to screen the hearing of infants and small children, as well as others that typically may not tolerate regular hearing testing.

OAE testing is performed on every infant born at Woman’s Hospital. Infants who do not pass this initial hearing screening are referred back to our clinic for further testing.

OAE testing is performed in a quiet test room. Testing is most effective when the patient is sitting quietly or sleeping. To ensure that baby is relaxed for the testing, parents may consider bringing a pacifier or bottle. Test results will be obtained more quickly with a sleeping infant or child.

Test results will be provided to parents on the day of the test and the finished report will be forwarded to the referring doctor.

Auditory Brainstem Response Testing (ABR)

This test is often used when more information than what is provided with OAE is needed to complete an in-depth evaluation of hearing or the auditory system.

How is the test done?

Sensors called electrodes are taped to the forehead and ears of the patient. A series of sounds are presented through earphones. The electrodes pick-up electrical energy produced by the auditory nerve and brain in response to this sound.

The computer averages the responses and produces a waveform that shows the responses.

This test causes no discomfort. The patient need not do anything but relax and lay quietly. Children younger than six months of age can be tested while in a natural sleeping state. Children older than six months and those who experience difficulty sitting still for a long period of time may require a mild sedative prescribed by their physician. Children requiring sedation may not eat two hours prior to the test and need to be sleep deprived.

The test procedure can last from approximately 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours.

Test results will be provided on the day of the test and the finished report will be forwarded to the patient and the referring doctor.

Behavioral Hearing Testing

With older children and adults, hearing can be assessed using traditional testing methods. Hearing tests are performed in a soundproof booth using headphones. The patient is instructed to respond to tones in a variety of ways. This test gives the examiner important information about the patient’s hearing in both ears.

For young children who will not wear headphones and cannot be trained to respond to the tones, soundfield testing using speakers can be performed. This testing is typically called Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA). The child can be trained to look for sounds being presented through speakers. Research has shown that VRA is a good measure of the softest sounds a child can hear.

Test results will be provided on the day of the test and the finished report will be forwarded to the patient and the referring doctor.

Hearing Aids

Audiologists provide hearing aid evaluations and fittings for women, men, and children. The evaluation includes a hearing test and a private consultation to discuss the type of hearing aid that is most appropriate for the patient’s hearing loss. Because every person’s hearing needs are different, Hearing Services offers a wide variety of hearing aid styles.

The newest technology in conventional, programmable, and digital hearing aids is also available from a variety of manufacturers, including Widex, Oticon, Siemens, ReSound, and Phonak.

All hearing aids have a one-year warranty that covers loss and damage, remake, and repair. A 30-day trial period on conventional and programmable hearing aids and a 45-day trial period on digital hearing aids are also available.

The hearing aid fitting includes detailed instructions of the use and care of the hearing aid as well as testing to determine how well the hearing aid works for the patient. With younger clients, parents are also counseled concerning resources available in the community to meet their child’s individual needs.

If you feel you, your child or someone you care about is experiencing hearing challenges, discuss your concerns with your pediatrician or family doctor. Inquire about the need to initiate specialized services.