Advanced Hearing Assessment

A complete hearing assessment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, including the consultation, ear examination, and audiometry testing. The actual hearing test portion takes approximately 20 minutes, during which you listen to tones and words through headphones. If additional tests like tympanometry or otoacoustic emissions are needed, the total appointment may extend to 60 minutes. We schedule sufficient time to ensure thorough evaluation without rushing.

No, hearing tests are completely painless and non-invasive. During pure tone audiometry, you simply listen to sounds through headphones and indicate when you hear them by pressing a button. Speech audiometry involves repeating words you hear. Tympanometry uses gentle air pressure changes in the ear canal, which feels like a mild pressure sensation but causes no pain. The entire experience is comfortable for patients of all ages.

Avoid loud noise exposure for at least 24 hours before the test, as temporary noise-induced hearing shifts can affect results. Bring any previous audiograms for comparison, a list of current medications, and information about your noise exposure history. If you have earwax buildup, it may need to be removed before testing for accurate results. Arrive a few minutes early to complete registration and discuss your hearing concerns with the audiologist.

An audiogram is a graph that displays your hearing ability at different frequencies (pitches) and volumes. The horizontal axis shows frequency from low to high pitch, while the vertical axis shows volume in decibels. Your results are plotted for each ear separately. The audiogram reveals the type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed), its severity (mild, moderate, severe, or profound), and which frequencies are affected, guiding your ENT specialist in recommending the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment depends entirely on the cause and type of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss caused by ear infections, wax buildup, or fluid behind the eardrum is often treatable with medication or minor procedures. Otosclerosis may be treated surgically. Sensorineural hearing loss from noise damage or aging is typically managed with hearing aids or, in severe cases, cochlear implants. Early detection provides the best outcomes regardless of the type, which is why regular hearing assessments are valuable.

Tinnitus, the perception of ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears, can result from many causes including hearing loss, noise exposure, ear infections, earwax impaction, certain medications (particularly high-dose aspirin and some antibiotics), TMJ disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. Stress and fatigue can worsen tinnitus. Our specialists evaluate tinnitus comprehensively to identify treatable causes and provide management strategies including sound therapy, medication adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot efficiently travel through the outer or middle ear to the inner ear. Common causes include earwax blockage, fluid behind the eardrum, ear infections, and otosclerosis. This type is often medically or surgically treatable. Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear hair cells or auditory nerve, caused by aging, noise exposure, or certain medications. It is usually permanent but manageable with hearing aids. Mixed hearing loss involves both types.

Adults should have a baseline hearing test and then follow-up assessments every three to five years if hearing is normal. After age 50, annual hearing tests are recommended as age-related hearing loss becomes more common. People regularly exposed to loud noise at work or recreation should be tested annually. If you notice any change in hearing, tinnitus, or ear fullness, schedule a hearing assessment promptly regardless of when your last test was, as sudden hearing loss requires urgent evaluation.