Hearing Tests

Dr. Walker of Joplin ENT performing an ear exam

What Is a Hearing Evaluation?

Hearing impairment affects more than just your ability to hear — it affects your quality of life. Joplin ENT stresses the importance of an accurate and timely hearing test. The hearing evaluation is just the beginning of your treatment, and it’s essential to setting your unique care plan in motion and taking action on hearing loss. Your in-depth hearing evaluation will help us craft a treatment plan that renews your ability to hear, allowing you to truly hear your best and live life on your terms.

Hearing Tests

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Step 1

Interview

The interview process helps our practice determine the extent of your hearing impairment and aids us in uncovering any specific areas requiring further attention. Here are some typical questions you’ll want to prepare for:

  • Has anyone else in your family had hearing problems?
  • Have you had any illnesses or injuries that might have affected your hearing?
  • Have you taken any medications that might have contributed to hearing impairment?
  • Have you been exposed to loud noises in your workplace or while participating in leisure activities?
A man smiling
A woman receives a hearing examination with an otoscope
Step 2

Visual Examination

Our hearing care providers take a close look inside your ear to figure out if the hearing difficulty you are experiencing could be caused by an obstruction or damage to the ear canal or eardrum.

Step 3

Hearing Tests

Next, we’ll need to figure out the nature of your hearing loss. There’s a chance we will include hearing tests, like the following:

  • A diagnostic pure-tone test to evaluate the softest level you’re able to detect different frequencies 250 to 8,000 hertz
  • A speech assessment to measure how well you hear and understand ordinary conversation at different volumes
  • A middle-ear evaluation to measure how your eardrum and hearing react to varying degrees of air pressure

If you are suffering from a hearing impairment, your results will be documented on an audiogram. An audiogram is created after you take a pure-tone hearing test, and it will map out the type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss. The audiogram shows your hearing loss by frequency, as pitch and loudness of sounds change. Frequencies are measured in hertz (Hz), and the loudness or intensity is measured in decibels (dB). We will help determine whether you have trouble hearing low or high pitches, and what that means for you moving forward.

A man receiving a hearing test
A woman being fitted with hearing aids
Step 4

Results & Treatment Options

Hearing Aids

We work with you to match your lifestyle needs with the most advanced technology, specifically designed to treat your unique hearing loss. The basic components of this instrument include a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, and a tiny processor. The exceptional effectiveness of your devices is the result of a powerful combination of professional expertise, software, and hardware.

Talk to us about treatment options

Frequently Asked Questions

A baseline hearing test is an initial evaluation that establishes your current hearing levels. It measures how well you hear across different frequencies and helps identify any hearing loss early. This test provides a reference point for future comparisons, allowing our audiologist to track changes over time and recommend the most appropriate treatment or other intervention.

Approximately 20 minutes.

This depends on lifestyle as well as on age. We recommend retesting as you notice changes in your hearing, especially if you are exposed to loud noise consistently through work or recreation. Your audiologist will also make personalized recommendations based on your hearing history, age, and risk factors. If you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of hearing loss, please call today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Walker of Joplin ENT performing a mouth/throat examination

Your Health Deserves Expert ENT Care

From better hearing and improved sleep to allergy relief and younger-looking skin, our team is here to help every member of your family feel their best. Discover compassionate ENT care right here in your community.

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