Comprehensive Hearing Assessments

Hearing loss test in Sacramento

Most people who seek help for a hearing problem are not helped by traditional hearing tests.

A standard hearing test only evaluates one portion of hearing. We assume that you, like most of our patients, have sought help because hearing has become effortful, especially in noise. Our hearing system is one of our most elegant, elaborate and sophisticated senses; and in order to evaluate and measure the functioning of this system, more than just a hearing test is needed.  

After our unique evaluation of 5 step testing, you will leave with the answers and a solution that is designed just for your needs.  

STEP 1: INITIAL CONSULTATION

We begin with a detailed consultation with you and your primary communication partner. We want to better understand the situations where you are working hard to hear and having to put forth more effort to participate in conversation. Overall health history of exposure to loud sounds, medications, and family history are also important factors.

STEP 2: AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION

Next is a series of tests that are used to diagnose the health, condition, and functioning of your entire hearing system; which includes the outer ear, middle ear, eardrum, and cochlea (your inner ear).

This comprehensive evaluation includes:

  • Air and bone conduction testing and word recognition testing.
  • Otoacoustic emissions testing to assess the health and function of the outer hair cells in the cochlea.
  • Immittance testing including tympanometry and acoustic reflexes to assess your middle ear function.
  • Testing in background noise.

However, the ear is only one component of your body’s auditory system. Your brain plays a vital role in how information is received. This is why we also include hearing in noise testing to evaluate your brain’s sound processing abilities.

Through these evaluations, we’re able to locate where in the auditory system your hearing loss originates.

STEP 3: REAL-WORLD ENVIRONMENTS IN A SOUND BOOTH

We believe that this testing is the key to finding the solution for lack of clarity and effort in noise. We begin by measuring your ability to understand words and sentences in background noise. These are the situations where most people experience frustration. This test is not only dependent upon your hearing but also tests higher processing in the brain.

Although some audiologists include speech testing as part of their screening, their evaluations are almost never conducted in noisy situations that mimic the real world.

STEP 4: HEARING AID SELECTION AND TESTING

Depending on the results of the previous tests, the next step involves choosing the best hearing aid solution. 

At The Hearing Solution, our hearing aid recommendations are based on extensive testing to ensure you benefit from unrivaled sound clarity and processing. We call this testing in noise with different hearing aids our hearing aid performance assessment., It includes:

  • Using digital programming technology, we customize your hearing aid – based on real-time feedback from you and your primary communication partner.
  • Thereafter, we conduct a series of sound tests in noise, replicating a noisy restaurant and determine how accurately you hear words and sentences in these noisy environments.
  • We test you with different hearing aids from different manufacturers in this background noise. We are looking for a significant improvement in the clarity of speech or words in noise.

STEP 5: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY TEST DRIVE

We then invite you to “test drive” your hearing aids in the real world. By frequenting those environments and situations that give you the most difficulty, you’ll be able to assess how your hearing aids truly perform.

This selection process is not something that we rush – and neither should you. At The Hearing Solution, we take the time to find the most effective solution for you. There are no time limits on your test drive period.

Hearing loss test in Sacramento

UNDERSTANDING THE HEARING SOLUTION ADVANTAGE

Improved hearing isn’t simply a convenience or a luxury. It can dramatically improve the quality of your life—by improving the ease, accuracy, and quality of all of the conversations with the people that are most important to you! This is why we invest so much time and effort in testing, evaluation, education, and continual optimization of your hearing aids. 

We believe that finding the perfect solution for your hearing involves more than just a hearing aid.

To learn more about our unique approach, request a call back with one of our audiologists today.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

Hearing Test Faqs

How is hearing loss tested?

Embarking on a hearing loss test is both a science and an art. First off, it typically starts with a friendly chat about your hearing health history, which sets the baseline for personalized care. The magic then happens using state-of-the-art equipment in a soundproof room, ensuring accuracy and comfort. The core of the test is the pure-tone audiometry, where you’ll wear headphones and respond to various tones at different pitches and volumes - think of it as playing a highly specialized version of a listening game!

In addition, you might undergo speech recognition tests, which assess how well you hear and understand speech at different volumes, and tympanometry, which evaluates the health of your middle ear. It’s a fascinating journey where every beep and spoken word brings you closer to unlocking the full potential of your hearing.

Remember, undergoing a hearing test is the first brave step towards enhancing your life through better hearing. It’s an opportunity to turn up the volume on life’s beautiful moments, and with the right care and support, the journey towards clearer hearing can be seamless, enriching, and full of positive changes.

How much is a hearing test?

When it comes to the cost of a hearing test, there's fantastic news! Many hearing care professionals offer hearing evaluations at no cost, especially within hearing centers or clinics. However, if you’re seeking a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist, prices may vary depending on the provider and location. Generally, these can range from being free of charge to up to a couple of hundred dollars. Remember, it's not just a test; it's an investment in your hearing health and overall quality of life. Don't let the cost deter you from taking this critical step; instead, view it as a stepping stone toward embracing clearer sounds and conversations in your daily life!

How long does a hearing test take?

Great question! Typically, a hearing test is a breeze when it comes to time commitment. Most hearing evaluations are thorough yet efficient, taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes of your day. This time is crucial as it paves the way for understanding your hearing health, setting the stage for any necessary next steps. Imagine it as a short journey, at the end of which you could be stepping into a world of clearer sounds. And remember, this half-hour invests in the quality of your everyday interactions and experiences - definitely time well spent! Schedule Your Consultation here.

How often should I be seen by my audiologist?

It is recommended that you are seen every six months by your audiologist. In our practice we provide an annual audiometric evaluation and a biannual cleaning and checking of the hearing aid, using electroacoustic equipment and real ear probe mic measurements.

Do I have an attention problem or a hearing problem?

To hear well involves intention and attention. We refer to this as listening. However to listen well also requires good hearing. When you have not heard something correctly, as often occurs with a hearing loss, a breakdown in listening occurs. We like to talk about mishearing, you thought the person said fifth, when they said fist, or math instead of mass.

Very often I will hear a patient or client say, if I concentrate really hard, I can hear better. Or I can’t concentrate on voices when background noise is present, the voices are lost in the noise. Or accuse another of having selective hearing or selective attention. Even with a mild hearing loss, studies have found that we must “work harder” to be able to hear accurately. Working harder means we are recruiting from other areas of the brain such as attention and memory in order to hear accurately. This recruitment has been linked to the development of dementia.