Audiology Services

Comprehensive Audiological Evaluation

Includes an otoscopic examination, a hearing test, tympanometry testing, acoustic reflex testing and otoacoustic emission testing. The audiologists begins the evaluation with an otoscopic exam to check for ear infections, abnormal growths and/or debris in the ear canal. Tympanometry testing is performed to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the conduction bones, by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal. Acoustic reflex testing is an involuntary contraction that occurs in the middle ear in response to high-intensity sound stimuli presented. Otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing is a sound generated from within the inner ear, which disappears after the inner ear has been damaged. The hearing test is an evaluation of the sensitivity of a person’s hearing at different frequencies using an audiometer. Results of the test are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. If any part of the evaluation indicates medical complications, the audiologist will refer the patient to a physician for medical treatment.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Testing

A disorder in the way auditory information is processed in the brain. Individuals with APD usually have normal peripheral hearing ability.

Hearing Aid Evaluation and Dispensing

The audiologist helps the patient understand the results from the hearing test, make recommendations for treatment and management of their hearing loss based on individual needs and fits the patient with amplification after determining the most appropriate hearing aids.

Cerumen (wax) Removal

Ear wax is a sticky liquid secreted by cerumen glands in the ear canal. Cerumen glands are found only in the ear canals. The purpose of this natural wax is to protect the ear from damage, infection or foreign objects. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates and then dries up and moves outward until it falls out of the ear canal, carrying with it unwanted dust or sand particles. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent.

However, excess or impacted wax can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the ear canal and impair hearing, even in small amounts. When this happens, you should see your hearing care professional or physician so they can attempt irrigation (squirting warm water in the ear canal to flush out the wax) or scoop the wax out with a curette (a very small, metal ring at the end of a metal handle). If the wax is hard, your hearing care professional or physician may recommend using drops to soften the wax before cerumen removal is attempted. Removal of hard wax can be very painful.

WARNING:  Do not put sharp objects in your ear.

Ear Impressions

All custom hearing aids and earmolds are made from a “cast” of the ear with a soft and wet material that takes about 5 to 10 minutes to set up.

Aural Rehabilitation

Helping the patient and their family and friends learn communication strategies that are helpful to the patient with hearing loss.

Hearing Aid Repairs

Cleaning out wax or other grime that accumulates on hearing aids daily is a primary responsibility for each patient. Advanced Hearing Center offers repairs and service on most hearing aids when they aren’t performing properly. We can replace broken battery doors, replace wax guards in receiver tubes, check battery contacts for draining batteries and troubleshoot intermittence problems. Some repairs can be performed in the office, while other more complicated repairs may require being sent to the hearing aid manufacturer.

Earmolds (Hearing Aid, Noise, Swim, Stereo, Musician)

In ear monitors are to help you hear accurately so you can perform at your peak. The monitors help eliminate feedback, lower onstage noise levels and reduce vocal fatigue. The custom-made earmolds protect your ears while allowing you to hear with clarity and crispness.

Noise molds are custom-made and help reduce loud sounds such as loud music, gunfire, loud engines and airplanes.

Hearing aid earmolds are custom-made to fit in the ear and allows the sound from the hearing aid to be directed into the ear canal.

Swim molds are custom-made and form a seal to help prevent water from entering the ear canal. These are normally recommended to patients that have pressure equalization (PE) tubes, perforated eardrums or that are prone to swimmers ear.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALD’s)

These alerting devices can increase the loudness of a specific desired sound, like a telephone ringing or a doorbell chime.

Sign Language Interpretation

Communication between the audiologist with deaf patients by means of American Sign Language (ASL).