Hearing Evaluations and Testing

Studies have shown that people with hearing loss benefit from early identification.

Participating in a hearing test is easy and completely painless.

During your hearing evaluation, we will get a better understanding of how hearing loss is impacting your daily life, and this includes discussing your medical history. We will also use state-of-the-art equipment to determine your current hearing ability and discuss how you may have developed your hearing loss.

Undergoing a hearing evaluation will help us gain a better understanding of the volumes and frequencies you can hear as well as how well you understand the speech of others. If you do have hearing loss, it’s our goal to provide you with comprehensive information so that you can decide which course of treatment is right for you.

Hearing Evaluations are Crucial for Long-Term Hearing Health

You could have an impairment and not even know it, which is why we recommend that everyone undergo a hearing evaluation, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.

Most people don’t realize how important a hearing evaluation can be, both for preserving your natural hearing ability and for uncovering any hearing impairments that you may have. With our comprehensive hearing evaluations, that time is spent learning about your hearing ability and making plans to improve it.

Hearing Evaluations are Crucial for Long-Term Hearing Health

You could have an impairment and not even know it, which is why we recommend that everyone undergo a hearing evaluation, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.

Hearing Loss in One Ear Versus Hearing Loss in Both Ears

Hearing loss doesn’t always affect both ears. Sometimes, you can have hearing loss in one ear; this is also known as unilateral hearing loss or unilateral deafness.

Hearing loss in one ear or both ears can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as:

Aging
Chronic ear infections
The use of particular drugs
Certain infectious diseases
Exposure to excessive noise
Genetic causes
Complications at birth

Your course of treatment really depends on your evaluation and specific condition.

Our hearing evaluations are designed to diagnose exactly which part of your ear isn’t functioning and thus allows us to create the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

Hearing loss is as varied as the people it affects. What works for one patient may not work for another, so that’s why Alison Burks Clinic of Hearing, Inc. takes a customized approach to your care.

Want to do more now? Take our quick online hearing test to see if you have hearing loss!

There are four different types of hearing loss:

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It occurs due to a problem with the inner ear or auditory nerve. It presents itself when either the auditory nerve or the hair-like cells in the cochlea have sustained damage or are missing, resulting in the inability to send complete nerve signals to the brain.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by the following:

Genetics
Malformation of the inner ear
Exposure to loud noise
Aging
Head trauma
Illnesses
Drugs that are toxic to hearing (ototoxicity)

Conductive Hearing Loss

Although rather uncommon and typically temporary, a conductive hearing loss can is caused when an issue in the outer or middle ear blocks sound from the inner ear. Treatment involves the use of medication or surgery. Some individuals opt to use hearing aids to improve their hearing ability.

Conductive hearing loss can be caused by:

Ear infections
Benign tumors
Swimmer’s Ear
Foreign object in the ear
Fluid in the middle ear from colds
Absence or malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
Allergies
Perforated eardrum
Impacted cerumen (earwax)

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss occurs when multiple parts of the ear’s anatomy are damaged. In most cases, both the middle or outer ear along with the auditory nerve or inner ear have encountered one of the conditions listed above. The conductive hearing loss present may be reversible while the sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent.

Auditory Processing Disorders

Rather than a hearing impairment which affects the ability to detect sounds, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) causes individuals to struggle with their ability to organize, analyze, and interpret noises around them. While all parts of the ear are functioning properly, the auditory processing centers in the brain do not function normally and it is often due to a tumor, disease, injury, heredity, or an unknown cause. APD does not always include hearing loss and many times the treatments for this disorder are dramatically different when compared to treatment for a hearing loss.

Rather than a hearing impairment which affects the ability to detect sounds, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) causes individuals to struggle with their ability to organize, analyze, and interpret noises around them. While all parts of the ear are functioning properly, those with APD find that the hurdle they encounter is in their brain. Often caused by a tumor, disease, injury, heredity, or an unknown cause, the auditory processing centers in the brain do not function normally. APD does not always include hearing loss and many times the treatments for this disorder versus a hearing impairment are dramatically different.

According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have some form of hearing loss – and 34 million of those people are children.

Hearing loss is as varied as the people it affects. What works for one patient may not work for another, so that’s why we take a customized approach to your care.

At Premium Hearing Care we utilize a collaborative approach to hearing healthcare so we will work together as a team. Your needs and priorities are just as important as our recommendations. We also understand the value that family members and friends can bring to this important visit. We encourage all patients to bring a loved one with them to their hearing evaluation. This can also help to make you feel more relaxed and allows you to discuss your options with someone you love and trust.

We pride ourselves on taking a personalized approach to hearing healthcare, and never attempt to recommend options that take on a “one size fits all” mindset. Instead, we know that your hearing needs are as unique as you are, and we will work to create a customized solution that fits both your budget and lifestyle.

Want to do more now? Take our quick online hearing test to see if you have hearing loss!

Improve your hearing health. Change your life today

At Alison Burks Clinic of Hearing, Inc., we are focused on your journey through hearing. Whether you think you may have a minor hearing loss or you’re experiencing a more severe form of hearing loss, we are your partner in your hearing health journey.