Approximately 1 in 6 Australians are affected by hearing loss with 3 in 4 over the age of 70 requiring some form of rehabilitation. Hearing loss varies from person to person, it may be mild, moderate, severe or profound in nature, flat or sloping in shape and can be either permanent or temporary.
A comprehensive hearing test can determine the extent of the loss and enables our hearing specialists to outline the best form of rehabilitation for the patient. Some hearing losses may be treatable by medical intervention and others may require the use of hearing aids and/or rehabilitation.
What to expect at your hearing test
One of our clinician’s will greet you in the waiting room and take you through to our testing facility. It will start by having a brief discussion around any hearing issues/concerns along with a discussion around your general health. This will help in determining any underlying factors that may be associated with your hearing concerns.
Next the clinician will conduct an Otoscopic examination of your outer ear and tympanic membrane. This is conducted in order to assess the health and detect any possible contra-indications that may be present.
Your middle ear function will then be assessed using a piece of equipment known as a tympanometer. This test will identify any abnormalities that may be occurring within the middle ear system that are not visible through Otoscopic examination.
Next the Pure tone audiometry test will be conducted. You will be instructed by your clinician on the process which will involve two different types of hearing threshold testing known as air-conduction and bone conduction. By using both AC and BC testing your clinician will be able pin point the specific area where your hearing loss may be occurring.
Speech discrimination testing will be conducted to assess your ability to understand speech at different volumes and assess how well your brain processes speech.
Once all testing has been completed your clinician will take you through your results and work with you to identify the best course of action to treat your hearing needs.
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Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss occurs when the Cochlea, and/or the auditory nerve is damaged or malfunctions, it is unable to accurately send the electrical information to the brain. Sensorineural Hearing Loss is almost always permanent.
It can be genetic, caused by the natural aging process, result of disease, physical accident, exposure to loud noise, chemicals or medications.
Technologies such as Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants are commonly used to assist patients who have sensorineural hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss occurs when there is a problem with the Outer or Middle Ear which interferes with the passing of sound into the Inner Ear. It can be caused by things such as too much earwax, ear infections, eardrum perforations, fluid build-up, or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear such as otosclerosis. These types of hearing losses are typically treatable by medical intervention.
Mixed Hearing Loss occurs when both Conductive Hearing Loss and Sensorineural Hearing Loss are present. The sensorineural component is permanent, while the conductive component can either be permanent or temporary.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
A comprehensive hearing test can take anywhere from 45-60 minutes depending on the individual and the complexity of their hearing loss.
We offer bulk-billed services for all eligible Pension and DVA Card Holders, if you have one of these cards then click here to find out more. For clients not eligible to be bulk-billed we offer a FREE Hearing screen. Click here to book now.