About Hearing Tests
Merita Health provides comprehensive audiology and hearing evaluations for both children and adults. Our audiologists assist with diagnosis, hearing aids, and treatment plans to improve communication and quality of life for individuals with hearing concerns.
Our Hearing Services
- Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation: Full diagnostic assessment
- Tympanometry: Middle ear function testing
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs): Inner ear function testing
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Neural pathway testing
- Hearing Aid Evaluation & Fitting: Digital hearing aid services
- Tinnitus Evaluation & Management: Ringing in ears treatment
Signs You May Need a Hearing Test
Consider a hearing test if you experience:
- Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in noise
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Turning up TV or radio volume louder than others prefer
- Ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in ears (tinnitus)
- Feeling that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds (birds, doorbells)
- Withdrawal from social situations due to hearing difficulty
- Family members expressing concern about your hearing
Types of Hearing Tests
| Test Type |
Purpose |
Duration |
| Pure Tone Audiometry |
Measures hearing thresholds at different frequencies |
15-20 minutes |
| Speech Audiometry |
Evaluates speech understanding ability |
10-15 minutes |
| Tympanometry |
Assesses middle ear function and eardrum mobility |
5-10 minutes |
| Otoacoustic Emissions |
Tests inner ear (cochlear) function |
10-15 minutes |
| Auditory Brainstem Response |
Evaluates hearing nerve pathway to brain |
30-60 minutes |
Hearing Loss Types & Causes
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Damage to inner ear or auditory nerve (aging, noise exposure, medications)
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Problems in outer or middle ear (earwax, fluid, infection, otosclerosis)
- Mixed Hearing Loss: Combination of sensorineural and conductive
- Sudden Hearing Loss: Rapid onset requiring immediate attention
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: From exposure to loud sounds
- Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): Gradual hearing loss with aging
The Hearing Evaluation Process
- Case history and hearing concern discussion
- Visual examination of ear canals and eardrums
- Pure tone hearing test in sound-treated booth
- Speech understanding assessment
- Middle ear function tests (tympanometry)
- Results explanation and discussion
- Treatment recommendations and options
- Follow-up plan development
Benefits of Hearing Testing
- Early detection of hearing problems
- Improved communication and relationships
- Enhanced safety and awareness of surroundings
- Better cognitive function (untreated hearing loss linked to dementia)
- Increased social engagement and quality of life
- Prevention of further hearing damage
- Access to appropriate treatment options
