Hearing Evaluation
Routine hearing screening, conducted by our audiology specialists in Anchorage, is important for everyone - children, adults, and the elderly. If untreated, hearing impairment in children can and impede language development. In adults and the elderly, regular evaluation can help them stay ahead of hearing loss, and ensure that they receive the appropriate care. We specialize in the measurement and diagnosis of hearing loss for both pediatric and adult patients. Our audiologists work with our ear, nose and throat specialists to recommend treatment that fits each individual's needs.
If you are concerned about hearing loss in yourself or a loved one, request an appointment online, or call our office at (907) 279-8800 and a member of our staff will help schedule an appointment.
Our highly-trained providers look forward to meeting you and answering all of your questions.
Request a ConsultationScreening
If you haven't had your hearing tested for several years, we encourage you to get screened by our audiologists. Hearing screening is a quick, cost-effective way to check for any signs of hearing loss.
The most common test is called pure tone audiometry, which establishes a threshold volume for hearing in each ear. This is the test with which most people are familiar. You sit in a soundproof room with headphones on and listen for beeps in each ear.
Evaluation
If the results of your screening indicates that additional tests are needed, we perform specialized hearing evaluations. These tests include:
Speech Audiometry
Based on the information gathered during the pure tone testing, we then perform speech audiometry to gauge the ability to understand speech presented above the threshold measured during the first part of the test. Both tests combined take about 30 minutes to complete.
Impedance Tympanometry
Impedance testing doesn't directly assess hearing sensitivity. Instead, the test assesses the Eustachian tube and the function of the middle ear. It can help detect if fluid is present in the middle ear, if the eardrum is perforated, or if wax is blocking the ear canal.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
This non-invasive test is routinely used in newborn hearing screening programs and for children too young to respond to instructions. An otoacoustic emission is a sound generated from the inner ear. We also use the OAE test to evaluate adult patients. Abnormal results may be an early indicator of inner ear disorders that can be treated with medical or surgical management.
Videonystagmography (VNG)
If you have bouts of dizziness or loss of balance, this series of tests evaluates the body's systems involved in balance, including the inner ear. During the evaluation, you wear special goggles allowing the audiologist to analyze involuntary eye movements. Results will help us determine if your dizziness is caused by a portion of the inner ear, or another cause.