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Hearing Tests

A hearing test allows us to evaluate how your ears function. Hearing Health & Wellness Center provides comprehensive audiological evaluations for any type of hearing concern. Our services include diagnostic medical tests that can determine if the hearing loss is due to a medical condition or other factors including noise exposure, genetics, or the normal aging process. All hearing tests performed at Hearing Health & Wellness Center are performed by Board Certified audiologists.

Functional Hearing Assessment

The human ears receive sound, but the hearing process is not limited to the ears. The brain plays an integral role in the hearing process which is why when there is an issue with hearing, the response of the brain is expected to change.

A functional hearing assessment (FHA) helps audiologists understand how a patient hears in the real world. An FHA provides a more detailed picture of how a person communicates, from the ears to the brain. A person with hearing loss may have challenges beyond struggling to hear in noisy situations; he or she may also have memory issues, may feel that they get distracted easily, experience social anxiety, or have the need to withdraw from social situations.

Functional hearing assessments will help us better understand hearing concerns and provide a wider reach on how to address them.

Hearing Test: What To Expect

During a standard hearing test, a series of beeps and tones will be played through headphones and you will be asked to respond each time you hear them. The test aims to determine the softest level you can hear of a certain tone. We will also play speech at various volume levels and request you to repeat back what you hear. This is a crucial part of the hearing test so we can better understand how well your ears function.

Functional hearing assessments are more similar to comprehensive hearing assessments compared to traditional hearing tests. Each FHA is unique, so there is no definite time for how long a test will take for each individual. Typically, a functional hearing assessment may take between 1-2 hours.

The Problem With Untreated Hearing Loss

Did you know that untreated hearing loss deprives the brain of information, which could lead to cognitive decline and impairment? A “feedback loop” exists between hearing and cognition, a connection that signifies the importance of assessing the needs and gaps of the brain as part of a comprehensive hearing loss treatment plan.

Our goal in treating hearing loss is not only to amplify sounds but to help deliver more significant information to the brain. Through comprehensive hearing assessments, we can increase the ease of listening and reduce the cognitive load along the way. Proper hearing aid fitting and understanding how the brain interprets sound is essential in developing a successful and efficient treatment plan.

Hearing Test FAQs

Can I test my own hearing?

Technically, yes, you can test your own hearing. There are various online hearing tests out there that can initially give you an idea of your hearing health. However, there are various aspects of testing that online hearing tests cannot fully cover unlike one-on-one hearing testing with an audiologist.

Results of online hearing tests are not 100% accurate and would still need to be verified with an audiologist for further testing and discussion.

Is functional hearing assessment painful?

A functional hearing assessment is painless.

Are FHAs covered by insurance?

Please contact your health insurance provider for specific information regarding your coverage.

Hearing Tests in Plantsville, CT

Hearing Health & Wellness Center is proud to offer Functional Hearing Assessments.

Testimonials

“Very pleased with my visits. Linda is always professional and knowledgeable, and aware of my needs. I feel quite confident in trusting her with my hearing issues. Joelle is always pleasant and accommodating. We are lucky to have Hearing Health & Wellness Center in our community.”

– Kathleen K.

“I’ve been wearing hearing aids for over 30 years and was very familiar with sales tactics of other companies. With Hearing Health & Wellness Center, I felt like I was with a medical professional, not a salesperson. Prices are fair and the customer service is Outstanding…

– Ron Stech

Dr Vasile is professional and makes you very comfortable. Thorough and gives you time to get information and answer questions. I have to say I was impressed with her as well as her assistant. Was a very beneficial appointment and I look forward to a good relationship.

– Bonnie Dow

Testimonials

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you self refer to an audiologist?

Basically, yes. Through self-referral, you are not obliged to see a physician or practice nurse before making an appointment with an audiologist. The majority, if not all, third party payers will need a referral, even though neither state licensure nor an audiologist’s ethics necessitate one. It is best to confirm the details of the referral with the specific payer. Payers, however, are generally reasonable and permit a broad recommendation, as is the case with Medicare. Medicare accepts written correspondence signed by the treating practitioner or his or her office, phone calls from the practitioner or his or her office, or emails from the practitioner or his or her office (section 80.6.1 of Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual).

Do you need a doctor's referral for a hearing test?

Presently, a physician referral is required for all diagnostic audiological treatments covered by Medicare; nevertheless, the main factor affecting payment is the reason for the test. Medicare will pay for medically appropriate and required procedures to diagnose and treat a patient’s illness. For each service that is invoiced, the clinician is required to document in the medical record the precise sign, symptom, or medical complaint that prompted the service.

Is a hearing aid specialist the same as an audiologist?

A hearing aid specialist can perform a simple hearing evaluation on you and fit you with a hearing aid. A wider range of hearing, balance, and related audiological problems can be assessed and diagnosed by audiologists. The medical experts responsible for identifying the underlying cause of hearing loss are audiologists since they are trained in the pathology of hearing loss. Contrarily, a hearing aid specialist is only concerned with conducting hearing tests to fit hearing aids.

Is a hearing aid dispenser the same as an audiologist?

Professionals who test hearing and provide aftercare for hearing aids are known as hearing aid dispensers (HADs). Hearing aid dispensers must be licensed and certified in order to use hearing technology. A wider variety of hearing and balance problems can be assessed and diagnosed by audiologists. For treatments that are more closely tied to medicine, such as balance issues, Ear wax, and hearing loss brought about by exposure to noise, an audiologist may be more appropriate. Both professionals are competent in fitting and adjusting hearing aids as well as performing cleaning, maintenance, and repairs.

What does an audiologist do?

Analysis tests are primarily carried out by audiologists to assess a patient’s hearing capacity. Audiologists can identify and treat hearing loss with hearing aids and other devices. They devote a lot of effort to teaching patients and their families better communication and hearing-care techniques. Audiologists can also diagnose and handle patients who have issues with hearing and balance, and can carry out professional Ear wax removal.

Are cheap hearing aids worth buying?

Hearing aids that are purchased on the cheap are not nearly as effective as those that are fitted and maintained by a qualified hearing healthcare professional. The sophisticated noise filters and abrupt noise mitigation capabilities of more expensive versions are absent from inexpensive hearing aids. In fact, inexpensive hearing aids have the ability to produce loud noises that can further harm your hearing.

What is the most common reason for hearing loss?

Numerous factors can lead to hearing loss, so it’s crucial to obtain a thorough hearing evaluation to choose the most effective course of action. Regular exposure to excessively loud noises can increase one’s susceptibility to hearing loss over time. As a person gets older, age-related hearing loss is expected to happen gradually. Hearing loss may also result from taking certain treatments or medications.

Is professional ear wax removal worth it?

Attempting to clean out your ears using cotton swabs could further impact wax, while pointy objects can cause injuries to your ear canal. To avoid damaging delicate ear parts, we strongly advise professional Ear wax removal to remove wax buildup rather than using do-it-yourself methods. Professional ear wax removal is quick and generally painless. Audiologists have the appropriate tools and methods to ensure that your ears are safe during the procedure.

Learn more about how we can help.

Hearing Health & Wellness Center provides comprehensive preventative, diagnostic, and rehabilitation hearing services for pediatric and adult patients. Call us today to schedule your appointment.