Hearing Evaluations
Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations
- Diagnostic evaluations for pediatrics (newborns and kids) and adults
- Tinnitus evaluations
- Video otoscopy
Once your hearing health has been evaluated by one of our audiologists, we will help create a treatment plan that works for you. The plan may include:
- Hearing aid demonstration/consultations
- Hearing aid fittings
- Communication strategies
- Assistive listening devices
- Tinnitus management strategies
- Custom hearing protection
The purpose of a comprehensive hearing evaluation is to determine the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss present. It also serves as a tool to evaluate overall aural health. Our audiologists complete baseline, annual, and medical hearing evaluations depending on the individual need of the patient.
At your comprehensive hearing evaluation, you can expect the audiologist to ask a detailed case history about your overall health, hearing health history, noise exposure, and more. They will complete a comprehensive visual exam of your ears and complete behavioral testing. Behavioral testing includes pure tone air/bone conduction testing and comprehensive speech testing. If needed, further diagnostic evaluations will be included to further evaluate the status of other ear structures (i.e.: middle and inner ear).
The purpose of an auditory brainstem response evaluation is to objectively estimate hearing thresholds in children or individuals unable to reliably respond to behavioral testing. It is also used in cases of suspected retrocochlear pathologies such as acoustic neuromas.
At your or your child’s ABR appointment, you can expect the audiologist to use several electrodes attached to different places on the head to measure the brain’s response to different sound stimuli. As the patient, you get to relax and take a nap while the audiologist does all the hard work! We do not do sedated ABRs in our office. We rely on a sleep-deprived patient in order to obtain clear results. This evaluation can take anywhere from one to three hours, so plan accordingly.
The purpose of a central auditory processing evaluation is to determine the brain’s ability to process auditory information beyond what we typically see during a comprehensive behavioral hearing evaluation of the peripheral auditory system.
At your or your child’s CAPD appointment, an in-depth case history and a combination of at least six different listening exercises will be completed. Based upon the pattern of findings, the audiologist will review results with you regarding your central auditory processing strengths and weaknesses and give recommendations accordingly. Children must be at least 8 to be tested for CAPD. This evaluation takes about two to three hours, so plan accordingly.
Pediatric Hearing Evaluations
The first three years of life are one of the most critical time periods for speech and language development, cognitive development, and development of auditory nerve pathways. Newborn hearing screenings are imperative for early intervention. Early intervention enables children to learn to communicate comparably with his or her hearing peers and not fall behind in cognitive and social skills.
The State of Montana requires the Department of Health to implement a newborn hearing screening to test each child within the first month of life. Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital completes these screenings before the baby leaves the hospital. Infants who do not pass the initial hearing screenings are scheduled for follow-up with their pediatricians and then for further evaluation by an audiologist.
The follow-up evaluations should be completed within three months of birth to ensure early intervention if necessary.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all device. We offer a wide range of hearing aids that include different styles, technology levels, companies and prices, allowing you to choose what works best for you.
Hearing aid brands serviceable in our office:
Hearing Aid Styles
Advancements in technology have led to the creation of many different hearing aid styles. The hearing aids of today are much smaller and better functioning than those of a few years ago. We offer several options for in the ear and behind the ear.
Patient Education and Resources
Check Your Hearing - Self-Quiz
- Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice than they used to?
- Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?
- Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence, or frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves?
- When you are together with other people, does background noise bother you?
- Do you often need to turn up the volume on your TV or radio? Do others tell you it is too loud?
- Do you find it difficult to hear the doorbell or the telephone ring?
- Is it difficult to carry on a telephone conversation?
- Do you find it challenging to pinpoint the location of an object (i.e. a telephone) from the noise it makes?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the above questions you would benefit from a hearing consultation.