diagnostic hearing tests
At Clayton Park Audiology our experienced registered audiologists provide comprehensive diagnostic hearing tests for adults and school-aged children.
Tests are conducted using the latest testing procedures and equipment. Following testing, results are reviewed, and patients/families are offered a follow-up telephone call for further discussion, if necessary.
You do not need a referral from your family physician to have your hearing tested. Clayton Park Audiology is a family-centered clinic. We recommend bringing a communication partner to every appointment.
Results will be sent to your family physician, upon request, for no additional fee. Our clinic does not direct-bill to private insurance plans for hearing testing. A detailed receipt will be provided for claim purposes.
Hearing Test Guidelines for Adults
Ages 18-54 without risk factors for hearing loss: Hearing tests every 5-10 years or sooner if concerns arise are recommended.
Ages 18-54 with risk factors for hearing loss: Hearing tests every 2-5 years or sooner if concerns arise are recommended. Some of the common risk factors for hearing loss are occupational and recreational noise exposure, family history of hearing loss, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
Ages 55 years and up: Hearing tests every 1-2 years or sooner if changes arise are recommended. As we age the likelihood of developing hearing loss-related chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease goes up making it more likely for our hearing to diminish from year to year.
Hearing Services for Children
Clayton Park Audiology provides diagnostic hearing services to children ages 4 and up.
Currently, Nova Scotia does not offer school-aged hearing screenings. All children should have their hearing tested before starting school. Families can self-refer their children to Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia for a complete hearing test covered under MSI. Families looking for immediate care can self-refer their children to our clinic for a hearing test.
Hearing Test Guidelines for Children
Newborn Hearing Screening. Your infant’s hearing should be screened shortly after birth in the hospital. If for some reason your infant’s hearing was not screened before leaving the hospital, you can contact Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia to have this completed.
Before starting school. Even a mild hearing loss can impact a child’s speech, language, learning, and social skills. In a noisy classroom setting the impact can be more severe. Having your child’s hearing checked regularly and treated as early as possible can lessen the impacts of untreated hearing loss.
Annually until grade 3. It is important to have your child’s hearing checked every year until they are better able to identify and report any hearing challenges they may be experiencing. Young children are also more likely to develop upper respiratory infections which can sometimes lead to fluid and/or middle ear infections which can cause a temporary decrease in hearing.
Preteen years (Grade 7). Having your pre-teen’s hearing checked before moving from elementary/junior high to high school is recommended. Classroom settings and learning environments will change during this time making it important to identify and treat hearing loss and make classroom modifications, if necessary.
Teen years (Grade 11). Having your teen’s hearing checked before starting university or college is recommended. Often post-secondary learning takes place in large auditoriums and classrooms with poor acoustics. Identifying and treating hearing loss before starting a career is also important so modifications can be arranged, if needed.
Hearing Test Process
01. Medical Case History
The hearing test process begins with a thorough medical history review. Hearing loss is often accompanied by other chronic health conditions that can contribute to or worsen one’s hearing loss over time.
02. Otoscopy
Visual inspection of the outer ear will be made using an otoscopic light. This allows the audiologist to assess the health of the ear canal and eardrum and see any abnormalities such as excessive ear wax, inflammation, and signs of infection.
03. Middle Ear Testing
The mobility of your eardrum and the three tiny bones (ossicles) inside the middle ear are assessed via a “pressure test” using specialized equipment. Involuntary protective reflexes known as “acoustic reflexes” found in the middle ear are also assessed.
04. Pure Tone Audiometry
Hearing sensitivity is assessed in a sound-insulated booth with insert or over-the-ear headphones. You will be asked to press a button when you hear tones at varying loudness levels and frequencies. The softest sound you can detect at each frequency is your “threshold” of hearing. If hearing loss is identified, bone conduction testing will be performed to rule out middle ear involvement.
05. Speech Audiometry
Also performed in the sound-insulated booth, you will be asked to repeat words at varying loudness levels with and without background noise present. This testing determines the softest level at which you can hear speech known as your “speech reception threshold” and your ability to understand speech at optimal listening levels known as your “word discrimination”.
06. Speech-In-Noise Testing
Communication difficulties in noisy places such as restaurants and other group settings are assessed with the Speech-In-Noise test. During this test you will be asked to repeat sentences in the presence of increasing background noise.
07. Loudness Discomfort Level Testing
Loudness discomfort levels are tested in clients with tinnitus and/or sound sensitivity. This measure is also used in the hearing aid fitting process.
Understanding Your Results
The results of your hearing test will be reviewed with you immediately following your assessment. Your audiologist will identify and explain which speech sounds are most affected by your type and degree of hearing loss. Treatment options, communication strategies, and environmental modifications for various listening environments will be provided.
Treatment and Recommendations
Following a thorough review of your results, your audiologist will recommend follow-up testing and treatment. Treatment options can include a trial with hearing aids and/or an assistive listening device, custom hearing protection, and tinnitus management. Recommendations are based on your test results, lifestyle, and individual needs.
If any medical concerns are found during your hearing assessment, the results of your test will be communicated with your physician for further investigation and intervention.