Hallie Garfield, Au. D.
Audiologist
Hearing Evaluations for All Ages
Our Audiologists perform comprehensive hearing evaluations for individuals of all ages. Our goal is for our clients and their families to understand their hearing loss and options for treatment. If you or someone you love suspect a change in hearing, call us today to schedule a diagnostic hearing evaluation.
Adult Hearing Evaluations:
What to expect: Your hearing test begins with a review of your medical history and an examination of your ears.
Air Conduction Testing: You will wear headphones and indicate when you hear soft beeping sounds. This test determines the softest tones you can hear over a range of frequencies.
Bone Conduction Testing: This testing determines how well the inner ear is functioning. You will wear a bone conduction device that sends sounds directly to the inner ear by vibration of the skull. Just like air conduction testing, you will be asked to indicate when you hear soft beeping sounds.
Speech Testing: These tests may be performed with and without background noise. You will be asked to repeat back words at different volumes. This test determines your ability to understand speech in different situations
If your hearing test indicates that you have hearing loss, the audiologist will discuss treatment options with you. If hearing aids are indicated, the type and severity of your hearing loss will be considered as well as cosmetic concerns, dexterity, lifestyle, and budget.
Family Members Welcome
Northeast Hearing & Speech Center encourages you to bring a trusted friend or family member with you to hearing test appointments. Our focus is to help you with any hearing or communication challenges, so it is helpful to bring someone with whom you communicate the most.
What your first visit will look like:
Conditioned Play Audiometry
Pediatric Hearing Evaluations:
What to expect: Hearing can be assessed at any age. No child is too young to have a full hearing assessment! We use a variety of methods to assess your child’s hearing. Sometimes we are able to complete all tests in one visit, but sometimes, depending on age and cooperation, multiple visits are required. We try to make this as fun for your child as possible! Please feel free to bring snacks and favorite toys to help your child feel comfortable and relaxed.
Otoscopy: This is a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum using a lighted device called an otoscope.
Tympanometry: A probe is placed in the ear canal to record movement of the eardrum, which is used to identify middle ear fluid or congestion.
Otoacoustic Emissions: A probe is placed in the ear canal to measure the inner ear’s response to sound.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry: For children ages 10 months to 2.5 years. Your child will sit on your lab in the sound booth between two speakers. The audiologist will talk, sing, and play sounds through the speakers and measure your child’s responses. Each response is reinforced by lighted toys or cartoons.
Conditioned Play Audiometry: For children ages 3-5. Your child will engage in a series of “listening games” while the audiologist records your child’s responses. Your child may also be asked to point to different pictures or repeat back words at different volumes.
Conventional Hearing Testing: For older children and teens. Tones will be presented over a range of various frequencies and the child indicates when the sound is heard. This measures the softest tones the child can hear over a range of frequencies.
After testing is complete, the audiologist will be able to describe the status of your child’s hearing. If hearing loss is indicated, you will be given full information regarding appropriate steps for follow-up.
Infant Hearing Evaluations:
Below are tests that are used to assess your baby’s hearing. Your baby may be referred for a repeat of the newborn hearing screening or for a diagnostic evaluation. To obtain accurate results, it is best for your baby to be sleeping during testing so your appointment time will be scheduled accordingly.
Otoscopy: This is a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum using a lighted device called an otoscope.
Tympanometry: A probe is placed in the ear canal to record movement of the eardrum, which is used to identify middle ear fluid or congestion.
Otoacoustic Emissions: A probe is placed in the ear canal to measure the inner ear’s response to sound.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Electrodes are placed on the forehead and earlobes to measure the brainstem’s response to sounds. The audiologist uses these responses at different pitches and loudness levels to estimate what the baby can and/or cannot hear.
After testing is complete, the audiologist will be able to describe the status of your baby’s hearing. If hearing loss is indicated, you will be given full information regarding appropriate steps for follow-up.
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Laura Keech
Audiologist
Schedule an Appointment
To book an appointment or to learn more about Northeast Hearing & Speech, contact us today!