Hearing evaluations: what to expect

Dr. Casey will begin by looking at the ear (aka otoscopy) to determine if there are any structural or physical concerns that may cause you not to hear well within the ear canal. She will also inspect the eardrum, to determine if this is healthy or may require medical attention by a physician.

Afterwards, Dr. Casey will perform a pressure test (tympanometry) that will help determine if there is fluid behind the eardrum, if it is healthy, and/or to help gain insight to other middle ear-related problems.

Once completed, you will go inside the testing booth to have your hearing evaluated. This involves putting inserts into your ear canal to evaluate what you can hear and what you are able to discriminate. Our equipment is calibrated to ensure precise measurements of what you’re hearing or not. This process is simple and pain free! Dr. Casey will also perform a test where she puts a bone oscillator behind the ear on the (mastoid) bone. This test will help us know if the hearing loss is permanent, correctable or a combination of the two.

What about my pediatric patients? Not to worry, I will be able to test your hearing as well. Depending on the age of the patient, I will either do the same type of test as I do for adults (mentioned above) or we will play games or watch my animated toys play for you while you are getting your hearing evaluated. Adults, if you are feeling left out with all this type of fun, don’t fret, Dr. Casey will let you play with the toys or see the animation come to life too!