Hear Wellness Assessments
Hear Wellness Assessment – Functional Hearing Assessment
Beyond The Beep Test
If you or a loved one are struggling to hear in more difficult listening environments such as social situations, groups or restaurants, a basic hearing evaluation may not be enough. Also, if you have unsuccessfully tried hearing aids in the past, a basic hearing evaluation may not be providing all the answers needed to make you a successful hearing aid user.
Basic hearing evaluations, the “beep test” everyone thinks of when you say hearing test, are just that, basic. They simply tell us the lowest level that you hear a beep. The evaluation tells us little to nothing about how you hear in the real world.
At Duncan Hearing Healthcare, we know that hearing is more than just hearing beeps! Hearing connects you to the world around you including family, friends, co-workers and hearing keeps you safe! Hearing properly is the foundation for good communication, which helps strengthen relationships with our loved ones.
Studies have shown that untreated hearing problems create a barrier to communication, it can lead to changes in brain cognition or brain function, can put you at a greater risk of falling, and can lead to social isolation, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Underlying issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes can further cause hearing issues.
We want to know how your hearing difficulties are affecting you and your relationships and how you feel about it, not just how these difficulties are affecting your communication. Because it is about so much more, you hear with your ears but listen with your brain. We have developed the Hear Wellness Assessment to take a look at not just your ears but everything that could affect your auditory experience and anything that could affect your treatment options. The Hear Wellness Assessment provides testing in noise as well as looking at the cognitive components that assist with understanding what we hear. This assessment looks at hearing, listening, comprehending, communicating and how this affects you day to day. Having this information can lead to better recommendations, more effective treatment options and better outcomes to new patients or those who have struggled with hearing aid usage in the past.
The 3 Easy Steps to Your Comprehensive Hearing Assessment
Q: How long does the Hear Wellness Assessment Take?
A: The Hear Wellness Assessment is a comprehensive assessment and does take longer than the basic hearing evaluation. The appointment can take anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Q: Should I have a basic evaluation or the Hear Wellness Assessment?
A: If you are noticing that you are struggling to hear, especially in more challenging environments and this has gradually become worse over time, then the Hear Wellness Assessment is recommended.
This assessment was designed for exactly these types of issues. Changes in our auditory system, brain and balance systems are gradual as we age and sometimes creep up on us. It’s important to have them fully evaluated to establish a baseline so that moving forward we have something to compare to if additional changes are noted. Being proactive when it comes to your auditory health can reduce the risks of cognitive decline, falling, tinnitus and can affect your overall success with treatment.
Q: Does my insurance cover the cost of the Hear Wellness Assessment?
A: No, the Hear Wellness Assessment is an out of pocket investment into your hearing health and well being. It is done in addition to your basic hearing evaluation which is covered by insurance. The basic evaluation will still be billed and covered by insurance. The additional investment for the time, testing and wellness plan development is $295. However, this is redeemable against any of our treatment plans.
Q: Do I need to bring or do anything prior to my visit?
A: Yes, Simply complete the intake paperwork and questionnaires that were either mailed or emailed prior to your visit. Bring any completed paperwork along with your insurance cards and picture ID to the appointment. We ask that you be well rested, wear comfortable clothing and footwear and if you wear glasses, please bring those with you as well. Also, please bring a family member or close friend with you to the test as we do like to have someone with you who communicates closely with you to answer some questions as well regarding your communication.
Comprehensive Auditory/Cognitive Hearing Assessment
#1 Health History
#1 Health History
Obtaining your comprehensive medical history is important. Research shows that body systems are interrelated. We can’t simply just look at your ears as they don’t exist in a vacuum. Changes in hearing are associated with changes in cognition or brain function, cardiovascular function, diabetes, balance/falls, and much, much more.
Obtaining your social history is important. Hearing connects you to people and your surroundings. Changes in hearing are associated with social isolation, anxiety, fatigue, loneliness, and depression.
We want to get to know you. Looking at the full picture helps us use the results from each test to customize your Hear Wellness Plan to get the best results for you!
#2 Video Otoscopy and Earwax Removal
#2 Video Otoscopy and Earwax Removal
Have you ever seen what the inside of your ear looks like? We can’t wait to show you. We have a camera to give both of us a better view. Though earwax has a purpose, too much of it can impact your hearing. If we see too much, we will remove it through suction, irrigation, or using instruments. We have the new revolutionary Earigator system available to use if possible to flush your ears comfortably and easily!
#3 Dexterity
#3 Dexterity
Dexterity plays an important role in treatment options. Many patients have difficulty managing small or intricate objects because of arthritis, neuropathy or other issues and this must be assessed before deciding upon treatment options so the wrong choice is not made. Things like managing cleaning, battery changing, button pushing and insertion of hearing devices if necessary must be taken into consideration prior to selection. We use the Purdue Pegboard Test to complete a simple assessment to quickly and painlessly determine your dexterity level or identify any pre clinical neurological changes.
#4 Balance
#4 Balance
There are many different reasons you may be at risk for falling, one of which could be untreated hearing loss, which can increase your risk of falling by up to 8 times. We evaluate your balance through the simple and practical Timed Up and Go (TUG) screening as well as the GANS SOP test. We may recommend at home exercises or refer you to specialized physical or vestibular therapy. Our goal is to help you lessen the risk of falling which in turn will lessen the risks of unnecessary ER visits, possible overnight hospital stays and unnecessary rehabilitation and/or long term healthcare facility placements.
#5 Cognition
#5 Cognition
Untreated hearing loss is linked to changes in cognition; the rate of decline can increase by up to 5 times. Cognitive ability can make all the difference in “how” a person hears. Two people can have the same degree of hearing loss yet function very differently in the world, cognitive functioning is often the reason why. Our procedure uses a groundbreaking new FDA-cleared system called the Cognivue that will screen your executive function, memory, visuospatial skills, reaction time and processing speed. Recent research indicates that treating hearing loss can slow down or potentially even reverse mild cognitive decline. If hearing aids are recommended, this screening will help us select the best hearing devices for you as part of your plan of care.
#6 Hearing
#6 Hearing
Hearing Diagnostics – This evaluation allows an audiologist to look at all parts of your hearing system from your ear to your brain, including your outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and auditory processing. It’s non-invasive, pain free, and will determine if any of your hearing challenges are medically treatable.
#7 Hearing in Noise
#7 Hearing in Noise
Hearing In Noise – Hearing in noise is the most common hearing complaint. This test measures how well you can focus on what you want to hear in noisy environments and your listening effort in noise. This information helps us recommend the best treatment options for you, including hearing aid selection/programming, accessories, and auditory training.
Sound/Noise Tolerance – Everyone has different sound preferences. This test allows us to understand which sounds are uncomfortably loud for you and how long you can tolerate being in noisy situations. Your sensitivity impacts which devices we choose and how we program them.
#8 Development of Your Hear Wellness Plan
#8 Development of Your Hear Wellness Plan
Our approach is tailored to YOU for your unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Based on all of the information that we collected during this process, we create a Hear Wellness Plan. Your plan includes a comprehensive take-home report for you and your physician. This details the results of your tests and any needed referrals, such as primary care, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, neurology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Then we help make your next steps as simple as possible and walk you through “next steps”. We will also have baseline measurements to use after consistent hearing aid use to see where improvement can be noted.
#9 Implementation of Wellness Plan
#9 Implementation of Wellness Plan
If your Hear Wellness Plan indicates that you may benefit from the use of amplification, hearing protection, musicians earplugs or any other hearing related service that we can help you with, we will discuss those options with you. We will be happy to discuss these treatment options at length, discuss possible insurance coverages and any out of pocket investments. Our goal is to help you improve your life through better hearing and audiologic care. If you have any questions along the way, don’t ever hesitate to reach out. We are here for you each step of the way. As your health, hearing, and lifestyle change over time we will reevaluate and adjust your plan as needed.
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