Hear Wellness Assessments

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.