Hearing Evaluations and Testing

Whether this is your very first hearing assessment or you’re seeking a second opinion, we’ve got you covered.

Together, we will complete a comprehensive hearing exam that will result in a detailed outline of your unique hearing profile.

From there, we will discuss your current treatment plan (if you have one) and what your best options are in moving forward.

Baseline Testing should begin at age fifty (if hearing is normal, then a few years later).

We have a solution for every budget. We understand that treating hearing loss is a sensitive process and we want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision – on your own time.

Get Screened for Hearing Loss with our Online Screener

When we fit a hearing aid, we want to make sure it is perfect. This is why we use real ear measurements (REMs), which uses sophisticated technology and hundreds of data points to ensure your hearing aids fit like a glove.

Our practice is one of less than 30% of hearing care providers that performs real-ear measurements when fitting patients with new hearing aids. REM’s result in better fittings, and higher patient satisfaction with their new aids.

Ear Wax Removal

If you have wax build up in one or both of your ears, you should never attempt to remove it yourself. This can cause major damage to your ear, and even lead to an infection.

We invite you to schedule an appointment for professional wax removal with one of our experienced hearing professionals. We have a video camera on site to give you a visual of how much wax is in your ear, before and after wax removal services are performed.

According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have some form of hearing loss and 34 million of those people are children.

Hearing loss can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as:

Certain infectious diseases
Chronic ear infections
The use of particular drugs
Exposure to excessive noise
Genetic causes
Complications at birth
Aging

Our hearing evaluations are designed to diagnose exactly which part of your ear isn’t functioning and thus allows us to create the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

There are four different types of hearing loss:

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It occurs due to a problem with the inner ear or auditory nerve. It presents itself when either the auditory nerve or the hair-like cells in the cochlea have sustained damage or are missing, resulting in the inability to send complete nerve signals to the brain.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by the following:

Genetics
Malformation of the inner ear
Exposure to loud noise
Aging
Head trauma
Illnesses
Drugs that are toxic to hearing (ototoxicity)

Conductive Hearing Loss

Although rather uncommon and typically temporary, a conductive hearing loss can is caused when an issue in the outer or middle ear blocks sound from the inner ear. Treatment involves the use of medication or surgery. Some individuals opt to use hearing aids to improve their hearing ability.

Conductive hearing loss can be caused by:

Ear infections
Benign tumors
Swimmer’s Ear
Foreign object in the ear
Fluid in the middle ear from colds
Absence or malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
Allergies
Perforated eardrum
Impacted cerumen (earwax)

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss occurs when multiple parts of the ear’s anatomy are damaged. In most cases, both the middle or outer ear along with the auditory nerve or inner ear have encountered one of the conditions listed above. The conductive hearing loss present may be reversible while the sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent.

Auditory Processing Disorders

Rather than a hearing impairment which affects the ability to detect sounds, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) causes individuals to struggle with their ability to organize, analyze, and interpret noises around them. While all parts of the ear are functioning properly, the auditory processing centers in the brain do not function normally and it is often due to a tumor, disease, injury, heredity, or an unknown cause. APD does not always include hearing loss and many times the treatments for this disorder are dramatically different when compared to treatment for a hearing loss.

Rather than a hearing impairment which affects the ability to detect sounds, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) causes individuals to struggle with their ability to organize, analyze, and interpret noises around them. While all parts of the ear are functioning properly, those with APD find that the hurdle they encounter is in their brain. Often caused by a tumor, disease, injury, heredity, or an unknown cause, the auditory processing centers in the brain do not function normally. APD does not always include hearing loss and many times the treatments for this disorder versus a hearing impairment are dramatically different.

According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have some form of hearing loss – and 34 million of those people are children.

Hearing loss is as varied as the people it affects. What works for one patient may not work for another, so that’s why we take a customized approach to your care.

At Premium Hearing Care we utilize a collaborative approach to hearing healthcare so we will work together as a team. Your needs and priorities are just as important as our recommendations. We also understand the value that family members and friends can bring to this important visit. We encourage all patients to bring a loved one with them to their hearing evaluation. This can also help to make you feel more relaxed and allows you to discuss your options with someone you love and trust.

We pride ourselves on taking a personalized approach to hearing healthcare, and never attempt to recommend options that take on a “one size fits all” mindset. Instead, we know that your hearing needs are as unique as you are, and we will work to create a customized solution that fits both your budget and lifestyle.

Want to do more now? Take our quick online hearing test to see if you have hearing loss!

Improve your hearing health. Change your life today

Audiology Services & Hearing Aid Center is co-owned by husband and wife team, Dr. Mandi Solat and Larry Solat. We opened our doors in 2002 and have been helping people in the Lakewood area to hear better ever since.