What to expect at your appointment
The tests are painless and the whole appointment is typically complete in under an hour
Here's exactly what happens from arrival to report
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Before you arrive
- Bring your GP or specialist referral letter
- Bring your medicare card
- Bring any previous test results or reports
- Arrive 5 to 10 minutes earlier to complete a short intake form
History and consultation
We will discuss your hearing concerns, relevant medical history, noise exposure, tinnitus, medications and any previous tests. For children we also ask developmental milestones and ear infection history.
Otoscopy
We look into each ear canal using a handheld otoscope- checking ear canal and ear drums
Tympanometry
We place a soft tipped probe is placed at the entrance of each ear canal and present a soft sound and a puff of air. This checks ear drum response and is helpful in detecting glue ear or ear drum mobility problems. It is painless and takes about 30 seconds.
Wideband Absorbance
Using the same probe tip, we present some sounds to the ear and measure how much energy goes into the ear and how much is reflected back. This provides detailed information about the function of the ear drum and middle ear across a wide frequency range. It takes about 30 seconds.
Acoustic reflex
Again, using the same probe tip, we measure the automatic reflexes to sounds to determine the function of the middle ear, inner ear and hearing nerve.
Otoacoustic emissions
We will present some sounds to the ear to measure the echo that comes out. This is an objective test to measure the function of the inner ear. The test takes less than one minute per ear.
Pure tone audiometry
You (or your child) will wear headphones and hear different pitches and volumes and press a button when a sound is heard. For young children, we use play audiometry - a game based approach that works for most three and four year olds.
Speech audiometry
You repeat back the words and sentences that you hear through the headphones. This measures how well you understand speech. With older children and adults, we also check how you hear speech when there is background noise. These tests give more information than pure tone audiometry results alone.
Results and report
We will explain the results clearly before you leave. We will also discuss the management and plan of action. A written diagnostic report is sent to your GP, specialist or referral source. You may request a copy of results for your own record.
DURATION
45-75 minutes
Allow a full hour. Complex cases or young children may take a little longer
Is it painful?
Not at all
All tests are non-invasive and painless. Tympanometry involves a very brief puff of air that most people barely notice
READY TO BOOK?
07 44638720
No waitlist - call to find out your nearest available appointment