Santa Cruz Ear Nose & Throat Medical Group

Audiologists specialize in evaluating hearing. They work with adults, children and infants. Audiologists have advanced degrees and do much more than hearing tests. They can diagnose and treat auditory nerve function, balance disorders, earwax removal, ringing of the ears, infections and more. Because there are many different causes of hearing loss, it’s best to see an audiologist first, rather than assume that any hearing issues can be self-diagnosed.

Hearing tests are routinely given to infants before they leave the hospital and then toddlers have additional exams. Children are tested throughout the school years. It’s around that time most people stop having hearing tests. But as we age, our hearing diminishes. If you’re over 55, it’s a good idea to get a baseline hearing test. Your audiologist can then monitor any changes in hearing.

A hearing test begins with your medical history and questions about your hearing and any medications you are taking. Your ears will be examined and then three screening tests are performed. The first is a pure-tone test. You are in a soundproof room and wear headphones. You will hear different tones in each ear, higher and lower frequencies and softer and louder sounds. You identify which ear hears the sound.

After the screening tests, the audiologist will meet with you for about a half-hour or so to discuss the results. If a hearing loss is diagnosed, treatment options will be discussed. If you need hearing aids, you can choose them at this time and then begin the fitting process.