Hearing Tests
in San Diego, CA
If you suspect you or a loved one has hearing loss, the first step is a hearing test. Hearing loss is measured in degrees (mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound) and in order to identify your exact degree, a full assessment of your hearing is necessary. The hearing test will begin with an ear exam in which we will look inside your ears for any earwax impaction that may be affecting your hearing ability. If your ears are clear, then we will move on to sound testing.
The hearing test is simple, you will sit inside a soundproof booth with a pair of headphones on and listen for certain sounds. These sounds will vary in frequency and pitch to help us identify what degree of loss you have. We will also perform a speech comprehension test to discover if your hearing loss has affected your ability to understand words, in both noise and in quiet.
The results of your hearing test will be recorded on an audiogram. We will go over this with you in detail and answer any questions you may have.
Hearing Aid Fittings
Properly fit and programmed hearing aids are essential for hearing your best. We carry a wide range of hearing aid styles, all of which can be custom fit to your unique ear shape. Hearing aids should sit comfortably yet securely in/around the ear. Depending on the style of aid you choose, custom earmolds can be created to ensure they fit perfectly.
Once you’ve decided on the style of hearing aid and they have been fit to you, we will then program them based on your hearing prescription (audiogram). Our hearing specialists are experts in hearing technology and can program hearing aids to help you hear better, regardless of the degree of your loss.
If you are a current hearing aid wearer and purchased your devices elsewhere, we can make adjustments to the aids and reprogram them if needed.
Hearing Aid Repairs
Although hearing aids are durable medical devices, they do require regular maintenance, and sometimes they need repairs. When this happens, the experts at Oliver Audiology can help. We can perform most hearing aid repairs in the office. Whether you need a simple wax guard change or your device needs to be reprogrammed, we can help you right away.
If your hearing aid has suffered more severe damage, external parts are broken, or your device has been submerged in water, then we will have to send the aid to the manufacturer to be repaired.
Having trouble with your hearing aids? Check out our how to videos for tips!
Hearing Aid Cleanings
You shouldn’t only bring your hearing aids in when they are damaged or need repairs. We recommend bringing your hearing aids every six months for a maintenance check and professional cleaning. Our hearing specialists can expertly clean your devices, removing hard to reach dust, dirt, and earwax from the tiny components of the hearing aid. Regular deep cleanings will ensure your hearing aids last you for many years and perform their best.
Are your hearing aids in need of a cleaning? Contact us today for an appointment!
Hearing Protection
Hearing is an essential sense that should be protected and taken care of, just like any other part of your health. Although hearing loss does occur more often in older adults, noise induced loss can happen to anyone. To take care of your hearing, you should do your best to avoid loud noise (sounds over 85 decibels) however, we understand that noise cannot always be avoided.
At our hearing clinic, we can create custom earplugs to protect your hearing. Whether you enjoy listening to live music, you’re a musician, you work in construction or with power tools, you’re a motorcyclist, or you engage in other activities where there is noise, hearing protection is essential.
Tinnitus Evaluations
Have you ever heard a buzzing, humming, ringing, whistling, or whooshing sound that seems to come from inside your ears? You’re not alone. Ringing in the ears, medically known as tinnitus, is a common phenomenon affecting millions of people. Tinnitus varies from person to person, affecting some so severely it disturbs sleep, concentration, and overall quality of life.
At Oliver Audiology, we focus on finding the cause of your tinnitus and providing you with the proper management plan so you can experience relief. To test for tinnitus, we will have you complete a full hearing evaluation. While there is no cure that will stop ringing in the ears completely, there are management options that can help alleviate your perception of tinnitus.
Cerumen Management
Cerumen (earwax) is a natural part of healthy ears. However, sometimes it can become impacted, causing discomfort, clogged ears, and in some cases temporary hearing loss. Although it may be tempting, you should never remove earwax on your own. Using cotton swabs can push earwax further into the ear canal, causing impaction or damage to the eardrum.
As part of your hearing exam, our audiologist can safely remove impacted earwax. If you are due for your annual hearing screening, contact us and let us know if you are having trouble with excessive earwax.
