Hearing and Audiology Diagnostic Tests and Services at Ottawa Hears

Most people associate audiologists with basic hearing tests. Yet, Ottawa Hears offers a wide array of services beyond just that. When visiting an audiologist at Ottawa Hears or any other clinic, don't hesitate to ask about the many services and diagnostics available. For your information, we provide an exhaustive list in this post.

Medical Diagnosis

• Acoustic Reflexes (Ipsilateral and Contralateral)
• Audiometry (Air Conduction and Bone Conduction)
• Auditory Processing Assessment
• High Extended Frequency Testing
• Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (DPOAE, TEOAE)
• Otoscopy
• Speech Discrimination Test
• Speech in Noise Test
• Tympanometry

Hearing and Audiology Services

• Cognitive Screener
• Corporate Hearing Screenings & Tests
• Custom Ear and Hearing Protection Molds Fitting
• Earwax Removal
• Electroacoustic Assessments of Hearing Aids
• Hearing Aid Fitting with Real-Ear-Measurement (REM)
• Hearing Aid Repair and Maintenance
• Hearing Conservation
• Hearing Loss Management and Monitoring
• Tinnitus Assessment and Solutions
• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Medical Diagnosis

Our experienced audiologist is trained to provide thorough medical diagnoses for a wide range of hearing disorders. We use specialized tests and evaluations to identify the root causes and severity of your condition, ensuring you receive the appropriate care and treatment.

Acoustic Reflexes (Ipsilateral and Contralateral)

These tests check how your ears respond to loud sounds. They help diagnose conditions related to the middle ear and auditory nerve function.

Ipsilateral: The audiologist checks one ear at a time to see if your ear muscles react when you hear a loud noise in that ear.

Contralateral: The audiologist checks if the muscles in one ear react when you hear a loud noise in the other ear.

Audiometry in Air Conduction and Bone Conduction

Audiometry measures hearing sensitivity using headphones (air conduction) and a bone vibrator placed behind the ear (bone conduction). It helps identify the type and degree of hearing loss.

A range of hearing issues, such as sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss, can be identified using audiograms. They can also be used to monitor the progression of hearing loss and assess how well hearing devices or other therapies are working.

Auditory Processing Assessment

If you or your child have difficulties with listening, comprehension, or processing auditory information, our audiologist can assess and diagnose auditory processing disorders and recommend appropriate interventions.

Extended High Frequency Testing

High-frequency audiometry tests the higher end of the hearing range, often from 8 kHz to 20 kHz. It can diagnose:

• Early signs of age-related hearing loss.
• Ototoxicity from certain medications.
• Noise-induced hearing loss.
• Indicators of conditions like Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease.
• Hearing profiles in Meniere’s Disease.
• Associations with tinnitus.
• Baseline hearing in at-risk groups.
• Hearing anomalies in children and young adults.
• Early signs of certain rare diseases or syndromes.

Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (DPOAE, TEOAE)

DPOAE and TEOAE is a versatile tool in audiology:

• Newborn Hearing Screening: Used to quickly assess cochlear function in newborns.
• Identifying Hearing Loss: Detects hearing impairment in people of all ages by measuring inner ear responses to sound.
• Differentiating Types of Hearing Loss: Helps distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
• Monitoring Auditory Function: Tracks changes in cochlear function over time, aiding treatment adjustments.
• Auditory Processing Disorder Evaluation: Assists in assessing auditory processing disorders.
• Ototoxicity Monitoring: Monitors hearing in individuals taking medications with potential hearing-damaging effects.
• Cochlear Implant Candidacy: Assesses cochlear function to determine candidacy for cochlear implants.

Tympanometry Test

Tympanometry helps diagnose middle ear problems, infections, eardrum function issues, and Eustachian tube dysfunction. It can also provide valuable information that gives a warrant to your general practitioner (GP) to refer you to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) for further evaluation and treatment planning, including hearing impairments related to middle ear issues.

Otoscopy

Otoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that helps audiologists to visually inspect the ear canal and eardrum. It assists in identifying earwax blockages, infections, eardrum conditions, and foreign objects.

Speech Discrimination test

Speech discrimination test helps diagnose and assess an individual's ability to understand spoken words. It provides crucial information about the type and severity of hearing loss, cochlear function, and aids in treatment planning, including hearing aid fitting and cochlear implant candidacy determination.

Speech in Noise Test

The speech in noise test helps diagnose auditory processing disorders, assess the impact of hearing loss in noisy environments, determine cochlear implant candidacy, monitor treatment progress, optimize hearing aids, and understand communication challenges in challenging listening conditions.

Hearing and Audiology Services

Cognitive Screener

Cognitive screener is a screening to assess cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. This screening can be particularly valuable for individuals experiencing hearing and cognitive challenges, as there can be connections between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Our audiologists can help identify potential cognitive issues and recommend appropriate steps for further evaluation and management, ensuring your overall well-being.

Corporate Hearing Screenings & Tests

We provide hearing screenings and tests for corporate or workplace settings, ensuring employees' hearing health is monitored and any issues are promptly addressed.

Custom Ear and Hearing Protection molds

Sleep Protection Molds

These molds block out noise for restful sleep, ideal for those in noisy environments.

Good Sleep Importance:

• Boosts physical health and immune system
• Supports mental well-being and cognitive function
• Enhances memory, learning, and productivity
• Improves overall quality of life and happiness

Music Protection Molds

Musicians and music lovers benefit from these molds, offering excellent sound quality and noise isolation.

Benefits of Musician Plugs:

• Reduces noise while maintaining sound clarity
• Protects hearing and prevents permanent damage
• Supports a long and successful music career
• Custom-fit for comfort and secure wear during performances

Noise Protection Molds

Designed for noisy work environments, these molds reduce exposure to harmful noise levels.

Hearing Protection Importance:

• Prevents noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
• Preserves communication and independence
• Maintains a high quality of life and auditory experiences

Earwax Removal Service

We offer safe and effective earwax removal services to alleviate discomfort and improve hearing. Our skilled audiologist uses gentle methods to remove any type of earwax.

Untreated earwax impaction can lead to complications, including hearing loss, earaches, tinnitus, dizziness, ear infections, and even eardrum damage.

Electroacoustic Assessments of Hearing Aids

We conduct assessments to evaluate the performance of your hearing aids, ensuring they meet the necessary quality standards and function optimally

Hearing Aid Fitting with Real-Ear-Measurement (REM)

At Ottawa Hears hearing aids are precisely fitted using Real Ear Measurement (REM) fitting technology, ensuring they are calibrated for your unique ear canal size, shape and unique hearing loss.

Our precise fitting process ensures that your hearing aids are tailored to your individual needs, maximizing your effectiveness and quality of life.

Hearing Aid Repair and Maintenance

When hearing aids require maintenance or repair, our skilled audiologist can diagnose and address issues to ensure your devices continue to function optimally.

Hearing Conservation

Protecting your hearing is crucial. Our audiologist can provide guidance on hearing conservation strategies, such as ear protection recommendations and education on safe listening practices in noisy environments.

Hearing Loss Management and Monitoring

We offer comprehensive hearing loss management services to help you maintain your hearing health. This includes personalized treatment plans, regular check-ups, and adjustments to hearing aids or other assistive devices to ensure you're hearing your best.

Tinnitus Assessment and Solutions

If you experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears), we offer assessments to determine the underlying causes and provide tailored solutions and coping strategies to manage this often bothersome condition.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is a specialized therapy designed to help individuals habituate to tinnitus. Our audiologists can guide you through this process, offering support and techniques to minimize the impact of tinnitus on your daily life.