In-Person & Online Hearing Tests
Nearly 38 million Americans live with hearing loss. Despite that statistic, people wait an average of seven years before seeking help. It’s important to know that you’re not alone.
Whether mild, moderate, or severe, your hearing loss could put your health in danger. From dementia to increased fall risk, seeking early treatment can improve your quality of life.
Do you suspect you have hearing loss? Schedule a hearing test at one of our eleven locations in Albert Lea, Algona, Belmond, Britt, Charles City, Cresco, Hampton, Iowa Falls, Mason City, New Hampton, and Osage. Our expert audiologists and staff have decades of experience creating individualized hearing health plans catered to suit different needs.
Free Online Hearing Test
Hearing Associates offers a free online hearing test to help you assess your hearing ability and decide if you require audiology services. The audio test includes a series of sounds at different volumes. We recommend you use headphones or earbuds during the process.
Here’s what to expect during our 10-minute online hearing test:
- Answer six prompts.
- Use a set of headphones or earbuds and turn your device volume up.
- Listen to sounds at different pitches and volumes in your right and left ears, indicating the softest sound level you perceive.
- Review your results and determine your next step.
An online hearing test is the first step in your journey toward better hearing. It’s important to schedule a comprehensive in-person evaluation if you suspect you have hearing loss so you can access appropriate treatment options.
Why Regular In-Person Hearing Tests Are Important
Hearing loss often occurs slowly over time, so you may not realize you have it until you face a significant impairment. Getting a professional hearing test regularly allows for early intervention so your audiologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment to protect your hearing.
A hearing test identifies the type, degree and cause of your hearing loss. Your audiologist may also identify comorbidities like heart disease and diabetes that are exacerbating your condition. That information can help you make the necessary changes to avoid further hearing damage.
Benefits of Regular Hearing Tests
Your hearing impacts your ability to communicate and engage with the world around you. Getting a hearing test helps you understand how your hearing has changed, so you can take steps to create a better listening experience.
By scheduling regular hearing tests, you can:
- Improve your quality of life
- Prevent further hearing damage
- Identify treatment options
- Purchase appropriate hearing aids, if applicable
- Improve communication with loved ones
- Engage in different social settings and listening environments
Our Hearing Evaluation Options
Pure Tone Audiometry Test
This hearing test determines the degree of hearing loss using pure tones and word recognition testing. You’ll wear headphones while listening to sounds to find the quietest volume you can hear.
Otoscopy
An otoscopy is a visual exam of your outer ear and canal. It’s completed during a hearing test to determine if a middle ear issue such as infection or wax buildup is contributing to your hearing loss. You may also require an otoscopy if you have frequent ear infections or sustained head trauma.
Speech Testing and Word Recognition
This evaluation tests your ability to identify words at different frequencies and volumes. Your speech recognition threshold is the softest volume at which you can perceive words. You’ll also listen to speech with noise in the background and repeat what you can hear to your audiologist.
Bone Conduction
An oscillator is placed against your mastoid bone behind your ear or on your forehead and sends vibrations to your inner ear. The purpose is to bypass your outer and middle ear and assess the function of your inner ear. Doing so helps your audiologist determine your type of hearing loss.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) Test
An OAE test assesses the function of the hair cells in your inner ear or cochlea. Those cells are responsible for converting sound waves to electrical signals for your brain. OAEs are often used on infants or patients who cannot respond to basic comprehensive audiometry testing.
Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry (ABR)
An ABR test checks the functionality of the pathways between the auditory nerve in your cochlea to your brain to determine your auditory threshold. It’s another type of evaluation for those who can’t complete pure-tone tests or have a brain injury.
Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR)
An ASSR test is used to assess your audiometric thresholds. Small electrodes are placed on your scalp and near your ears to measure your brain’s electrical activity during sound stimulation.
Acoustic Immittance Testing or Tympanometry
This hearing test evaluates how your middle ear and eardrum respond to sound and air pressure changes. That includes verifying your Eustachian tube function and addressing fluid behind your eardrum.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
This behavioral test assesses hearing in infants and toddlers by using visual displays to provide positive reinforcement for identifying sound sources. Sounds and tones are played to determine how a child responds to auditory stimulation.
Conditioned Play Audiometry
Hearing tests become games that include toys, blocks, cards and other objects to direct a child’s attention. It’s an effective method for assessing childhood hearing loss for those who don’t respond to traditional hearing tests.
Real Ear Hearing Aid Test
This clinical procedure is used for hearing aid fittings to verify proper fit and programming. Real ear measurements include assessing your ear anatomy to understand how sounds move through your ear canal.
2CC Hearing Aid Test
This test is important in determining how your hearing aid performs under standard conditions. There are various evaluations in a 2cc hearing aid test that determine the functionality of your devices, including their output, gain and battery drain.
Balance Testing
Videonystagmography testing (VNG) determines if an inner ear condition is the source of your dizziness or balance problems. A balance test evaluates your ability to follow objects with your eyes and how well they respond to information from your vestibular system.
Hearing Evaluation Locations in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa
Albert Lea, MN
2440 Bridge Avenue
Suite 200
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Algona, IA
1515 S Phillips Street
Algona, IA 5051
Belmond, IA
403 1st Street SE
Belmond, IA 50421
Britt, IA
532 1st Street NW
Britt, IA 50423
Charles City, IA
800 11th Street
Charles City, IA 50616
Cresco, IA
235 8th Avenue West
Cresco, IA 52136
Hampton, IA
1720 Central Avenue East
Hampton, IA 50441
Iowa Falls, IA
920 S. Oak St.
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
Mason City, IA
250 South Crescent Drive
Suite 100
Mason City, IA 50401
New Hampton, IA
308 North Maple Avenue
New Hampton, IA 50659
Osage, IA
616 North 8th Street
Osage, IA 50461
FAQs
You should have your hearing tested once every 10 years until the age of 50, then every three years afterward. If you have hearing loss, it’s essential to have to schedule an evaluation annually to monitor and address changes.
Your audiologist will complete a visual ear exam to check for blockages, fluid and infection. They apply gentle air pressure to measure how your eardrum responds to stimulation. You’ll take an audiometry test and listen to a variety of sounds, tones and words and go over the results with your doctor.
An audiogram reveals your degree of hearing ability on a chart that displays the softest sounds, pitches and frequencies you can hear. It also shows the difference in hearing ability between your left and right ears.
Bring the necessary information, including your insurance and a list of your medical conditions, medications and family history of hearing loss (if applicable). You should also have your hearing aids with you if you wear them.
Your audiologist will review your results and recommend a hearing treatment plan based on your type of hearing loss, lifestyle and budget.