The hearing evaluation typically takes about 30-45 minutes and a typical evaluation is performed via four steps:

Step 1: Health History

The first step in the diagnosis and treatment of a hearing problem is a hearing evaluation by our hearing care professionals. We apply a proven process the yields the best possible results.

Your Pindrop expert takes a detailed hearing health history to help us determine a potential cause for hearing loss. This also provides a clear picture of any other issues to take into consideration regarding your overall health. Questions may include:

• Have you been exposed to high levels of noise (occupational or recreational)?
• Do you have a family history of hearing loss?
• Do you have a history of ear infections/drainage from the ear?
• Do you suffer from tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, chirping) in either ear?
• Have you ever worn hearing aids? If so, what types of problems do you have with them?

Step 2: Inspection

Your Pindrop expert inspects your ear with an otoscope to determine if any wax or debris is present in your ear canal. We will also assess the health of the eardrum.

Step 3: Testing

Your Pindrop expert will then conduct a variety of specialized auditory assessments. These tests are typically conducted in a sound-treated room with calibrated equipment.

Step 4: Recommendation

Following your hearing test, your Pindrop expert will explain the results to you and make any recommendations based on your personal history, your hearing test and specific challenges. Our compassionate professionals take pride in offering relaxed, unhurried and stress free appointments so we can be sure that you understand your test results. We answer all of your questions and we will offer our advice on what the next steps should be.

These steps may include:

• A Hearing Aid Evaluation (HAE) where we talk about various options for amplification
• Referral to your family doctor or an Ear, Nose and Throat physician for treatment or further testing
• A recommendation to monitor your hearing annually
• Advice and counseling about using behavioral communication strategies to improve your communication abilities, whether with or without hearing aids