Over a 90 minute initial appointment, we will perform comprehensive history taking, ear canal examination, middle ear status evaluation, diagnostic evaluation of your hearing ability, and discussion of a hearing solution if required.

You will be asked many questions about your hearing history, including the extent to which you feel your current hearing level impacts your everyday life. We must gain a detailed picture of your hearing difficulties and understand your lifestyle, hearing needs, and motivation to improve your hearing and quality of life to tailor a personal hearing solution for you.

The diagnostic testing encompasses both sounds and speech. You will need to participate actively in these tests, which require your concentration but are otherwise painless.

Results

Once the hearing test is complete, your audiologist will present you with a thorough explanation of your test results, with plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions.

We aim to ensure you have a full understanding of your hearing loss and how it relates to the problems you are experiencing. You can take a copy of your test results home with you on the day. Depending on the results, we will advise whether amplification would be of benefit or not. Your hearing aid options can then be discussed.

This test is used to determine your sensitivity to auditory stimulus. It uses a series of ‘pure tones’ to identify the softest level you can hear across various frequencies in each ear. It’s subjective and behavioural as it relies on your response and identifies thresholds to create a graphical result known as an audiogram. Pure tone audiometry determines the degree and type of hearing loss in each ear. It also indicates whether further referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist is required.

Tympanometry is used to assess middle ear function. It is a quick and painless test that requires no patient involvement and provides valuable information concerning the middle ear system. It works by creating a small change in air pressure within the ear canal and recording the ear drum’s movement in response. This test can identify a perforation in the eardrum, middle ear fluid, patent grommet, Eustachian tube dysfunction and other medical conditions of the middle ear.

Victorian Hearing offers extended high-frequency hearing testing, made possible by our investment in the latest clinical audiometry equipment. Whilst standard hearing tests measure pitch from 250 Hz to 8 kHz, our extended testing can measure up to 20 kHz, allowing us to detect hearing levels that would otherwise not be investigated. This can be particularly for those who find it hard to follow conversations in busy or noisy environments and assist with understanding tinnitus.

Who May Benefit From This Assessment

We offer specialised testing when hidden hearing loss is suspected or upon patient request. These tests can detect very early signs of hearing damage, often before changes appear on a standard hearing test. (See Otoacoustic Omissions as another test battery we use for early detection)

• Extended High Frequency Testing may be particularly helpful for people who:
• Are regularly exposed to loud noise (workplace, music, or recreational noise)
• Have experienced sudden hearing changes
• Are taking or have taken ototoxic medications that may affect hearing
• Are experiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Early detection allows us to monitor hearing health more closely and recommend appropriate strategies to help protect your hearing for the future.

Book an Appointment

Extended high-frequency testing up to 20 kHz is available at our Clayton and Brighton clinics. Extended testing up to 12 kHz is offered at our Cabrini, Mornington, North Balwyn, North Fitzroy, Essendon, South Yarra and CBD locations. Standard hearing assessments (up to 8 kHz) continue to be available at Geelong and Werribee, with plans to expand high-frequency testing to these clinics soon.