Diagnostic Testing
Manchester Hearing Center’s diagnostic testing includes:
- Diagnostic audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex
- Electronystagmography (ENG) / Videonystagmography (VNG) (Balance Evaluations)
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
In addition to those listed above, we also manage:
- Digital Hearing aid dispensing (hearing aids are fit on a 30 day trial period)
- Repair of most major brands of hearing aids (regardless of source)
- Hearing aid cleaning tools and supplies, Hearing aid batteries
- Assistive listening devices (FM sytems, TV amplifiers, telephone amplifiers, alarm clocks, etc.)
- Hearing protection including electronic hearing protection, custom noise plugs, and custom Musicians plugs.
- Custom earpieces for recreational activities, music listening, and telephone use including Bluetooth headsets.
- Custom Swimmolds
Manchester Hearing Center’s audiology department has state-of-the-art hearing instruments available from most major manufacturers. We will evaluate your individual needs and help you select the style, technology, and brand that will best fit you. Please call our office for an appointment. Appointments are scheduled in a timely manner and special accommodations are often made.
With every patient, we start by doing a thorough evaluation. Once we know what type of hearing problem you have, we’ll help you find the treatment that’s right for you.
Hearing Test (Diagnostic Audiologic Evaluation)
The diagnostic audiologic evaluation (or hearing test) is performed by the Audiologist to determine the type, degree, and severity of your hearing loss. This evaluation provides the Audiologist with valuable information needed to help make the best recommendation for your hearing needs. The hearing test in only one of many factors that helps the Audiologist determine if a hearing aid or alternative form of treatment is needed.
Tympanometry is a very useful evaluation we may administer to record the integrity of your eardrum, your eustachian tube, the bones of your middle ear, as well as the middle ear space. This information tells your Audiologist how well your middle ear is functioning and can help rule out any middle ear problems or abnormalities.
Additional tests may be ordered to further examine your hearing.
Hearing aids and accessory devices
Hearing aids are small devices designed to improve hearing by making sounds audible to a person with hearing loss. They can help people with slight to severe hearing loss. Modern devices utilize sophisticated digital signal processing to improve speech intelligibility and comfort of the user. Hearing aids are programmed based on you hearing loss and your needs. Keep in mind that it takes time to adjust to amplified sound. It may take a few appointments until your hearing aids are just right for all your listening situations. Your Audiologist will help guide you through this fitting process.
Hearing aid accessories are wireless devices that can be used to make your hearing experience even better. TV streaming accessories can enhance TV listening with direct TV streaming to your hearing aids. Hearing aid microphone accessories can enhance your hearing and extend your listening range for tough listening situations such as in a business meeting or a noisy social situation.
Dizziness
Dizziness is the leading medical complaint in adults ages 70 and above. Often, it’s related to inner ear problems. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce dizziness. In turn, this helps reduce the chance of injuries due to falling.
We start by a hearing test and examining the inner ear further with additional tests. Treatment may include medication, lifestyle changes and physical therapy.
Custom hearing protection
Noise is all around us. It’s a common cause of hearing loss. That’s because being exposed to loud noise for long periods of time can harm the inner ear. Noise induced hearing loss can be prevented.
Custom earplugs can be used for hearing protection from industrial work environments, hunting or recreational gun shooting, air travel, or motor cycle riding. Specialty musician earmolds can block out the ambient noise while on stage while making sure you are on key with the rest of the band. Sleep molds can be used to block out unwanted sound and help you have a good night sleep. Ask our audiologists which custom hearing protection device is right for you.
Custom swim earmolds
Custom swim earmolds can be used for children and adults to protect their ears from water while swimming or in the shower. The soft and comfortable material is able to float above water so you will not lose them while swimming. Swim earmolds should be considered if you have a perforated eardrum, are prone to “swimmer’s ear”, or have tubes placed in your eardrum.
Tinnitus
More than 36 million Americans have tinnitus – a ringing or swishing sound in the ears. In many cases it’s not serious. It can start in the outer, middle or inner ear, or in the brain. A hearing test, physical exam and other tests can help determine why you have tinnitus.
The treatment for tinnitus depends on the cause. In some cases, it may go away on its own. In others, there is no treatment. Coping with tinnitus and finding ways to reduce your awareness of it may be the treatment.