How Hearing Tests Work at Evanston Audiology

Did you know that about 15% of American adults report some trouble hearing? Yet many wait an average of 7 years before seeking help. Whether you're strolling along Lake Michigan, trying to catch conversations at a bustling downtown Evanston restaurant, or simply wanting to hear your grandchildren clearly during family gatherings, your hearing plays a vital role in connecting you to the world around you.

Hearing tests are a fundamental part of maintaining good hearing health. At Evanston Audiology, we provide comprehensive hearing evaluations that help identify hearing loss and create personalized treatment plans. Understanding what happens during a hearing test can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your appointment.

For residents of Evanston and Chicago's North Shore communities, access to quality hearing care is right in your neighborhood. Our clinic on Benson Avenue has been serving local families for years, combining the academic excellence of nearby Northwestern University with practical, compassionate care. Whether you're a professor at the university, a commuter taking the Purple Line daily, or a retiree enjoying Evanston's vibrant community, maintaining your hearing health allows you to stay engaged with everything our dynamic area has to offer.

Why Hearing Tests Matter

Hearing tests establish a baseline for your hearing ability, making it easier to detect changes over time. Regular testing is recommended, particularly as you age or if you're frequently exposed to loud environments.

These evaluations are painless, straightforward procedures that provide critical information about your hearing capabilities. They can determine whether you have hearing loss and, if so, identify its type, degree, and configuration.

Preparing for Your Hearing Test at Evanston Audiology

Before your appointment at our Evanston, IL location, we recommend gathering some important information:

• Your medical history and family history of hearing loss
• Details about exposure to loud noises
• List of current medications
• Specific situations where you struggle to hear

This information helps our audiologist, Dr. Kate T. Dunckley, tailor the test to your needs and provide more accurate results.

The Hearing Test Process at Evanston Audiology

Initial Consultation

Your hearing test begins with a consultation with Dr. Dunckley. During this conversation, she'll review your medical history, medications, and any conditions that might affect your hearing. You'll discuss your daily activities, occupation, and hearing concerns.

This discussion is valuable as it helps Dr. Dunckley understand your lifestyle and specific hearing challenges, allowing her to customize the evaluation process.

Physical Examination

Next, Dr. Dunckley will perform a physical examination of your ears using an otoscope. This instrument allows her to inspect your ear canal and eardrum to check for:

• Ear infections
• Physical damage
• Earwax buildup
• Other blockages

This examination is important because physical issues like excessive earwax can sometimes cause temporary hearing problems that can be resolved without hearing aids. Video otoscopy allows us to document any concerns and send photos to your medical team.

Comprehensive Hearing Tests

At Evanston Audiology, we conduct several tests to thoroughly assess your hearing ability. The specific tests may vary based on your concerns and medical history, but typically include:

Pure-Tone Audiometry

This is the most common hearing test and measures the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. During this test:

• You'll wear headphones in a quiet environment
• You'll hear a series of tones at various pitches and volumes
• You'll indicate when you hear each sound, typically by pressing a button
• Each ear is tested separately

This test creates a map of your hearing sensitivity across different frequencies, helping identify patterns of hearing loss.

Speech Testing

This test evaluates how well you understand speech. It helps determine if you have difficulty distinguishing between similar-sounding words, which is common in certain types of hearing loss. During this test:

• You'll listen to words or sentences at different volumes
• You'll be asked to repeat what you hear
• The test measures your ability to correctly identify speech

This assessment is particularly valuable for determining how hearing loss affects your daily communication.

Speech in Noise Testing

At Evanston Audiology, we go beyond speech testing in quiet by including speech in noise assessments with every evaluation. We know that real-world listening rarely happens in silence and the number one complaint of people with hearing loss is about difficulty in places like parties and restaurants. This critical evaluation helps us identify specific listening challenges that might be missed in the minimally required test battery. Dr. Dunckley uses these results to make the best recommendations for your real world hearing needs.

Bone Conduction Test

This evaluation helps determine if hearing loss originates in the inner ear or from problems in the ear canal or middle ear. During this test:

• A small vibrator is placed on your forehead
• Sound vibrations bypass the outer and middle ear, stimulating the inner ear directly
• Your responses help determine which part of the ear is affected

This information is crucial for determining appropriate treatment options, as different types of hearing loss require different approaches.

Middle Ear Evaluation

Tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing measures how well your eardrum is moving and how your middle ear reacts to loud sounds. This is not a hearing test but rather a test of the middle ear function.

• A small probe is placed at the entrance of your ear canal
• You will hear brief loud tones in each ear
• The probe creates air pressure changes in your ear canal
• The test measures how your eardrum responds to these pressure changes

This test can detect issues like fluid in the middle ear, perforated eardrums, or problems with the small bones in the middle ear.

Making Sense of Your Hearing Test Results

"So what does all this mean for me?" That's the question Dr. Dunckley loves to answer after your hearing tests are complete. Let's break down those results in everyday terms.

Your Hearing Map: The Audiogram

Think of an audiogram as a map of your personal hearing landscape. It's not just a bunch of lines and symbols—it's a picture of how you experience sound:

• The left side shows low pitches (like thunder or bass drums)
• The right side shows high pitches (like birds chirping or children's voices)
• The top of the chart represents soft sounds
• The bottom represents loud sounds

Dr. Dunckley marks each ear separately—often blue circles for the right ear and red Xs for the left ear. The pattern these marks create tells your unique hearing story,and provides the basis for your hearing loss prescription. You will take home a simplified Patient Report and your official results will be shared with your care team if requested.

What Those Numbers Actually Mean for Daily Life

Your hearing level isn't just a number—it reflects real-world experiences:

Normal hearing (0-25 dB): You can hear a whispered conversation or leaves rustling in the wind.

Mild hearing loss (26-40 dB): You might miss soft speech or struggle in group conversations at coffee shops. You probably say "what?" more often than you'd like.

Moderate hearing loss (41-55 dB): One-on-one conversations become difficult without some extra volume. Phone calls get tricky, and you might miss the doorbell.

Moderate-to-severe hearing loss (56-70 dB): You need raised voices to follow conversations. Watching movies without captions is frustrating.

Severe hearing loss (71-90 dB): Only very loud speech is audible. Group settings at places like restaurants or community events become overwhelming.

Profound hearing loss (91+ dB): You primarily rely on visual cues for communication rather than sound.

The "Why" Behind Your Hearing Loss

Your hearing loss has a backstory that helps determine the best solutions:

Conductive hearing loss is like having a door partially closed between you and sound. Something is blocking sound from reaching your inner ear—perhaps earwax, fluid from a cold, or a structural issue. The good news? Many conductive issues can be treated medically.

Sensorineural hearing loss involves the delicate inner ear hair cells or nerve pathways. Just as eyesight changes with age, inner ear cells can wear out from years of use, loud noise exposure, or certain medications. While typically permanent, this type responds well to hearing aids.

Mixed hearing loss combines both types—like having a partially closed door AND some damage to your sound-processing system.

Dr. Dunckley will explain which parts of your hearing system need support and how that translates to everyday situations that matter to you.

Evanston Audiology's Approach to Evidence-Based Testing

At Evanston Audiology, Dr. Dunckley brings years of research experience to clinical practice. As a Ph.D. in Audiology and Hearing Sciences from Northwestern University, she implements best practices in hearing assessment.

What sets our hearing tests apart:

1. Comprehensive evaluation: We don't just test hearing thresholds but also assess how hearing loss affects your ability to communicate.
   
2. Patient-centered approach: We take time to understand your specific concerns and lifestyle needs.
   
3. Evidence-based practices: Our testing protocols are based on the latest audiological research.
   
4. Detailed explanations: We ensure you understand your test results and what they mean for your hearing health.
   
5. Follow best practices: We adhere to the highest standards in the field of audiology.
   

Treatment Recommendations After Your Hearing Test

If your hearing test reveals hearing loss, Dr. Dunckley will discuss treatment options with you. These may include:

Hearing aids: Modern hearing aids come in various styles and offer advanced features like digital noise reduction and smartphone connectivity. At Evanston Audiology, we work with leading hearing aid suppliers including Phonak, Lyric, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Signia, Unitron, and Widex.

Assistive listening devices: These can help in specific situations, such as watching TV or talking on the phone.

Communication strategies: Simple changes in how you communicate can sometimes help manage hearing loss.

Medical referrals: If your hearing loss might benefit from medical or surgical intervention, Dr. Dunckley will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Follow-Up Care at Evanston Audiology

Hearing health is an ongoing process. After your initial hearing test and treatment plan, we recommend regular follow-up appointments to:

• Monitor changes in your hearing
• Adjust hearing aids if needed
• Address any new concerns
• Ensure your continued satisfaction with your hearing solution
• Recommend and fit hearing protection to prevent noise and music-induced changes in hearing

We recommend periodic hearing tests to track any changes in your hearing ability.

Schedule Your Hearing Test Today

If you haven't had your hearing tested recently or if you're experiencing hearing difficulties, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Evanston Audiology. Located at 1811 Benson Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, our office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Friday from 9am to 3pm, and select Saturdays from 9am to 12:30pm.

Our family-owned practice combines clinical expertise with a deep connection to the Evanston community. Dr. Dunckley and our team are committed to providing the highest level of hearing healthcare.

Call us at 847-869-9433 to schedule your comprehensive hearing test or visit our Hearing Testing page for more information. Taking this step today can lead to better hearing and an improved quality of life for years to come.