Diagnostic Hearing Tests
What to Expect During Your Hearing Assessment
At Webster Street Hearing Boutique, our comprehensive hearing assessments provide a detailed evaluation of your hearing and overall auditory health for both adults and school-aged children. Conducted by one of our board-certified audiologists, a series of tests using advanced diagnostic tools is completed to identify the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss, while also evaluating the health of the ear and auditory system.
Whether you have noticed changes in your hearing, experience tinnitus, or simply wish to establish a baseline, a comprehensive hearing test offers valuable insight into your hearing health and can guide personalized recommendations for care.
Here’s what is included in your comprehensive audiological assessment:
Case History
Assessment begins with a comprehensive case history including detailed medical and hearing-related history, discussion of symptoms and family history of hearing loss or ear disorders.
Otoscopy
A visual examination of the outer ear and ear canal to check for earwax, infections, structural abnormalities and eardrum health.
Optional: Video otoscopy available upon request
Middle Ear Assessment
Tympanometry: A specialized “pressure” test that measures the eardrum and ossicle movement in response to air pressure changes. This evaluates middle ear function.
Acoustic Reflexes: Assess reflexive muscle movement in response to loud sounds
Pure Tone Audiometry
Hearing sensitivity is assessed in a sound-insulated booth and conducted through air conduction (headphones or inserts) to test hearing thresholds for frequencies between 250-8000Hz.
If hearing loss is observed, bone conduction thresholds will be measured using bone conduction headphones, which transmit sound to the inner ear through vibrations in the bones of the skull. This helps determine the degree and type of hearing loss—whether it is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed—and rules out middle ear involvement.
Speech Audiometry & SIN Testing
Speech Audiometry is conducted to assess functional hearing ability.
• Speech Reception Threshold (SRT): Softest level at which speech can be recognized
• Word Recognition Score (WRS): Ability to understand and repeat words at optimal listening levels
Speech-in-Noise (SIN) tests the ability to hear in a noisy environment, such as a restaurant.
Results and Recommendations
Test results will be discussed with you immediately following the assessment in a clear and concise manner. Your audiologist will review potential management options, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, medical referrals, auditory training, or tinnitus counselling.
• Personalized recommendations will be tailored to your lifestyle and communication needs.
• As certified audiologists in Nova Scotia, we are able to refer directly to Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) specialists when appropriate.
Concerned about your hearing?
A comprehensive hearing assessment is the first step toward understanding your hearing health. Our audiologists will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.