SERVICES

Hearing Tests

As certified Audiologists, we will always do a complete diagnostic assessment of your hearing.  This assessment will include:

  1. A case history and discussion of problems and symptoms you have been experiencing.
  2. Pure-tone audiometry during which frequency specific tones are presented to determine your hearing thresholds.  Your responses provide us with detailed information regarding the level and pattern of your hearing loss.
  3. Tympanometry, which is a measurement of the movement of the eardrum and middle ear function.  This test is helpful in determining if there is negative middle ear pressure, fluid in the middle ear space, perforation of the eardrum, a problem with the ossicles (three small bones in the middle ear which are imperative to hearing sound).
  4. Speech testing during which you are asked to repeat both single words and sentences which are presented in both quiet and noisy situations.  This information helps to determine your ability to discriminate speech sounds and understand conversation in both quiet and noisy environments.

Following the assessment we will explain your test results and provide recommendations based on our findings.  If we feel further medical investigation is required we will notify your family physician.  If you are a candidate for hearing aids, we will discuss the options available and help you to make the best choice for your hearing needs.

Central Auditory Processing Evaluations

This is an assessment of an individual’s ability to process auditory information in challenging situations.  These individuals typically have no problems detecting sounds or understanding speech in quiet listening environments.  They do often experience other difficulties such as understanding auditory information (eg. conversation) in the presence of competing noise sources, problems following complex directions or multiple instructions, etc. 

Some of the challenges a person with a central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) may experience include:

We have a variety of tests available to assess central auditory processing deficits.  We will choose the testing that we feel is most appropriate based the individual’s age and case history.  A hearing assessment is required to ensure that the individual has normal hearing prior to completing the central auditory processing evaluation. 

Following the assessment we will explain the results and present recommendations based on these results.  With children these recommendations often include modifications to the learning environment in the classroom and assistive listening devices when required.  A report will be always be sent to the family physician and the upon parent request to the school.

Hearing Aid Prescription

The prescription of hearing aids is a controlled act in Ontario and can only be completed by physicians and certified audiologists.  Our prescription is based on the hearing assessment, a real ear measurement (specific to your ear canals) as well as a discussion of your hearing needs (daily activities and typical listening situations, telephone and cell phone use, television, etc).

We do not focus on hearing aids from a specific manufacturer and therefore select the hearing aid that best suits your needs.

Assessment and Adjustment of Hearing Aids

Using a real ear verification system we can assess the performance of your hearing aid for your specific hearing levels.  With the advanced hearing aids available today, it is necessary to have the most up to date test methods available to assess the performance of the hearing aids and how they are working in your specific ears.

Today’s hearing aids are quite complex and very adaptive.  We have access to several parameters on the hearing aids so we can adjust the sound and settings to your needs.  If things are uncomfortable, too loud, too soft, or unclear we will make adjustments to improve the sound and comfort according to your complaints.

Cleaning and Repair of Hearing aids

We will clean any brand of hearing aid as required.  You can call the office to arrange an appointment or you can drop into the office and we will complete the service as quickly as possible.  If you have time restrictions it may be beneficial to call the office and the receptionist will suggest a time to drop in.

We are also able to complete minor hearing aid repairs in the office.  If the repair cannot be done in the office we will send the aid to the manufacturer for repair.  We will honor outstanding warranties even if the aid was purchased at a different facility.  If the aid is no longer under warranty you will be informed of the repair charge upfront.

Ear Cleaning

We are certified to complete wax removal from the ear canals.  The method used will vary depending upon the individual, the depth of the wax in the canal, and the texture and consistency of the wax.  When possible we use a small tool, a curette, to remove the wax.  If the wax is deep in the canal we use a water flushing system to wash out the wax.
It is always recommended to put a few drops of mineral oil or a wax softening agent in the ears for 3 to 4 days to soften the wax for easier removal.

Aural Rehabilitation Classes

When you purchase hearing aids at Bentley Hearing Services we offer free rehabilitation classes.  They are small group sessions that are offered each month.  During the session we cover such topics as: how we hear, causes of communication breakdown, communication strategies for home and social settings, daily care of your hearing aids, and assistive listening devices.  Our patients always report benefit from these classes and find the information very interesting. The classes are one to two hours in length and refreshments are provided. 

If you have purchased a hearing aid at a different facility and continue to have difficulties you may be a good candidate for these classes.  Please contact our office to find out more information.