Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation
A diagnostic hearing evaluation at AUDICOG identifies the type and degree of hearing loss — and how it’s affecting your communication, listening effort, and brain health. The results guide every recommendation that follows.
What to Expect During Your Evaluation
Your visit begins with a detailed case history and a conversation about the listening situations that matter most to you. Testing is performed in a sound-controlled environment. Results are reviewed with you the same day, in plain language, alongside clear next steps.
Testing may include
Tests may include:
- Pure-tone audiometry. Establishes the softest sounds you can detect across frequencies in each ear. Identifies whether hearing loss is present, where it occurs, and how much.
- Speech recognition testing. Measures how clearly you understand words at comfortable listening levels. Distinguishes a clarity problem from a loudness problem.
- Speech-in-noise testing. Assesses how well you follow conversation against background noise — the single most common real-world hearing complaint. Predicts performance in restaurants, meetings, and family gatherings.
- Tympanometry and acoustic reflexes. Evaluates the eardrum and middle ear. Detects fluid, pressure, or mechanical issues that may require medical referral.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Measures the function of the outer hair cells in the inner ear. Helps locate the source of hearing loss.
- Listening effort and cognitive load screening. Evaluates how hard your brain is working to hear. Sustained listening effort is linked to fatigue and elevated risk of cognitive decline. When screening indicates, we may recommend a full computerized cognitive assessment as a next step.
- Health-related quality of life assessment (HRQoL). A brief digital questionnaire covering how your hearing affects mobility, everyday activities, physical comfort, mood, and overall wellbeing. Establishes a personal baseline so we can measure progress as care continues.
- Functional communication assessment. Benchmarks your performance in the listening environments you actually live in.
After testing
Your audiologist walks you through what the findings mean for your hearing and your brain, and outlines what comes next — hearing technology, communication strategies, medical referral, or a deeper cognitive wellness evaluation if screening warrants it.
Concerned about your hearing?
Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at AUDICOG — serving Bellaire, Houston & West University Place, TX.
