How long will it take to assess my hearing? 30 minutes is allocated for each hearing test. If you have normal hearing it may take less than the alotted time.

 How is my hearing tested? Will it hurt?  Standard hearing assessment will involve both a hearing test and tympanometry testing. For children under 3 years of age we use a procedure called Otoacoustic Emission screening  which involves placing a small dome into a child ear canal opening and delivering a 'clicking' noise. The test procedure is not at all painful and if the child passes it indicates good cochlear outer hair cell function which is required for normal hearing.

For anyone over 3 years of age we will attempt to test them using Pure tone Audiometry.This involves wearing headphones while we present varying frequency tones to ascertain the softest audible sound you are able to hear. For children between 3-6 years of age, responses will be obtained by using a conditioned play task while older children and adults will press a response button to indicate when they hear a sound.

What is Tympanometry testing? Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear function. The middle ear incorporates the eardrum, and middle ear Ossicles- the malleus, incus and stapes bones. Testing tympanometry allows us to ascertain if there is any dysfunction through this part of the hearing system.

What is involved in a BAHA assessment and trial? Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are an implantable prothesis that has an external speech processor attached and are suitable for only a specific group of hearing impaired people.

http://www.cochlear.com/au/baha-bone-conduction-implants gives you more information about who is appropriate candidate for bone anchored hearing aid and how it transmits the sound.

People considering a BAHA device should also be seeking the advice of an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon who specializes in BAHA implants.

I have been having external Ear Canal infections, do I need a hearing test? If there has been wax or discharge in the ear canal you should see your GP or ENT Specialist prior to having a hearing test.

My GP told me that my child's eardrums look dull, what does this mean? It is possible this might indicate there is fluid sitting in the middle ear cavity that could affect your child's hearing. Individual eardrums do look different when viewed so it is also possible this may not be the case. Tympanometry testing will indicate if there seems to be a problem with fluid in the middle ear.

Earplugs: What is the difference between DOCS Proplugs and moulded plugs? How much do they cost?

DOCS proplugs are a manufactured earplug that can be used to provide protection from getting water in the ears without causing a significant change in the hearing. They come in 8 different sizes and will be individually fitted to ensure they will be effective in keeping water out of your ears. COST: $26.40 per pair

Moulded Plugs: These are plugs that are individually moulded into the ears by taking a personalised impression. They can be used for water protection or hearing protection. Moulded plugs can be done and taken on the same day if we use Otoferm Protect material COST: $33 per pair, or can be sent to GN Resound for moulding into swimmers plugs , hearsaver plugs or musician earplugs