Audiology

Hearing Care Services

We provide comprehensive hearing care services including complete hearing evaluations, hearing loss rehabilitation, and counseling. In order to meet your individual hearing need, we may refer you for medical treatment, or recommend hearing aids or other assistive listening devices. We dispense a full selection of hearing aids including the latest cosmetically appealing styles and advanced digital models.

Hearing protection and hearing loss prevention are key components of hearing care. Through consultation on the effects of noise on hearing, community outreach talks, hearing screenings, and the dispensing of hearing protection devices, we strive to educate our patients and the general public on the importance of hearing and how to protect it.

• Assistive Devices
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Evaluations
• BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid)
• Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluations and Post-Operative Programming
• Custom Hearing Protection
• Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations
• Dizziness/vertigo evaluations
• Full diagnostic hearing examinations
• Hearing aids
• Hearing conservation
• Hearing Device Dispensing & Fitting
• Hearing protection
• Hearing screenings
• In-Office Hearing Device Services
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing
• Swim plugs
• Tinnitus Evaluation and Management
• Tympanometry

Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations

The audiometric evaluation consists of listening to tones through headphones and a special headband called a bone conductor. The patient responds to the tones by pushing a button. This test allows the hearing professional to evaluate the hearing status and the amount of hearing impairment. Speech testing is also performed to determine the patient’s ability to understand words.

This test can be modified to test children’s hearing as well.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the conduction bones, by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.  It is an objective test of middle ear function. It is not a hearing test, but rather a measure of energy transmission through the middle ear. This test should always be viewed in conjunction with pure tone audiometry. Tympanometry is a valuable component of the audiometric evaluation. In evaluating hearing loss, tympanometry assists in determining between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing

Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) is a simple, non-invasive test that can be used to screen hearing (particularly in neonates, infants, or individuals with developmental disabilities), and estimate hearing sensitivity.   
This test requires the patient to be still and quiet during the testing.

Tinnitus Evaluation and Treatment

Our audiologists will complete a comprehensive assessment to determine the cause of your tinnitus. We will then review your individual needs to develop a customized solution for you.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) evaluations

ABR testing is used to determine hearing status. It does not require a response from the patient so it is used for testing newborn infants, young children, and other patients who may not be able to respond appropriately during traditional hearing  testing. ABR testing is performed by attaching surface electrodes (similar to those used for an EEG) to the patient’s head to measure the response of the hearing nerve. ABR testing is a safe and painless test of the auditory pathway and brainstem function in response to click-type stimuli.

BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid)

BAHA devices are appropriate for some individuals with hearing loss.  Our audiologist will make the recommendation if they are appropriate.  This clinic provides all diagnostic, programing and follow-up care for these devices.

Hearing Device Dispensing & Fitting

Our staff emphasizes the importance of involving your family in the process of getting amplification. It is important that your loved ones have realistic expectations and understand how they can help you hear better. We provide ongoing cleaning and maintenance after your hearing device purchase to ensure you receive optimum performance and benefit from your hearing devices. We encourage all our patients to come in for a regular hearing device check-ups and cleanings.

In-Office Hearing Device Services

We provice in office repairs, maintenance and programming.

Assistive Devices

When hearing aids are not enough or not appropriate, we offer devices for the TV, cell phones, landline telephones, FM classroom amplification, and sound alert devices.

Custom Hearing Protection

The Walla Walla Clinic provides custom hearing protection. The following custom products are available:

• Industrial hearing protection
• Musicians earplugs
• Shooters Plugs (used for hunting)
• Swimplugs
• Mp3 molds
• Musician monitors

Items available for purchase

• Hearing device batteries
• Dry and Store containers and accessories
• Hearing device cleaning supplies