Understand Your Hearing With a Comprehensive Evaluation

If conversations sound unclear, background noise makes speech difficult or you find yourself increasing the television volume, a comprehensive hearing evaluation can identify how well you hear across different sounds and listening situations.

At Colorado Hearing in Montrose, Colorado, Brian Bennett, BC-HIS, provides comprehensive hearing evaluations for adults in a sound-treated testing environment. Call 970-318-2010 to schedule your hearing test.

When Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?

Hearing loss often develops gradually. Because the brain adapts to small changes, family members and friends may notice the difference before you do. A baseline hearing test creates a record that can be used to identify future changes, even if you are not currently experiencing significant difficulty.

Consider scheduling a hearing evaluation if you:

  • Hear people speaking but have difficulty understanding the words
  • Struggle to follow conversations in restaurants or other noisy settings
  • Frequently ask others to repeat themselves
  • Turn up the television, radio or phone volume
  • Have difficulty hearing certain voices
  • Experience ringing, buzzing or other sounds associated with tinnitus
  • Feel tired from concentrating during conversations
  • Avoid social situations because hearing has become frustrating
  • Want to establish a baseline for monitoring your hearing

What Is Included in a Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation?

Your evaluation begins with a discussion of your hearing concerns, symptoms, health history, noise exposure, medication history and situations in which hearing is most difficult. Brian Bennett then selects the appropriate tests based on your needs.

A comprehensive hearing evaluation may include:

Outer Ear and Ear Canal Examination

A visual examination and otoscopy are used to inspect the outer ear, ear canals and eardrums. If earwax prevents a clear examination or could affect testing, Brian Bennett will discuss appropriate ear-cleaning care or referral.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry evaluates how the eardrum responds to changes in air pressure. This can provide useful information about the condition and function of the middle ear.

Pure-Tone Air and Bone Conduction Testing

Pure-tone testing measures the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches. Air- and bone-conduction results help identify patterns in your hearing and determine whether additional medical evaluation may be appropriate.

Speech Reception and Word Recognition Testing

Speech reception testing measures how softly you can recognize familiar words. Word recognition testing evaluates how clearly you understand speech when it is presented at an appropriate listening level.

Most Comfortable Listening Level

This testing helps identify a comfortable volume range that may be used when evaluating and programming prescription hearing aids.

Speech-in-Noise Testing

Many patients hear adequately in quiet rooms but struggle when other people are talking or background noise is present. Speech-in-noise testing helps evaluate how these real-world conditions affect speech understanding.

Functional Listening Checks

When appropriate, a spouse, family member or friend may participate in a listening check using a familiar voice. This helps connect the test results with the communication situations that matter in daily life.

Clear Explanations and Practical Next Steps

After testing, Brian Bennett will explain your results, answer your questions and discuss the appropriate next step. This may include continued monitoring, a medical referral or a consultation about prescription hearing aids.

With your permission, results can also be emailed to you and your primary care provider. If your symptoms or test findings indicate that medical evaluation should come first, Brian Bennett will recommend the appropriate referral. You can also review our guidance on when not to have a hearing test.

Experienced Adult Hearing Care in Montrose

Brian Bennett is a Board Certified Hearing Specialist and Colorado-licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser who has served adults in Montrose since 2010. He has completed more than 2,500 hearing evaluations and uses state-calibrated audiometric equipment in a sound-treated testing area.

Testing technology available at Colorado Hearing includes a video otoscope, audiometer, tympanometer, real-ear measurement system and hearing-aid analyzer. This technology supports detailed evaluations as well as accurate fitting and adjustment of prescription hearing aids.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Tests

Do I need a hearing test if I can still hear?

You may benefit from testing even if you can hear many sounds. Early hearing changes often affect speech clarity or the ability to understand conversations in background noise before they affect overall volume.

What is the difference between a hearing screening and a comprehensive hearing evaluation?

A screening provides a basic indication of whether further testing may be needed. A comprehensive evaluation examines hearing thresholds, speech understanding, middle-ear function and other factors that help create a more complete picture of your hearing.

Does Colorado Hearing test children?

No. Colorado Hearing is licensed and equipped to provide hearing evaluations and hearing treatment for adults.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes. A spouse, family member or friend can provide helpful information about communication concerns and may participate in a functional listening check using a familiar voice.

What happens if the evaluation shows hearing loss?

Brian Bennett will explain the results and discuss the appropriate next step. Depending on the findings, this may include monitoring your hearing, seeking medical evaluation or considering professionally fitted prescription hearing aids.

Will I receive a copy of my results?

Yes. Your results will be explained to you and can be emailed to you. With your permission, they can also be sent to your primary care provider.

Schedule Your Hearing Evaluation

A comprehensive hearing evaluation can provide clear answers about your hearing and help you make an informed decision about what to do next. Call Colorado Hearing at 970-318-2010 to schedule your hearing test in Montrose, Colorado.