UMass Memorial offers comprehensive hearing loss tests for adults and children, including the tests listed here. We also dispense hearing aids and other listening devices, and offer a Cochlear Implant Program.
Adult Hearing Testing: Adults with concerns about hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and/or balance may undergo a number of hearing tests. An adult evaluation can include:
- Pure tone audiometry testing - A test to determine sensitivity to tones across the frequency (pitch) range of hearing
- Tympanometry - A procedure that detects middle ear problems, such as eardrum perforation and middle ear fluid
- Speech discrimination testing - A test to determine the ability to recognize speech clearly
- Middle ear muscle reflexes - A test on the function of the inner ear, auditory nerve and brainstem, and facial nerve
- Otoacoustic emissions - A test to assess the function of the inner ear
Threshold Auditory Evoked Response Testing: This testing is used to measure the hearing sensitivity in patients who cannot be tested by conventional means. The most common age for testing is birth to three years; however, it can also be used to check older patients who cannot complete testing due to cognitive/developmental impairment. UMass Memorial uses a combination of tests called auditory brainstem response and auditory steady-state response. The tests are simple, painless and noninvasive, but require the patient to be asleep. Pediatric patients older than three months usually require sedation, which is administered by our Children’s Medical Center anesthesiologists to ensure the highest safety and effectiveness.
Neurodiagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response Testing: This test is used to screen problems with the acoustic nerve and auditory brainstem. Clicking sounds are played through earphones while the response is recorded.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Testing: This test is used to test one of the balance organs of the inner ear for patients with unexplained dizziness/vertigo or certain types of hearing loss. It requires the patient to turn and hold their head in fixed positions while tones are played through earphones.
Auditory Processing Evaluations: Auditory processing evaluations are available for both adults and children eight years and older. Individuals with auditory processing disorder have difficulty processing or understanding auditory information, especially when the signal is complex, lengthy, spoken rapidly or in a poor listening environment. Our specialists use a number of tests and provide extensive follow-up recommendations to patients, parents and educators.
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program: Audiology Services oversees the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening program, which provides hearing tests at several birth centers in the region, and is a Level One Massachusetts Department of Public Health diagnostic follow-up center.