A Comprehensive, Whole-Person Approach to Hearing Healthcare

At Lake Medical Hearing Center, we believe better hearing is about more than just measuring sound—it’s about understanding how hearing challenges impact your communication, confidence, brain, and quality of life. Our Full-Spectrum Hearing Impact Assessment is a comprehensive, medically grounded, and patient-centered evaluation designed to uncover not only what you hear, but how you hear and how hearing difficulties affect your daily life.

This in-depth assessment allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that supports long-term success—not just short-term amplification.

What’s Included in Your Full-Spectrum Hearing Impact Assessment

In-Depth Hearing Health Case History

We begin by taking the time to truly understand you. This includes a detailed discussion of:

• Your hearing concerns and communication challenges

• Onset and progression of hearing difficulties

• Listening environments that feel most challenging

• Previous hearing care experiences (if applicable)

This information helps us tailor recommendations specifically to your hearing needs.

Medical History Review

Your overall health matters when it comes to hearing. We carefully review relevant medical history, medications, and risk factors that may influence hearing, tinnitus, or auditory processing to ensure safe, informed care.

Social & Emotional Impact Assessment

Hearing challenges often affect more than just communication. We assess how hearing difficulties impact:

• Social engagement

• Emotional well-being

• Confidence and participation

• Relationships and work performance

Understanding the impact your hearing has on your social and emotional wellbeing helps us design solutions that improve not just hearing—but quality of life.

Tinnitus Impact Assessment (If Applicable)

For individuals experiencing tinnitus, we evaluate:

• Perceived loudness and awareness

• Situations where tinnitus is most bothersome

• Emotional and functional impact (sleep, focus, stress)

• Coping strategies currently in use

This allows us to determine what level of tinnitus care you may need; which can include: tinnitus education, at-home tinnitus-specific management strategies, and/or professional tinnitus support program and sound therapy treatment may be beneficial.

Visual Inspection of the Outer Ear & Otoscopy

A visual examination of the outer ear, ear canal and eardrum to:

• Screen for skin cancer or other dermatological concerns

• Check for excessive earwax (cerumen) buildup

• Screen for abnormalities of ear structures

• Identify signs of middle ear disorders or infection

Wax Removal (If Warranted)

If excessive earwax is found which may impact hearing or test accuracy, safe and professional removal may be performed during the visit when deemed necessary.

Tympanometry

This test evaluates middle ear function by assessing eardrum movement; commonly referred to as the “pressure test”. It helps:

• Screen for middle ear disorders

• Rule out fluid and/or ear infections

• Confirm healthy middle ear status prior to hearing testing

• Set a baseline for future comparison, allowing for future identification of change in middle ear status

Medical-Model Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation

Our diagnostic hearing evaluation goes beyond a basic hearing test, and follows the medical model of care, meeting the standards of Audiology Practice Standards Organization and includes:

• Air conduction and Bone conduction threshold testing, with appropriate masking to accurately determine if medical intervention/referral is needed. 

• Speech recognition thresholds, or how softly you can hear and understand speech. 

• Assessment of speech understanding in quiet, to determine how clearly speech is understood when background noise is minimal — often where patients say, “I hear sounds, but I miss words.”

Inter-octave Threshold Testing:

• Often omitted elsewhere, but provides critical detail between standard test frequencies, allowing for: a more accurate understanding of hearing ability, improved identification of subtle hearing changes, and more precise fine-tuning of hearing devices (when applicable).

Assessment for Recruitment & Screening for Hyperacusis

We evaluate loudness perception to determine:

• Whether sounds become uncomfortably loud too quickly (recruitment)

• Sensitivity to everyday sounds (hyperacusis screening)

This ensures hearing solutions are comfortable, safe, and appropriate.

Assessment of Speech Understanding in Noise

Because real life is noisy, we evaluate how well speech is understood in challenging listening environments such as restaurants, groups, or social settings. This information is essential for:

• Evaluating how your brain is processing auditory information in complex situations

• Understanding real-world hearing difficulties

• Guiding technology and treatment recommendations

• Setting realistic expectations for improvement

Lifestyle & Listening Needs Assessment

Your hearing care should fit your life. We assess:

• Social, family, and work communication needs

• Hobbies, environments, and daily routines

• Your specific listening priorities and goals

This ensures recommendations are practical, personalized, and meaningful.

Review, Education & Personalized Treatment Planning

Comprehensive Results Review

You will receive a clear explanation of all findings, including:

• What the results mean

• How hearing and the brain work together

• Why specific challenges are occurring

Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your results, we develop a tailored plan that may include:

• Hearing technology recommendations (if appropriate)

• Communication strategies

• Education to support long-term success

• Hearing or tinnitus-specific support options

You will receive same-day results, a written report, and take-home educational materials so you feel informed and empowered.

Hearing Technology Demonstration (If Applicable)

When hearing technology is recommended, we may provide an in-office demonstration to help you experience potential benefits firsthand. Recommendations are always guided by:

• Your test results

• Your listening needs

• Your lifestyle and goals

There is never a one-size-fits-all approach.

Our Commitment to You

The Full-Spectrum Hearing Impact Assessment reflects our belief that exceptional hearing care:

• Treats the ear and the brain impacting your overall health

• Honors the person behind the test and their unique needs

• Focuses on connection, confidence, and quality of life

If you’re ready for answers, clarity, and care that goes beyond the basics, we’re here to help.