Hearing Services in Massachusetts
Hearing Testing
Diagnostic Audiometric Testing
Hearing evaluations are used to differentiate patients who have auditory problems related to medical conditions versus those disorders that result solely in communication impairments. These are diagnostic medical tests, usually covered by health insurance, and are conducted only by audiologists. Diagnostic audiometric tests should not be confused with the “free” hearing tests that other facilities use as a sales tool to generate office traffic for hearing aid fittings.
Auditory Processing
Auditory Processing (also called Central Auditory Processing) refers to the means by which we make sense of what we hear. “Auditory Processing Disorders” refers to the abnormal interaction of hearing, neural transmission and the brain’s ability to make sense of sound. People with auditory processing disorders may indeed have normal hearing, but they have difficulty understanding auditory information.
Children who have difficulty using information they hear in academic and social situations may have auditory processing disorder (APD). These children typically have normal hearing but have difficulty making sense of what they hear due to difficulties in attending to, storing, locating, retrieving, and/or clarifying the information they hear to make it useful for academic and social purposes (Katz & Wilde, 1994). This can have a negative impact on both language acquisition and academic performance. An audiologist can perform a battery of tests to help identify children and adults with auditory processing disorders and give detailed recommendations, which if followed, can improve processing and help improve performance.
Hearing Aid Repairs
We repair all brands of hearing aids either in house or by sending directly to the manufacturer. All our work is warrantied for satisfaction and quality.
Audiologist Consultations
Our audiologists are available to consult with you regarding second opinions on hearing evaluations and hearing aid recommendations. We are also available to consult with you if you have had your hearing evaluated at a separate facility. If you need further testing, we will be happy to arrange for it in the office. We are also able to contact your insurance company to inquire about any coverage you may have for hearing testing or for hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. Many of our Hear Now Audiology offices provide consultation to school districts and to industry.
Hearing Aid Sales
Hear Now Audiologists only use the latest technology from major Hearing Aid manufacturers. Based on your hearing evaluation, we will recommend the best hearing aid technology and prescription for you. The success of hearing aid fitting with leading edge technology depends largely on the specialist and their expertise. We guarantee we are the experts and we will be fitting you with the latest technology available to meet your hearing needs. Our hearing aid consultations take into consideration your needs, your budget, and your lifestyle. We will work with you to find the best hearing solutions to your hearing needs.
Hearing Evaluations
Our comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations are quick and painless and will determine the type and severity of any hearing loss, and whether medical intervention is advisable. Your hering evaluation will also determine whether hearing aid use is indicated. Testing can include a variety of assessments including pure tone and speech testing, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, and otoacoustic emission testing. Tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing are used to determine if there is any middle ear involvement in the hearing loss. Otoacoustic emission testing is a passive test which can be used to screen hearing and determine if there is damage to the cochlea of the inner ear. Pure tones and discrimination testing determine the type of hearing loss and your ability to understand speech.
