A complete picture of your hearing, done right the first time
Our comprehensive hearing evaluations follow best-practice protocols and are conducted by a board-certified hearing instrument specialist. No referral needed. Typically completed in 60–90 minutes.
Hearing loss is gradual and easy to miss, until it isn’t.
Most people with hearing loss wait 7–10 years before seeking help. By then, communication has become a daily struggle, and the brain has started to compensate in ways that make treatment harder.
A hearing evaluation takes less than 90 minutes. If everything is fine, you’ll have peace of mind. If there’s a change, you’ll be glad you caught it early, when your options are greatest.
When should you get tested?
Adults over 50 should have a baseline evaluation every 3 years. Anyone experiencing symptoms, such as difficulty understanding speech, ringing in the ears, or asking people to repeat themselves, should be seen promptly.
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
One of the most common early signs patients and their families notice.
Difficulty understanding in noise
Struggling in restaurants, meetings, or groups is a classic hearing loss symptom.
TV volume higher than others prefer
When family members comment on the volume, it’s worth getting evaluated.
Ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus)
Often accompanies hearing loss and worth investigating promptly.
Muffled or unclear speech
Words that sound like they’re coming through water or a wall are a clear indicator.
What happens during a Sidney Sound hearing evaluation?
Every evaluation follows evidence-based best-practice protocols.
Case History Review
We start by understanding you: your hearing concerns, medical history, noise exposure, and lifestyle. This shapes everything that follows and ensures we’re testing the right things.
Pure Tone Audiometry
The core of any hearing test. You’ll listen for tones at different frequencies and volumes through headphones. This creates your audiogram, a map of your hearing sensitivity across pitches.
Visual Inspection (Otoscopy)
We examine your ear canals and eardrums to check for wax buildup, fluid, infections, or any physical issues that might affect hearing or require medical referral.
Speech Discrimination Testing
We test your ability to understand and repeat words at various volumes, giving us insight into not just how loud sounds need to be, but how clearly you can process speech.
Results Review & Consultation
We go through your results together, in plain language, not clinical jargon. You’ll understand exactly what your audiogram shows and what your options are before you leave.
Simple, straightforward, no surprises.
We know visiting a specialist can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. Here is exactly what will happen when you come in for an evaluation.
Arrival & Intake (10 min)
We’ll greet you, review your intake form, and answer any questions before we begin.
Testing (45–60 min)
Comfortable, quiet, completely painless. You’ll sit in a sound booth while we run the evaluation at your pace.
Results & Discussion (20–30 min)
Your specialist will review your audiogram with you, explain what it means, and discuss next steps, with zero pressure.
Your hearing evaluation questions, answered.
Is a hearing evaluation covered by insurance?
Medicare covers evaluations when medically necessary. Many private insurance plans also provide coverage. We verify your benefits before your appointment so you know upfront what to expect.
Do I need a referral to schedule an evaluation?
No. You can schedule directly with us, no doctor’s referral required. If we find something that requires medical attention, we’ll refer you to the appropriate physician.
How often should I get my hearing tested?
If you wear hearing aids, an annual hearing recheck is part of ongoing care to make sure your hearing hasn’t changed and your devices are still tuned correctly. If you don’t wear hearing aids, a baseline at age 50 and every two to three years after is a reasonable cadence, sooner if you notice any of the signs of hearing loss.
What’s the difference between a screening and a full evaluation?
A screening tells you whether you have some hearing loss. A full diagnostic evaluation tells you what type, what frequencies are affected, how it impacts your speech understanding, and what the right next step is. We start most patients with a screening and move into a full evaluation when needed.
Will I leave with a recommendation?
Yes. Your specialist explains the results in plain language and walks you through what your options look like. You’ll never leave wondering what the test meant or what to do next.
Curious where your hearing is?
Book a screening today. We’ll give you straight answers and a plan, no pressure.
Book Your Evaluation