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You will also be tested using a series of low & high frequency words to determine your ability to understand verbiage within a short distance as in a conversation. We will also give you several words to repeat. The results will help us determine your percentage of hearing loss, your ability to understand speech, and if hearing aids will help you.

We offer information and guidance on use of assistive listening devices, such as amplified telephones, FM transmitter systems, and infrared systems. These systems serve as additional help in situations when hearing aids do not provide the necessary assistance. We will either order the device in which you are interested, or give you the information to order on your own.


TV EARS is a listening device for television that is designed for people with moderate to severe hearing loss. The device is wireless and the personal headset allows you to listen to TV at your own volume. Additional features include automatic commerical control (eliminates loud commericals), voice enhancement technology, and voluem, balance, and tone controls.


AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES allow you to adjust the volume and clarity of telephone conversations. These devices are designed for individuals with hearing loss, and a variety of models are available, including cordless phones, speaker phones, and voice enhancing phones.
Tennessee residents may qualify to obtain an amplified telephone through the Telecommunications Deives Access Program (TDAP) Individuals must be deaf or hard of hearing and are unable to use a telephone without the use of an ALD, such as an amplified telephone. Applications may be obtained through your audiologist.


CELLPHONES, depending upon the manufacturer and model, can be amplified or made hearing aid compatible. In some instances, a device, such as the CHAAMP Cell Phone Amplifier, may be added to the cell phone for added volume. Recent requirements by the Federal Communications Commission (FOC) oblige wireless device providers to provide wireless devices that are compatible to hearing aid devices, as defined in the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), C63.19 Standard. The following outlines the FOC rating system for cell phone-hearing aid compatibility:

Acoustic coupling (using a cell phone with a hearing aid in the
regular microphone setting/program): The higher the RF emission (M-Rating) the less likely the hearing aid user will experience interference when suing a wireless device. Wireless device manufacturers are required to produce handsets that rate at least a M3 or M4.

Magnetic coupling (using a cell phone with a hearing aid in a t-coil setting/program): The higher the T-rating the less likely the hearing aid user will experience interference when using a hearing aid in the t-coil setting with a wireless device. Wireless device manufacturers are required to produce handsets that rate at least a T3 or T4.

***Labels appear on the packaging of wireless devices to designate the hearing aid compatibility. FOC requires a minimum of M3 and T3 in at least one device per wireless device manufacturer.


VIBRATING/ EXTRA LOUD ALARM CLOCKS are designed for individuals with significant hearing loss. A variety of alarm clock models are available with a range of signals, including loud pulsating audio alarm, flashing lights, vibration of the clock, or vibration of the bed.

Audiometric Evaluations: Adults The audiometric evaluation (audio) consists of testing with both speech and pure tones. Testing with pure tones is done to determine the amount of hearing loss for volume. Speech discrimination scores are obtained to estimate the loss of hearing pertaining to the fine-tunig ability of the ear.

Audiometric Evaluations: Pediatrics Depending on the age of the child, different play techniques are employed to determine the amount of hearing loss in each ear using pure tones and speech stimuli. For the youngest children, information specific to each ear may not be obtainable, but overall information is possible.

A series of clicking sounds are presented to the ears to determine how sound is transmitted through the inner ear and along the nerve of hearing. Testing is completed in a reclined position and you are encouraged to sleep or relax. The test is very sensitive to body and facial movement, so the more still the patient is, the faster the testing will be completed. Electrodes are worn on the forehead and at each ear. Testing requires approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

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During this test, you will stand on a specialized platform to determine how steady you are under varying conditions. Posturography assesses how the inner ear, visual and muscular systems are used to maintain balance. Testing occurs in bare feet and a safety harness is worn. Due to the harness, slacks should be worn for testing. CDP testing takes about 30 minutes and is done at the Rehabilitation Department.

During the ENG and VNG, eye movements are recorded, as there is an interaction between eye movement and function of the inner ear balance (vestibular) system. Electrodes are placed on your face near you eyes (ENG) or goggles are placed over the eyes (VNG). For the first part of the test, the patient will be instructed to watch a light moving on a bar. Next, eye movements will be recorded as the patient lies in different positions (seated, lying down with head turned right or left, etc.) Lastly, warm and cool water will be placed in the ear canal. Some portions of this test, particularly the last part, may make you dizzy. Dizziness is a normal response and usually resolves in two to three minutes. Because medications can influence the results of this test, the patient is asked to avoid the use of certain drugs. These are listed under Medications to Avoid Prior to Testing. ENG and VNG testing takes about 1-1 hours. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID WEARING MAKE UP FOR THIS TEST AS IT CAN INTERFEAR WITH THE RECORDING.

We can make a wide variety of custom earmold products including noise protection, cell phone ear pieces, swim plugs and portable listening devices (examples are not limited to iPods and Lightspeed Aviation products)

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Acoustically evoked otoacoustic emission testing allows the audiologist to understand how the outer hair cells of your inner ear are working.

The test is similar to the ABR in that it uses clicks and the same electrode arrangement. The ECoG is used to determine if there is too much fluid or pressure within the inner ear mechanism, as is frequently seen with Menieres Disease or cochlear hydrops. Testing usually requires 30 minutes.

Hearing Aids - We offer a wide selection of hearing aids, including digital processing and digitally programmable, from a variety of manufacturers. We will work with you to find the best solution for your hearing healthcare needs within your budget.

Repair All Makes - We can get your hearing aid repaired quickly at a reasonable cost and give you a loaner hearing aid to use until yours comes back.

Live Speech Mapping is a fitting process that uses probe microphones and live real-time speech to allow the patient and their family members to immediately see and understand the benefits of hearing aids and fitting adjustments.

Tympanometry is an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the conduction bones, by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.

Frequency (or pitch) is depicted on the horizontal axis, from low frequencies on the left (250 Hz) to high frequencies on the right (8000 Hz). The amount of hearing loss is shown on the vertical axis with the higher numbers indicating a greater degree of hearing loss. A symbol on this axis (circle, open or closed) is a measure of the person's hearing threshold at this frequency, i.e., the loudness (intensity) point where sound is just audible. Thresholds from zero to 20 dB are considered to be within the normal hearing range. After that point, people will usually begin to display some communication difficulties because of the elevated hearing thresholds. The higher the number, the greater the impact of the hearing loss.

The 100 dB point should not be confused with a 100% hearing loss, which is a total lack of hearing. Hearing sensations do continue past this point, with some audiometers extending this vertical range to 120 dB. In short, the audiogram is a chart of a person's hearing loss, frequency by frequency.

Now note the shaded area extending across the audiogram (the so-called "speech banana"). This is a general representation of the acoustical speech energy across frequency. Vowels are predominantly in the lower pitches and consonants are predominantly in the higher pitches. Only the shaded area of the speech banana above the threshold curve is audible.

Looking at the audiogram again, and relating it to the speech banana, it is apparent that a person with this hearing loss will hear more of the lower frequency speech sounds than the higher ones. Indeed, some of the higher frequency sounds, such as the /s/ sound (the most frequently used phoneme in the English language) will barely be heard at all.

Will this person be able to understand normal speech without a hearing aid?

Yes, but only with some difficulty and then only if the talker is close by and raises his or her voice slightly. There are, unfortunately, many people with audiograms similar to this who do not, for one reason or another, wear hearing aids. One often sees this type of audiogram in older people whose hearing loss just "crept up" on them and who are still not fully aware of the difficulty they are causing themselves, their family and friends,

The VAT is used to test the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR). The primary purpose of the VOR is to allow clear vision during walking and other faster movements. Much like the ENG, electrodes are placed on your face near your eyes. A lightweight helmet is worn to connect with the electrodes. The patient is then instructed to keep their eyes on one spot directly in front of them. They will hear tones coming from a speaker. Patients are instructed to keep their eyes on the spot target on the wall and to move their head in time to the computer-generated tone while keeping their body still. The tones will start out slow and will get progressively faster. VAT testing takes 15 minutes.

A series of clicking sounds are presented to the ears to measure a reflex that comes from the balance nerve. Electrodes are placed on either side of your neck and between your collarbones. The patient is in a seated position and is instructed to turn their head as far as they can to the right or to the left (depending on which ear is being tested) to tighten the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The head is kept in this position while the patient is hearing clicking sounds through the earphones which can last anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds. This is repeated several times on each side. There will be an opportunity for the patient to rest between each test run. VEMP testing usually requires 20 minutes.