Expert audiological care in Walla Walla
comprehensive Hearing Tests In Walla Walla
At Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus, we provide thorough hearing evaluations designed to give you a complete understanding of your hearing health. Our comprehensive assessments use advanced diagnostic equipment to identify the type and degree of any hearing loss you may be experiencing.
A complete hearing evaluation involves examining your ears, testing your middle ear function, and measuring your ability to hear different sounds and understand speech. These components work together to create a detailed picture of your auditory health and help us recommend the most appropriate solutions.
Whether you’re noticing difficulty following conversations, experiencing ringing in your ears, or simply want a baseline hearing assessment, we’re here to help. The evaluation typically takes 60-90 minutes and provides the information needed to address your specific hearing concerns. Better hearing is on the horizon, and it starts with understanding your current hearing health.
Your hearing assessment experience
What to Expect During Your Hearing Evaluation
Your comprehensive hearing evaluation begins with a visual examination of your ears using a video otoscope. This allows us to check for earwax buildup, obstructions, or any visible issues that could affect your hearing or test accuracy. We then perform tympanometry, a test that measures how your eardrum responds to changes in air pressure.
The core of your hearing test takes place in our sound-treated booth. During pure tone testing, you’ll wear headphones and respond to tones at different pitches and volumes, creating your audiogram—a detailed map of your hearing sensitivity. We also conduct speech testing to assess how well you understand words at various volumes and in different listening conditions.
After testing, we’ll review your results with you, explain what they mean for your daily life, and discuss any recommended next steps—whether that’s hearing aids, tinnitus management, medical referral, or simply scheduling your next routine check-up.
Your Questions Answered
Frequently asked questions
We understand you may have questions about hearing aid fittings, what to expect during your appointment, and how we ensure your devices work perfectly for your lifestyle. Dr. Whitney Jacky, Au.D., CH-TM, with extensive experience in audiology and tinnitus management, has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions.
The cost of a hearing test at Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus varies depending on your insurance coverage. Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover diagnostic hearing tests when medically necessary. We recommend calling our office at (509) 876-0555 to discuss your specific insurance benefits.
A comprehensive hearing test at our Walla Walla office typically takes between 60-90 minutes. This includes your initial consultation, the otoscopic examination, the hearing test itself in our sound booth, and a detailed discussion of your results with our audiologist.
Referral requirements depend on your insurance coverage. Medicare patients will need a referral from their primary care physician for diagnostic hearing evaluations. Some insurance plans, such as Kaiser, require pre-authorization before scheduling your appointment. For many other insurance plans, no referral is needed, and you can schedule directly with us. We recommend calling our office at (509) 876-0555 so we can verify your specific insurance requirements and ensure a smooth scheduling process.
Please bring your insurance cards, a list of current medications, and any previous hearing test results if available. If you currently wear hearing aids, bring them along so we can evaluate their performance. Also, consider bringing a family member or friend who can provide insights about your hearing challenges.
We recommend adults get a baseline hearing test by age 50, then every three years until age 65. After 65, annual hearing tests are advisable. However, if you notice changes in your hearing, experience tinnitus, or work in noisy environments, more frequent testing may be beneficial.
While a standard hearing test doesn't directly measure tinnitus, it helps identify hearing loss patterns often associated with tinnitus. At Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus, Dr. Jacky specializes in tinnitus management and can perform additional assessments specifically for tinnitus evaluation and treatment planning.
A hearing screening is a quick pass/fail assessment that indicates whether further evaluation is needed. A comprehensive hearing test, like those we perform at Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus, provides detailed information about your hearing ability across different frequencies and includes a thorough evaluation of your ear health.
We provide hearing tests for patients age 5 and older. Pediatric hearing tests are adapted to be age-appropriate and engaging for children.
If your hearing test reveals hearing loss, we'll discuss your results in detail and explore treatment options tailored to your needs and lifestyle. This may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, tinnitus management strategies, or referrals to medical specialists when appropriate. Remember, tinnitus relief and better hearing are on the horizon with proper treatment.
Hear From Our Customers
What Our Customers Say
Our patients’ experiences speak volumes about our commitment to excellence, with many reporting improved relationships, renewed confidence, and a transformative impact on their daily lives through better hearing.
Hearing Care by Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus
The Horizon Hearing Difference
At Horizon Hearing & Tinnitus, we combine personalized solutions, expert care, cutting-edge technology, and comprehensive ongoing support to create an unparalleled hearing healthcare experience in Walla Walla.
Personalized Solutions
Tailored hearing solutions designed to meet your needs.
Expert Audiologist
Dr. Jacky, Au.D., CH-TM, provides exceptional audiology care.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Advanced hearing aids plus FDA-approved Lenire therapy.
Comprehensive Support
Ongoing adjustments, cleanings, repairs, and insurance assistance.