Standard Diagnostic Hearing Test. Pensioners Bulk Billed

Private Diagnostic Hearing Test 5 Years and up. $150. 30-60 Mins. Rebate with GP Referral.

Testing is conducted using state of the art equipment in a soundproof booth. it tests the human speech spectrum from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz.

Testing includes Otoscopy, Air Conduction, Bone Conduction, Speech Testing with AB Words, and Tympanometry to assess Middle Ear Function. A complimentary Report will be forwarded to yourself or the referring GP/Specialist.

The Free Hearing Screen that all companies do is only to give you a rough idea to see if you need further assistance. It only generally includes Air Conduction just one small part of the bundle of tests and, as such, are not suitable for Medical, License, CASA, Workcover, Pre-Employment or Tinnitus Testing and Evaluation.

A Diagnostic Hearing Test allows the Audiologist to differentiate between true Hearing Losses (Sensorineural) where hearing aids may be recommended, and Mechanical Hearing Losses (Conductive), which may have medical or surgical treatments. The same testing is used for our Preemployment testing but no medicare rebate or bulk billing is available for Preemployment testing under Medicare regulations.

Looking with Otoscope in Ear Before Tinnitus Assessment

High Tone Diagnostic Hearing Test.

Extended Range with OAE Diagnostic Hearing Test. $250. 60 Mins. Partial Rebate with GP Referral

Includes all the services from the standard hearing test as well as extended range testing in the non speech range10000 Hz to 20000 Hz and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) both TEOAE and DPOAE. This more detailed test is useful for clients on Ototoxic medication in Hospital and may show earlier signs of hearing loss before it begins to affect the Audiogram and Hearing levels in the Speech Range. It is used for gaining additional information such as Tinnitus Pitch matching iif needed n the Tinnitus Assessments.

A complimentary Report will be forwarded to yourself or the referring GP/Specialist. (Free Hearing Screenings) as advertised by some companies do not include all these components and as such can't let your GP know if your hearing loss is medically treatable or suitable for Hearing Aids or other options.

Unfortunately, this service cannot be bulk billed for pensioners but medicare rebates may apply. If the Pensioner or Veteran has an unused Hearing Services Voucher New or Return and relocates to us as a provider it can be tested free of charge,

Audiologist looking in an ear with an Otoscope

All Child Hearing Tests Under 5 years Bulk Billed

Hearing Testing Under 5 years old. Bulk billed Up to 60 mins. GP referral required

Hearing Testing for Children before they can reliably respond around age 5 requires specialised equipment. The Battery that we use in Bundaberg includes Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) to measure outer hair cell function, Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), where brainwaves latencies are measured to get an estimate of hearing ability, and Tympanometry to rule out any middle ear pathology such as Glue Ear or perforations in the ear drum which could confound the results. The Results are generally explained on the day and a report sent to relevant parties. GP\Specialist referral required.. None of the above testing can be performed with a crying child so it does depend on how they are feeling on the day if all of the tests can be performed. If testing can't be continued we will retry the testing, in a week to few months depending on the parent's wishes and urgency for the results. If needed and for everyone under the age of 26 fully subsidised hearing aids can be arranged at no cost through Hearing Australia.

Audiologist looking into little girls ear with an otoscope before child hearing test

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) for Infant Hearing Testing

ABR 30-60 mins. Bulk Billed with GP referral

ABR Hearing Test can be used for threshold estimation of infants (when used with OAE testing), Site of Lesion Testing, and to rule out Auditory Neuropathy as part of Auditory processing test battery.

Bulk Billed with GP referral.

ABR Hearing Estimation

ABR tests how the nerve and brainstem pathways for hearing are working and can estimate hearing for infant hearing testing and sometime on good natured non-verbal Adults. This Test is included in the Auditory Processing Assessment and Infant Hearing under 5 years old Test Battery. Please see those tests for costs involved.

ABR Site of Lesion Test

While MRI is the gold standard for site of lestion testing and Acoustic Neuroma testing, ABR, is still a fairly sensitive test for Tumours over 1 cm large and for patients who aren't able to have an MRI for various reasons.

ABR in Auditory Processing Testing to rule out Auditory Neuropathy

Auditory Neuropathy is a hearing disorder in which the inner ear can detect sound but has issues sending it from the ear to the brain. (This is part of our Auditory Processing Battery).

It can affect all ages from infancy to adulthood. There are genetic risk factors as well issues during pregnancy and birth which can make it more likely.

The Hearing levels of afflicted patients with Auditory Neuropathy can range from normal to severe. However very poor speech discrimination scores are nearly always found, and self-reported issues with speech clarity are generally reported.

Threshold Testing ABR

Speech in Noise Test - Auditory Contrast Test (ACT)

ACT Test 30-60 min $200 (Test and Discussion) Bulk Billed for Pensioners with valid Referral

Includes the Diagnostic Hearing Test. The Auditory Contrast Test is a one of the latest Speech in Noise Tests. This is included in the High Tone Diagnostic Test, or it may be added tested separately if a recent Diagnostic Hearing Test has already been performed. Problems hearing in background noise and groups is one of the most common concerns with even mild hearing loss. The ACT measures the hearing ability in noisy situations. It is performed under headphones with sound that is modified to maximise audibility across the person's hearing. It is not language dependent unlike many older tests and may assist the Audiologist in selecting the right level of Technology and more information to fine tune Hearing Aids. ET AL state that is strongly related to valid speech outcomes in Aided Hearing-Impaired Listeners and can even predict the benefit of speech in noise reduction.

Trying to Hear in a busy room. Bundaberg Hearing Aids can help