If you've noticed you're asking people to repeat themselves more often, struggling to hear conversations at Falls Park, or turning up the volume during Sioux Falls Skyforce games, it might be time for a hearing test. But not all hearing tests are created equal. Understanding what separates a thorough, professional evaluation from a basic screening can help you make informed decisions about your hearing health right here in Sioux Falls.

The Foundation: A Comprehensive Medical Consultation

A quality hearing test begins before any equipment is used. We start by learning about you—your lifestyle, your communication needs, and your hearing concerns. Whether you're an educator at one of Sioux Falls' many schools, work in the bustling healthcare sector at Sanford or Avera, or enjoy the lively atmosphere at downtown restaurants along Phillips Avenue, your daily listening environments matter.

During this consultation, we ask detailed questions about your medical history. Have you experienced ear infections? Do you work in noisy environments? Are there any medications you're taking that might affect hearing? This background information helps us understand not just what you're hearing, but why changes might have occurred.

We also discuss how hearing loss affects your daily life. Perhaps you're missing conversations with grandchildren, struggling during business meetings, or feeling isolated at family gatherings. These personal details shape our approach to testing and eventual treatment recommendations.

A Thorough Physical Examination

Before conducting auditory tests, we perform a careful physical examination of your ears using an otoscope. This simple but valuable step can reveal important information about your ear health.

We check for earwax buildup, which is surprisingly common and can significantly affect hearing. In South Dakota's dry climate, earwax can become impacted more easily. We also look for signs of infection, inflammation, damage to the eardrum, or structural abnormalities that might contribute to hearing difficulties.

Sometimes, hearing problems stem from treatable physical issues rather than permanent hearing loss. Identifying these conditions early means we can address them appropriately, potentially restoring hearing without the need for hearing aids.

The Testing Environment Matters

Quality hearing tests happen in controlled environments specifically designed for accurate results. We conduct testing in a sound-treated room that blocks out external noise. This matters in a city like Sioux Falls, where traffic from I-29 and I-229, construction projects, and the general sounds of a growing community of over 190,000 people can interfere with testing accuracy.

The controlled environment means we're measuring your actual hearing ability, not your ability to hear over background noise. This precision is what allows us to detect even mild hearing loss and create an accurate baseline for your hearing health.

Comprehensive Testing Protocols

A thorough hearing evaluation includes multiple tests, each revealing different aspects of your hearing function.

Pure Tone Testing measures your ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and volumes. You'll wear headphones and indicate when you hear various tones. This test determines the softest sounds you can hear across the speech spectrum, from low-pitched sounds like a truck rumbling down Minnesota Avenue to high-pitched sounds like birds chirping at the Great Plains Zoo.

Speech Testing evaluates how well you understand spoken words. This is particularly relevant for daily communication. We assess your ability to hear and repeat words at various volume levels. After all, hearing isn't just about detecting sound—it's about understanding conversation.

Additional testing might include bone conduction tests, which help determine whether hearing loss originates in the outer or middle ear versus the inner ear. This distinction is valuable for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Each test is painless and non-invasive. The entire process takes less than an hour but provides comprehensive information about your hearing health.

Understanding Your Results

After testing, we carefully explain your results using an audiogram—a visual representation of your hearing ability. We take time to ensure you understand what the results mean for your daily life.

Your audiogram shows the quietest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. We explain the severity and type of any hearing loss detected and discuss how it might be affecting your communication. Whether you're struggling to hear your colleagues at work, missing dialogue at the State Theatre, or having difficulty following sermons at church, we connect your test results to your real-world experiences.

This conversation is collaborative, not prescriptive. We want you to understand your hearing health and feel empowered to make informed decisions about treatment.

The Importance of Best Practices

We follow evidence-based protocols throughout the testing process. This includes using calibrated, modern equipment and staying current with the latest research in audiology. We're committed to providing the same level of care you'd expect from any healthcare professional in our community.

If hearing aids are recommended, we use Real Ear Measurement—a verification procedure that ensures hearing aids are programmed precisely for your unique ear anatomy and hearing loss. This attention to detail makes a significant difference in hearing aid success and satisfaction.

Establishing Your Baseline

Even if your hearing test reveals normal hearing, you've established a valuable baseline for future comparison. Hearing naturally changes over time, and having a record of your current hearing allows us to track any changes and intervene early if needed.

Early detection of hearing loss leads to better outcomes. The sooner you begin treatment, the easier it is to adapt to hearing aids and maintain your communication abilities. Your brain needs time to adjust to amplified sound, and starting treatment earlier in the hearing loss journey typically results in greater satisfaction.

Schedule Your Hearing Test

If you're experiencing signs of hearing loss, don't wait. Regular hearing tests are just as important as dental cleanings and eye exams for maintaining your overall health and wellbeing.

We've been serving the Sioux Falls community with comprehensive hearing evaluations and personalized care for over 15 years. Our audiologist, Dr. Mandy Rounseville-Norgaard, brings both extensive professional experience and personal understanding—having worn hearing aids herself since age three. She knows firsthand the frustration of hearing difficulties and the life-changing impact of proper treatment.

We're here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the thorough, professional hearing care you deserve. Contact our office at 605-306-3050 to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation. Let's work together to keep you connected to the conversations, relationships, and community activities that matter most in your life here in Sioux Falls.