Truly Care About Your Hearing? Experience Our Holistic Approach to Hearing Tests
Introduction: A New Era in Hearing Health
Hearing loss is a common issue, especially as we age. But what if a hearing test could do more than just detect beeps and tones? At Hoffman Audiology, we offer more than just the basics of a hearing test. We assess your hearing abilities in quiet and noisy environments while also screening cognitive function using, the first of its kind in SA computerised cognitive screening, the Cognivue Thrive (™). This combination provides a complete view of your auditory and brain health. We are dedicated to offering personalised and innovative brain-hearing solutions.
Why Traditional Hearing Tests Fall Short
Traditional hearing tests usually take about 30 minutes. These assessments mainly look at air conduction, bone conduction, and speech understanding in quiet places. While they can identify how much hearing loss you have, they often miss important details that affect how you hear in real life. They may not consider your lifestyle, medical history, or the challenges you face in noisy situations like parties, busy restaurants, or car rides.
Limitations of Standard Tests
Short Duration: A 30-minute appointment may not give enough time for a thorough discussion and personal assessment, and it might not show the whole picture.
Limited Scope: Focusing on basic hearing levels in quiet areas doesn’t show the everyday listening challenges people face.
Lack of Cognitive Assessment: Standard tests often do not check the important connection between hearing and brain function. Emerging research shows a strong link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, but traditional tests don’t evaluate cognition.
The Hoffman Audiology Difference in Hearing Assessment
At Hoffman Audiology, we understand that hearing health is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our practice focuses on delivering personalised care through advanced technology, thorough evaluation processes, and a deep commitment to your overall health.
A Holistic Approach to Hearing Health
Here is how we stand out:
Pre-Appointment Consultation: Your journey starts before you even visit our clinic. We take time to understand your concerns, questions, experiences, and goals you have regarding your hearing. This ensures our evaluations are tailored to your specific needs.
Extended Appointment Time: Your first appointment will last at least one hour. This gives us the time to understand your individual needs. We encourage you to bring a loved one for support. This way, important details can be noted in a comfortable and familiar setting.
Detailed Case History: Hearing loss is influenced by various factors, including medical history, lifestyle, and occupational exposure. We examine these factors in depth to understand the bigger picture, which helps us personalise your care and treatment plan.
Comprehensive Hearing Tests: We will assess various aspects of your hearing, including speech-in-noise testing. We often test frequencies between the main frequencies and perform extended high-frequency testing. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who suspect they have hearing problems, even if standard tests indicate normal results.
We conduct diagnostic otoacoustic emission testing (DPOAEs) to assess the function of your outer cochlear hair cells. This sensitive test can identify early signs of hearing loss.
Speech-in-Noise Testing: We assess your ability to understand speech in noisy environments. This simulates real-world listening situations and helps us identify the support you need. Making the right hearing solution recommendations means considering your budget, lifestyle, and hearing needs. This approach reduces the number of unused hearing aids and increases the number of successful users.
Cognitive Screening (for patients 50+): We'll carry out a 5-minute, self-administered cognitive screening using the Cognivue Thrive. You won't pay extra for this service; it’s included in our holistic assessment to provide us with more information.
Results Review and Personalised Plan: We'll go over your results in detail and create a treatment plan based on your individual needs and lifestyle. You will receive a hearing and cognition folder summarising your results. This explains why you may struggle in certain situations and is useful for friends and family who weren't part of the initial consultation but are interested in understanding the outcomes.
Family Involvement: We encourage you to bring a loved one for extra support and insight. Having someone with you not only helps ensure that all important details are captured but it also allows you, the patient, to feel more at ease during your appointment. Remember, two ears are better than one, and two brains are better than one, too! Our aim is to help everyone feel comfortable during their visit. This way, we can focus on the key issues at hand.
Cognitive Screening: The Role of Cognivue Thrive in Hearing Health
Cognitive screening plays a key role in our approach, especially for patients aged 50 and over. Studies show that untreated hearing loss can sharply raise the risk of cognitive decline. In fact, hearing loss is identified as the leading modifiable risk factor for dementia, according to the 2020 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention and care.
Spotting cognitive issues early means timely treatment and better outcomes. That’s why we offer Cognivue Thrive, a revolutionary tool designed to bridge this gap.
The Cognivue Thrive is a useful tool for checking cognitive health. It measures five key areas: memory, executive function, visuospatial processing, processing speed, and reaction time. A healthcare professional should review and explain the results.
The test doesn’t rely on sound, so hearing loss won’t interfere with results. It adjusts for age and gender to keep testing accurate and personalised. By detecting early signs of cognitive decline, we can refer patients to specialists focused on brain health for timely treatment. It also enables us to monitor your cognitive health over time.
The relationship between untreated hearing loss and cognitive health as per the Lancet 2024 update of risk factors for dementia.
Who Should Consider Cognitive Screening with Cognivue Thrive?
Cognitive screening with Cognivue Thrive is recommended for individuals aged 50 and older who have hearing concerns. It's especially helpful for those who:
Find it hard to understand speech, particularly in noisy situations.
Have a family history of cognitive issues.
Want to take charge of their health and well-being.
Worry about possible cognitive decline.
Cognitive screening with Cognivue Thrive at Hoffman Audiology
World-Class Technology to Meet Your Needs
We use modern technology, including Cognivue Thrive, to deliver accurate and detailed assessments. Our methods are based on proven research, highlighting the link between hearing and cognitive health.
All our equipment is checked and calibrated yearly to meet industry standards, ensuring reliable and accurate test results. We test every patient in a soundproof booth, so external noise doesn’t affect the outcomes.
As a practice heavily involved in the diagnostic assessment of our patients, we have invested in world-class technologies to perform these assessments accurately and timeously.
The Ripple Effects of Hearing Loss: Why Acting Early Makes a Difference
We’ve talked about how hearing loss can affect your cognitive health, but did you know untreated hearing loss impacts much more than just your ability to hear? It can affect many parts of your daily life, including:
Emotional Wellbeing
Living with hearing loss often leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety, or even depression. When communication becomes harder, it’s easy to feel disconnected from others.
Social and Work Connections
Misunderstandings caused by hearing loss can harm relationships with loved ones or make it harder to succeed at work. Over time, this can weaken both personal and professional bonds.
Mental and Physical Fatigue
People with untreated hearing loss often feel exhausted. Straining to hear and make sense of sounds takes a toll on your energy, leading to what’s called listening fatigue. This can leave you feeling drained and less productive.
Strain on Family and Relationships
Hearing loss can cause tension at home. Misunderstandings may leave family members feeling ignored or unimportant. Meanwhile, those with hearing loss may feel frustrated or misunderstood, leading to arguments and stress.
Physical Health Risks
Untreated hearing loss isn’t just frustrating—it’s also linked to health concerns, such as a higher risk of falls. Balance, managed by the inner ear, can be affected. Plus, focusing so much on hearing can reduce your awareness of your surroundings, increasing the chance of accidents.
Empowering You to Take Control of Your Hearing Health
At Hoffman Audiology, we’re dedicated to transforming hearing care. Our comprehensive evaluations uncover not just hearing loss but also balance issues, giving you a clear understanding of your hearing and overall health. We don’t stop at routine tests. We create personalised solutions that improve your hearing and support your cognitive well-being. With expert guidance and compassionate care, we help you take control of your health.