Understand the Factors Affecting Your Ear and Hearing Health
Changes in hearing, ringing in the ears, earwax buildup and difficulty understanding speech can have several possible causes. A detailed ear-health assessment helps determine what may be affecting your hearing and whether testing, cleaning, hearing-aid care or medical referral is the appropriate next step.
At Colorado Hearing in Montrose, Colorado, Brian Bennett, BC-HIS, provides adult ear-health assessments using video otoscopy, tympanometry and calibrated hearing-testing equipment. Call 970-318-2010 to schedule an appointment.
What Does an Ear-Health Assessment Include?
Your ears do not function separately from the rest of your health. An assessment begins with a conversation about your symptoms, hearing concerns and factors that may affect the ears or hearing system.
Depending on your needs, the assessment may include:
- A review of your ear- and hearing-health history
- Discussion of current symptoms and communication difficulties
- Review of occupational, recreational or military noise exposure
- Discussion of medications or other possible toxin exposure
- Review of relevant family and genetic hearing history
- Discussion of jaw, dental, sinus, neck or cranial concerns that may affect symptoms
- Visual examination of the outer ear
- Video otoscopy of the ear canal and eardrum
- Tympanometry to evaluate eardrum and middle-ear response
This information helps Brian Bennett determine whether further hearing testing, ear cleaning, hearing-aid care or referral to another provider may be appropriate.
Reasons to Schedule an Ear-Health Visit
An ear-health assessment may be helpful if you experience:
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Ringing, buzzing or other tinnitus sounds
- A blocked or full sensation in the ear
- Visible or suspected earwax buildup
- Changes following noise exposure
- Hearing aids that no longer sound clear or fit comfortably
- A noticeable difference between your ears
- Questions about whether hearing testing is appropriate
These symptoms do not always indicate the same condition. Examining the ears and reviewing your history provides a clearer starting point.
Video Otoscopy and Ear Canal Examination
Video otoscopy provides a magnified view of the ear canal and eardrum. Patients can see the images during the visit, making it easier to understand whether wax, irritation or another visible concern may be affecting the ear.
If excessive wax is blocking the canal or interfering with hearing-aid performance, Brian Bennett may recommend professional ear cleaning. If the examination shows a concern outside the clinic’s scope, an appropriate medical referral will be recommended.
Tympanometry and Middle-Ear Function
Tympanometry evaluates how the eardrum responds to controlled changes in air pressure. This can provide useful information about eardrum mobility and middle-ear function.
Tympanometry does not replace a complete hearing test. When additional information is needed, Brian Bennett may recommend a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Noise, Medications and Other Hearing-Health Factors
Hearing changes may be associated with repeated noise exposure, certain medications, health history or inherited factors. Providing a complete history helps Brian Bennett recognize patterns and determine whether monitoring, testing or referral is appropriate.
Learn more about preventing noise-induced hearing loss and medication-related or chemically compromised hearing changes.
Ear Health and Hearing-Aid Performance
Earwax, changes in the ear canal and changes in hearing can all affect how hearing aids fit and perform. If your devices have become uncomfortable, weak or difficult to understand, the first step may be examining your ears rather than immediately replacing the hearing aids.
When the ears are clear and healthy enough for testing, Brian Bennett can evaluate whether the devices need cleaning, adjustment, reprogramming or a complete refitting. Learn more about hearing-aid repair and reprogramming.
Experienced Adult Hearing Care in Montrose
Brian Bennett is a Board Certified Hearing Specialist and Colorado-licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser who has served adults in Montrose since 2010. He has completed more than 2,500 hearing evaluations and more than 5,000 ear-cleaning appointments.
At Colorado Hearing, patients receive clear explanations of their findings, answers to their questions and guidance about the appropriate next step. With patient permission, hearing-test results can also be shared with a primary care provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Health
Is an ear-health assessment the same as a hearing test?
No. An ear-health assessment reviews your symptoms, history, outer ears, ear canals and middle-ear response. A comprehensive hearing evaluation includes additional testing of hearing thresholds and speech understanding.
Can earwax affect my hearing?
Yes. Excessive or impacted wax can block sound, cause a plugged sensation and interfere with hearing-aid performance. An examination can determine whether professional cleaning is appropriate.
Can medications affect hearing?
Some medications and chemical exposures may be associated with hearing or balance changes. Do not stop taking prescribed medication without speaking with the prescribing provider. Brian Bennett can document hearing concerns and recommend medical follow-up when appropriate.
Can dental, jaw or neck problems contribute to ear symptoms?
Some patients report ear-related symptoms alongside jaw, dental, sinus or neck concerns. Brian Bennett will review relevant history and recommend referral when a concern should be evaluated by another provider.
What happens if a medical concern is identified?
If your symptoms or examination indicate that medical evaluation should come first, Brian Bennett will recommend an appropriate referral. Review our guidance on when not to have a hearing test.
Schedule an Ear-Health Assessment
If you have questions about your ears, hearing or hearing-aid performance, an assessment can help identify the appropriate next step. Call Colorado Hearing at 970-318-2010 to schedule an ear-health visit in Montrose, Colorado.