Hearing Screenings
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers the following statement about hearing screenings:
Hearing screening tests provide a quick and cost effective way to separate people into two groups: a pass group and a fail group. Those who pass hearing screening are presumed to have no hearing loss. Those who fail are in need of an in-depth evaluation by an audiologist and may also need follow-up care from other professionals.
Hearing screening occurs from birth throughout the adult years when requested, when conditions occur that increase risk for hearing loss, or when mandated by state and local laws or practices.
It is recommended that all hearing screening programs be conducted under the supervision of an audiologist holding the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
We offer hearing screenings for every age group
As a public service, we offer hearing screenings to the community. They are performed by an audiologist, take about 15 minutes to complete, and are a painless procedure. For adults (anyone 21 and older) there is no cost for a hearing screening with us.
We also offer professional hearing screenings for
- Newborns and infants
- Older infants and toddlers
- Preschoolers
- School-age children and adolescents (5-18 years of age)
- To learn more about risk factors and screening techniques for these populations, click here.
You're also welcome to call one of our clinics for more information. For our locations and phone numbers, click here.
Why should adults get their hearing screened?
Here's what ASHA has to say about adult hearing screenings
Hearing loss is a prevalent chronic condition among adults of all ages. It is recognized that hearing loss increases as a function of age, especially for frequencies at 2000 Hz and above. However, adults tend to ignore its effects, delay their decision to seek audiologic services, and tend to put off recommended treatments.
While more than 30% of people over 65 have some type or hearing loss, 14% of those between 45 and 64 have hearing loss. Close to 8 million people between the ages of 18 and 44 have hearing loss.
Adult hearing screening programs are considered voluntary. It is recommended, however, that adults be screened at least every decade through age 50 and at 3-year intervals thereafter.
Now is the time for a hearing screening!
We offer two ways for adults to plan their personal, no-cost, hearing screening at any one of our three clinics.
- Walk-in hours for hearing screenings at all three offices, no scheduling required
- Homewood: 8:30A - 11:30A, the second Tuesday of each month
- Palos Hills: 8:30A - 11:30A, the third Monday of each month staring August 2, 2010
- Romeoville: 2:00P - 4:30P, the first Wednesday of each month starting September 1, 2010
- If you plan to take advantage of our walk-in hours, it would be very helpful to let us know. To do this, please send an email to the office you plan to visit by clicking on the office location above and giving us an idea of when you are planning to come in. Thanks!
- Scheduled screenings
If our walk-in hours aren't convenient for you — or you'd like to schedule a hearing screening for someone younger than 21 years of age — please call the office that is closest to you and we'll schedule a time that is convenient for you. For our locations and phone numbers, click here.