Hearing Evaluation

At Sonoran ENTA, our ENT physicians and doctors of audiology collaborate closely to diagnose and manage hearing loss—a condition affecting approximately 20% of Americans.

A comprehensive hearing evaluation includes:

• Otoscopy

• Tympanometry & Acoustic Reflex Testing

• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

• Pure Tone Audiometry

• Speech Perception Testing

• Hearing-in-Noise Assessment

These tests evaluate how well your ears detect sound and how well your brain processes it. A full picture of your auditory system allows us to tailor the most effective treatment plan.

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Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss is one of the most common ear conditions and can significantly impact communication, mental health, and overall quality of life.

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Types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural: Caused by inner ear or nerve damage; usually permanent

• Conductive: Caused by blockages (earwax, fluid, ruptured eardrum); often treatable

• Mixed:  Both sensorineural and conductive components existing

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Common causes include:

• Aging

• Noise exposure (short loud bursts or prolonged exposure)

• Illness or genetic factors

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1 in 3 adults aged 65–74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those over 75 are affected. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal, depression, and even cognitive decline leading to dementia. There have been landmark studies regarding the connection between hearing loss and dementia. 

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• Article: Hearing Loss and Dementia

Hearing Aid Options

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Hearing Aids 

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The Doctors of Audiology at Sonoran Ear, Nose, Throat, and Audiology have many years of experience in working with the latest in hearing aid technology. We work with a variety of high-quality hearing aid manufacturers with the goal of finding the best hearing solution for our patients.

 

Our audiologists sell Phonak, Oticon, Signia, ReSound, Widex, and Starkey hearing aids. In addition to working with the best technology, we strive to provide a hearing aid experience that is tailored for the individual. Time is spent selecting the proper product and ensuring that the device is fit based on the individual hearing loss. We use state-of-the-art technology to verify that the fitting meets your needs.

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Earlens Hearing System

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Earlens is a revolutionary and novel hearing solution that directly vibrates the eardrum, bypassing limitations of traditional acoustic hearing aids.  This system provides a broader frequency range and more natural sound quality, particularly in complex listening environments including background noises.

 

Indicated For:

• Patients with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss looking for the most advanced hearing aid option.

• Individuals seeking superior sound fidelity, particularly in music or noisy environments

 

Benefits:

• Direct eardrum stimulation = richer, fuller sound

• Broader frequency range than conventional hearing aids

• Better clarity in speech and improved music appreciation

• Custom-fit lens and non-surgical, physician-assisted fitting

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Our Audiology team works closely with you and our ENT physicians to determine if you are a candidate and ensure the best fit and performance.

 

Osseo-integrated Implantable Hearing Devices (e.g., Baha®, Ponto®, Osia)

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These bone-anchored devices transmit sound vibrations through the skull directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer or middle ear.  They are a surgical solution that may be recommended and performed by your ENT physician for specific types of hearing loss.

Indicated For:

• Patients with chronic conductive hearing loss

• Individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD)

• Patients who cannot wear traditional hearing aids due to ear infections or malformations or cannot tolerate the occlusive affects of traditional hearing aids

Benefits:

• Improved clarity without using the ear canal

• Effective for patients with structural ear issues

• Non-occluding to the ear canal = open-ear solution

• Can be worn on a softband for testing prior to surgery

 

Cochlear Implants

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When a patient has severe to profound hearing loss and has tried hearing aids, but still needs more clarity, Cochlear Implants (CI) can provide the clarity they are missing. Our audiologists have experience working with cochlear implants and can perform evaluations to determine candidacy. The ENTA physicians and audiologists will recommend whether candidacy testing is appropriate based on results from a hearing test.

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The patient's hearing aids (or devices provided by the clinic) are verified for volume and gain adjustments to ensure they are meeting prescriptive targets. The patient then undergoes speech testing in a variety of listening situations while wearing the hearing aids. The audiologist will determine whether a patient is a candidate for a Cochlear Implant based on their performance with the speech testing. The testing is typically performed during two separate appointments. If a patient qualifies as a Cochlear Implant candidate, they will then work with the audiologist for their Cochlear Implant journey. Furthermore, if you currently have a CI and need reprogramming (mapping), our office can also provide these routine services.

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Our team provides guidance through the entire process:  trial, surgical consultation, and activation to ensure the best possible outcome.

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Sonoran Audiology

Sonoran Ear, Nose, Throat, and Audiology have partnered with Dr. Kester and her new office, Sonoran Audiology, to expand the services we can provide to the Oro Valley community, and surrounding area.

 

Tinnitus Evaluation & Treatment

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is assessed starting with a detailed symptom history, followed by a diagnostic audiogram.

Because tinnitus can have various causes—including earwax, fluid, TMJ issues, or neurological factors—our team-based approach ensures a thorough and personalized evaluation.

Treatment options may include:

• Earwax removal

• Treatment of middle ear fluid

• TMJ management

• Medication

• Sound therapy or masking

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Balance & Dizziness Disorders

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Dizziness related to the ears (i.e., vestibular system) includes symptoms such as:

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• Vertigo (spinning sensation) or leering towards one direction

• Common ENT causes:   Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and BPPV (i.e., “crystals or rocks” in the ear)

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Non-ear related (i.e., non-vestibular) balance issues may present as more swaying, lightheadedness, passing out, or trouble walking.    

Systems involved in non-vestibular balance issues include:

• Vision system

• Neurologic system

• Cardiovascular system

• Neck joints

 

ENT Evaluation may include:

• Audiometry (i.e., hearing testing)

• Videonystagmography (VNG), which is in-office balance testing

• Imaging (CT/MRI)

• Lab work

Note:  Avoid medications like Valium, Antivert, or alcohol before VNG testing.   A full list will be provided at the time of scheduling.

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The goal is to rule out vestibular conditions and identify the cause of symptoms so that the right medical or surgical treatment can be started. Diagnosis may require multiple tests and follow-up care—patience and teamwork between you and your provider are key.

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Videonystagmography (VNG) Testing

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At Sonoran Ear, Nose, Throat and Audiology, we offer Videonystagmography (VNG) testing to evaluate patients with dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems. VNG is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that helps us determine whether your symptoms are caused by an inner ear (vestibular) disorder.  This test would be ordered if indicated based on the provider history and initial evaluation in office.

 

What is a Videonystagmography (VNG)?

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VNG testing uses infrared video goggles to track eye movements during a series of simple testings including positional changes and warm/cold air in the ear.   Since your inner ear helps control balance and eye motion, abnormal eye movements can reveal problems within the balance system.

What to Expect:

During the test, you may be asked to:

• Follow visual targets with your eyes

• Lie in different positions to see if dizziness is triggered

• Wear goggles that record your eye movements

• Experience gentle air in the ear canal to stimulate the balance system (caloric testing)

• Note:  Avoid medications like Valium, Antivert, or alcohol before VNG testing.   A full list will be provided at the time of scheduling.

VNG may help in diagnosing:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV; see below)

• Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis

• Meniere’s disease

• Differentiate between peripheral (ear-related) balance disorders versus central (brain-related)