Hearing Services in Wilmington & Southport, NC
Excel Audiology is a full-service, locally owned and operated audiology practice serving Wilmington, Southport, and the surrounding coastal communities of North Carolina. Led by Dr. Jason Rickman, Au.D., our practice offers a comprehensive range of hearing healthcare services — from your first hearing test to ongoing hearing aid care — all under one roof.
We believe every patient deserves expert, personalized hearing care delivered by a Doctor of Audiology who takes the time to truly understand their needs. Whether you’re noticing changes in your hearing for the first time, managing an existing condition, or looking to protect your hearing for the future, we’re here to help.
Diagnostic Hearing Services
Hearing Test
Hearing Test
A comprehensive audiological evaluation is the essential first step in understanding your hearing health. Our hearing tests go far beyond a pass/fail screening — we conduct a full diagnostic battery including pure-tone audiometry, speech testing, tympanometry, and more. Results are reviewed with you in detail, with clear explanations and next steps.
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Audiometric Testing
Audiometric Testing
Advanced diagnostic testing that evaluates your hearing across a full range of frequencies using air conduction, bone conduction, speech audiometry, and acoustic reflex testing. The gold standard for accurate hearing diagnosis.
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Tympanometry
Tympanometry
A quick, painless test that measures the function of your eardrum and middle ear system. Essential for identifying fluid behind the eardrum, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and other middle ear conditions — and for differentiating conductive from sensorineural hearing loss.
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Speech Testing
Speech Testing
Measures how clearly you understand spoken language, not just how loud sounds need to be before you can detect them. Speech scores predict hearing aid benefit, guide device selection, and give a realistic picture of your everyday communication ability.
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Hearing Aid Services
Hearing Aid Fitting
Hearing Aid Fitting
Our hearing aid fitting process is thorough, evidence-based, and centered around real ear measurement verification. We don't simply hand you a device and program it to an algorithm — we verify that your hearing aids are delivering exactly the right amplification for your unique ear anatomy and prescription.
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Real Ear Measurement
Real Ear Measurement
The gold standard for hearing aid fitting verification. Using a probe microphone placed in your ear canal, we measure what your hearing aids are actually delivering — at every frequency — and adjust programming until measurements match your prescription targets precisely. Included as standard at every Excel Audiology fitting.
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Hearing Aid Repair
Hearing Aid Repair
Professional diagnosis and repair of all major hearing aid brands. Many common issues — clogged receivers, wax guard blockage, receiver wire replacement, feedback problems — are resolved in a single in-office visit. For manufacturer-level repairs, we manage the process on your behalf and provide loaner devices while yours are being serviced.
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Loaner Hearing Aids
Loaner Hearing Aids
When your hearing aids need to go to the manufacturer for repair, we provide loaner devices so your daily life is not disrupted. You shouldn't have to go without hearing while waiting for a repair turnaround.
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Free Hearing Aid Cleaning
Free Hearing Aid Cleaning
We offer complimentary professional hearing aid cleaning for all patients — regardless of where devices were purchased. Regular cleaning prevents the most common causes of hearing aid malfunction and extends device lifespan. We recommend a professional cleaning every 3–6 months.
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Hearing Aid Batteries
Hearing Aid Batteries
Guidance on disposable zinc-air batteries and rechargeable systems — everything you need to keep your devices powered and performing. We carry batteries at both locations and can help you decide whether a rechargeable upgrade makes sense for your lifestyle.
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Tinnitus & Earwax Services
Tinnitus Treatment
Tinnitus Treatment
If you experience ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other phantom sounds in your ears, you don't have to just live with it. We provide comprehensive tinnitus evaluations — including tinnitus pitch and loudness matching and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory — and offer evidence-based management strategies including hearing aids with tinnitus programs, sound therapy, and counseling.
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Earwax Removal
Earwax Removal
Safe, professional cerumen removal for patients experiencing earwax impaction. We use appropriate tools and direct visualization — not cotton swabs — to clear blocked ear canals and restore clear hearing. A common and easily corrected cause of sudden muffled hearing.
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Hearing Protection Services
Hearing Protection
Hearing Protection
Custom-fit hearing protection made from precise ear impressions. Far superior to generic foam earplugs in fit, comfort, consistency, and long-term durability. We offer custom protection for noise, sleep, and swimming, as well as specialized options for specific activities.
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Occupational Noise Exposure
Occupational Noise Exposure
Baseline and annual audiometric testing and custom hearing protection for workers in noise-hazardous industries. We help individuals and employers address OSHA hearing conservation requirements and protect workers from preventable noise-induced hearing loss.
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Hearing Protection for Shooting
Hearing Protection for Shooting
Custom passive and electronic hearing protection for hunters, sport shooters, and range users. Electronic options amplify ambient sounds while instantaneously blocking damaging impulse noise — so you stay aware without sacrificing protection.
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Hearing Protection for Musicians
Hearing Protection for Musicians
Flat-attenuation musician earplugs designed to reduce all frequencies equally, preserving the tonal balance of music while protecting against hearing damage. Also available: custom in-ear monitor (IEM) fittings for professional performers.
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Custom Earplugs
Custom Earplugs
Custom earplugs for every lifestyle: noise protection, sleep, swimming, and more. Made from precise ear impressions for superior fit, comfort, and performance compared to any off-the-shelf option.
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Why Patients Choose Excel Audiology
- Audiologist-led care. Dr. Jason Rickman, Au.D. is a Doctor of Audiology — a licensed clinical specialist in hearing disorders. Every evaluation, fitting, and treatment recommendation is made with your health as the priority.
- Real ear measurement at every fitting. We use objective, evidence-based verification at every hearing aid fitting — a standard that fewer than a third of U.S. hearing aid providers meet.
- Truly independent practice. We are locally owned and not affiliated with any hearing aid manufacturer or national retail chain. That means unbiased recommendations and a genuinely wide selection of technology options.
- Two convenient locations. We serve coastal North Carolina from our offices in Wilmington and Southport, with the same high standard of care at both sites.
- Complete, ongoing care. We’re with you from your first evaluation through every follow-up, repair, cleaning, and update — for the life of your hearing health.
Request your appointment today!
- Wilmington: (910) 399-3075
- Southport: (910) 387-9015