Hearing Tests in Wilmington & Southport, NC
A hearing test is the single most important first step in understanding your hearing health. Whether you’ve noticed changes in your hearing, been told by a family member that you seem to struggle, or simply want a baseline evaluation, a professional hearing test at Excel Audiology gives you the answers you need.
At Excel Audiology, Dr. Jason Rickman, Au.D. conducts thorough, comprehensive hearing evaluations using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Our goal is not just to tell you whether you have hearing loss — but to give you a complete picture of your auditory health and guide you through the best options for your situation.
Why Hearing Tests Matter
Hearing loss is one of the most undertreated conditions in the United States. Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, yet the average person waits nearly seven years from the time they first notice changes before seeking help.
The longer hearing loss goes untreated, the harder it becomes for the brain to process sound. Early testing and intervention leads to significantly better outcomes — including better hearing aid adaptation and reduced risk of related health consequences such as cognitive decline, social isolation, and depression.
A hearing test is painless, non-invasive, and takes about an hour. There is no reason to wait.
Who Should Get a Hearing Test?
We recommend a hearing evaluation for anyone who:
- Frequently asks others to repeat themselves
- Has difficulty following conversations in noisy environments
- Turns the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
- Experiences ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Has a family history of hearing loss
- Has been exposed to loud noise at work or recreationally
- Is 50 years of age or older (annual screening recommended)
- Has experienced a sudden or rapid change in hearing
- Has a history of ear infections, ear surgeries, or head trauma
- Is experiencing dizziness or balance problems
Children and adults of all ages can benefit from hearing evaluations. Early detection in children is particularly critical for speech and language development.
What Happens During a Hearing Evaluation?
A comprehensive hearing test at Excel Audiology is not a simple pass/fail screening. It is a full diagnostic evaluation that includes multiple components:
Otoscopy
We begin with a visual inspection of your outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum using an otoscope. This helps us identify any visible obstructions, earwax buildup, eardrum abnormalities, or signs of infection before testing begins.
Tympanometry
A small probe is placed in the ear canal to measure how your eardrum and middle ear system respond to changes in air pressure. This test evaluates middle ear function and can detect fluid behind the eardrum, eardrum perforations, and Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Pure-Tone Audiometry
You’ll listen to a series of tones at varying pitches and volumes through headphones (air conduction) and through a bone conduction device placed behind the ear. This tells us the softest sounds you can hear at each frequency, mapping out your hearing thresholds across the full range of human hearing. Results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram.
Speech Audiometry
Rather than just testing tones, we also test how well you understand speech. This includes:
- Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) — the softest level at which you can understand simple words
- Word Recognition Score (WRS) — how accurately you can repeat back words at a comfortable listening level
Speech scores are critical for predicting hearing aid benefit and counseling patients about realistic expectations.
Understanding Your Audiogram
After testing, Dr. Rickman will review your audiogram with you in detail. Your audiogram maps out:
Type of Hearing Loss
Conductive, sensorineural, or mixed
Degree of Hearing Loss
Normal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or profound
Configuration
Which frequencies are most affected (e.g., high-frequency loss is common with age and noise exposure)
Symmetry
Whether both ears are affected equally
This information shapes every recommendation we make, from whether hearing aids are appropriate to what style and technology level would serve you best.
After Your Hearing Test
At the end of your evaluation, Dr. Rickman will:
- Review your results with you clearly and thoroughly
- Answer all of your questions
- Discuss whether hearing aids or other intervention is appropriate
- Provide a referral to a physician or ENT specialist if a medical cause is identified
- Outline next steps and options, with no pressure or rush
If hearing aids are appropriate, we can often begin the selection and fitting process at a follow-up appointment.
How Often Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?
- Adults under 50 with no concerns — every 3–5 years
- Adults 50 and older — annually or every other year
- Individuals with known hearing loss — annually, to monitor for changes and update hearing aid programming
- Anyone with occupational noise exposure — annually as part of an occupational hearing conservation program
- After sudden changes in hearing — immediately
Hearing Tests for Wilmington & Southport, NC Residents
Excel Audiology serves patients throughout coastal North Carolina, including Wilmington, Southport, Leland, Brunswick County, and surrounding communities. Both of our locations are equipped with audiometric testing suites and the latest diagnostic technology.
- Wilmington: (910) 399-3075
- Southport: (910) 387-9015
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a hearing test hurt?
Not at all. Hearing tests are completely painless and non-invasive. Most patients find them straightforward and even interesting.
How long does a hearing test take?
A comprehensive evaluation typically takes 45–60 minutes, including the consultation and review of results.
Do I need a referral to get a hearing test?
No referral is needed to schedule a hearing evaluation at Excel Audiology. Simply call our office or request an appointment online.
Will my insurance cover a hearing test?
Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover diagnostic hearing evaluations when medically indicated. Contact our office and we can help verify your benefits before your appointment.
What’s the difference between a hearing screening and a comprehensive hearing test?
A hearing screening (like those done at school or a health fair) is a quick pass/fail test at a few frequencies. A comprehensive hearing evaluation is a full diagnostic battery that tells us exactly what type and degree of hearing loss you have, and why — which is essential for guiding treatment.