Hearing keeps us connected to people and the world around us. Timely testing protects that connection. Whether it’s a pediatric hearing test to support a child’s speech and learning, an adult hearing test to keep conversations clear and work safe  or specialized tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing, the right care at the right time makes a lasting difference.

At Tanner Health, we have hearing tests for children and adults, including tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing, simple and comfortable. We’re here with friendly experts, clear guidance and practical solutions that fit your life.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss happens when the ear or the pathways that process sound don’t detect or interpret sound effectively. It can affect one or both ears and ranges from mild to profound.

• Conductive: Problems in the outer or middle ear that block sound transmission.
• Sensorineural: Changes in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve.
• Mixed: A combination of conductive and sensorineural components.

In kids, common causes include middle ear fluid, frequent ear infections, congenital conditions, genetics, loud noise, and certain medications. In adults, age-related changes, noise exposure, earwax buildup, infections, injuries and chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease are frequent contributors.

Signs can include difficulty following conversation, frequent requests for repetition, turning up the TV, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), muffled sound, a feeling of fullness and in children, delayed speech or seeming inattentive in noise. If any of this sounds familiar, we’ll guide you to a tailored audiology examination and the next best step.

Why hearing loss and testing matter

Regular evaluations support development, communication and safety at every age. For children, hearing fuels language, classroom performance and social engagement. For adults, it supports productivity, relationships and independence.

Early testing can spot treatable issues like earwax, infections or middle ear fluid. It also informs protection strategies for noise and guides timely intervention—medical care, hearing technology, or therapy—that can improve communication and may slow further decline. Because hearing can reflect overall health, changes may also point to conditions involving circulation or nerves.

Key hearing tests for children and adults

Tympanometry: A quick, noninvasive measure of how the eardrum moves with gentle air pressure. It helps detect middle ear fluid, eustachian tube dysfunction, and eardrum perforations. We often pair tympanometry with an ear exam and pure-tone testing for a complete picture.

Acoustic Reflex Testing: Measures the stapedius muscle’s reflex in response to brief, louder sounds. Acoustic reflex results provide insight into the middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve and brainstem pathways — useful when confirming conductive problems or evaluating suspected sensorineural changes.

Tests by Age Group:

• Teens and adults: Pure-tone audiometry, speech understanding, tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, OAEs and sometimes auditory brainstem response (ABR) to assess hearing sensitivity and neural pathways.

Not sure where to start or how does a hearing work? During your audiology examination, we’ll explain every step in plain language and choose the right combination of tests for you or your child.

Hearing Loss and Testing Frequently Asked Questions

How often should hearing be tested?
Children should follow pediatric screening schedules, with prompt evaluation if speech, learning or behavior concerns arise. Adults without symptoms may consider an audiology examination every three to five years. Those over 50 — or anyone with noise exposure, tinnitus, sudden changes or medical risk factors benefit from annual checks.

Are tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests uncomfortable?
Both are brief and generally well tolerated. Tympanometry uses a gentle change in ear canal pressure. Acoustic reflex testing uses short sound bursts. Most patients, including children, remain comfortable throughout.

What happens after an abnormal result?
We review your results, complete an ear exam and discuss next steps, which may include treatment for infections or earwax, additional diagnostics like OAEs or ABR , or support from our hearing aid clinic. Our goal is simple: clearer hearing and better communication.