Hearing Tests in Burlington, Ontario

Comprehensive hearing assessments with clear answers and personalized next steps

Are people starting to sound as though they are mumbling? Is it harder to follow conversation in restaurants, meetings, or family gatherings? Are you turning up the television, experiencing tinnitus, or feeling exhausted from trying to listen?

A comprehensive hearing test can help you understand what is happening.

At Empathy Hearing Clinic, adult hearing assessments are completed by Jennifer Candundo, an audiologist who was born with hearing loss and wears hearing aids herself. Your appointment is unhurried, respectful, and focused on the listening concerns that affect your real life.

Signs it may be time for a hearing test

Hearing changes can be gradual, and they are not always obvious at first. Consider booking an assessment if you notice any of the following:

• Speech sounds unclear, especially when there is background noise.

• You frequently ask people to repeat themselves.

• You have difficulty following group conversations or meetings.

• You turn the television, radio, or phone volume higher.

• You rely on watching faces or reading captions more than before.

• Telephone conversations have become difficult.

• You experience ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears.

• One ear seems better than the other.

• You feel listening fatigue or begin withdrawing from conversation.

• A family member, physician, or employer has suggested testing.

• You have a history of noise exposure, ear disease, certain medical conditions, or medications that may affect hearing.

You do not need to wait until hearing difficulty is severe. A baseline assessment can document your current hearing and make future changes easier to identify.

What happens during an adult hearing test?

Your assessment is tailored to your concerns and clinical needs. A typical appointment may include:

1. Conversation and hearing-health history

We begin by discussing what you have noticed, when it started, which situations are most difficult, and how hearing affects your communication, work, relationships, and daily life. We also review relevant ear and medical history, tinnitus, dizziness, noise exposure, family history, and previous hearing-aid use.

2. Examination of the ears

Jennifer examines the ear canals and eardrums to look for wax, irritation, infection-related concerns, or other factors that may influence testing or require follow-up.

3. Middle-ear testing when indicated

Tympanometry and related measures may be used to assess how the eardrum and middle ear are functioning. This can help identify findings such as pressure differences or reduced eardrum mobility.

4. Pure-tone testing

You listen for a range of tones through earphones and, when appropriate, a bone-conduction device. This identifies the softest sounds you can hear across important frequencies and helps determine the type and degree of hearing loss.

5. Speech testing

Speech measures provide information about how softly you can detect speech and how clearly you can understand words at an appropriate listening level. Additional testing may be considered depending on your concerns.

6. Results and recommendations

Jennifer explains the audiogram and other findings in plain language. You will have time to ask questions and discuss what the results mean for the situations that matter to you.

What will my results tell me?

A hearing assessment can help determine:

• Whether hearing is within the expected range or hearing loss is present

• Whether one or both ears are affected

• The degree and pattern of any hearing loss

• Whether the findings suggest outer-, middle-, or inner-ear involvement

• How clearly speech is understood under the test conditions

• Whether medical or ENT follow-up should be considered

• Whether hearing aids, communication strategies, monitoring, or other support may help

An audiogram is important, but it does not tell the whole story by itself. We connect the test findings to your communication needs, because the same hearing levels can affect two people differently.

What happens if hearing loss is found?

Finding hearing loss does not mean you will be pressured to purchase hearing aids. The next step depends on the degree and type of loss, your communication needs, ear health, personal goals, and readiness.

Recommendations may include:

• Monitoring your hearing at an appropriate interval

• Practical communication and listening strategies

• Referral to a family physician, nurse practitioner, or ear, nose and throat specialist when indicated

• Earwax management

• A hearing-aid consultation and discussion of suitable options

• Assistive listening technology or remote microphone options

• Tinnitus counselling or other referrals based on your needs

You are part of every decision. The purpose of the assessment is to give you useful information and appropriate choices.

When hearing changes need urgent medical attention

A sudden decrease in hearing in one or both ears can be time-sensitive, particularly when it develops over hours or a few days. New one-sided hearing loss, sudden tinnitus, severe dizziness, facial weakness, ear drainage, significant ear pain, or other acute neurological symptoms also require prompt medical assessment.

If you experience a sudden or rapidly changing hearing problem, contact a physician, nurse practitioner, urgent care clinic, or emergency department promptly. Do not wait for a routine hearing appointment if urgent symptoms are present.

Why choose Empathy Hearing Clinic?

• Your assessment is performed by an audiologist.

• Jennifer understands hearing loss both clinically and personally.

• Appointments focus on your real-world concerns, not only the test numbers.

• Results are explained clearly, with time for questions.

• Recommendations are individualized and never one-size-fits-all.

• The clinic provides continuity from testing to hearing aids and follow-up care when needed.

• The Burlington location serves adults from Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Halton Region.

Frequently asked questions about adult hearing tests

How long does an adult hearing test take?

Appointment length depends on your history and the tests required. Allowing enough time for discussion, testing, and a clear review of results is important. The clinic can confirm the expected appointment length when you book.

Do hearing tests hurt?

No. Standard hearing tests are non-invasive. You will respond to soft sounds and speech, and some tests use gentle changes in air pressure in the ear canal. Tell Jennifer if you have pain, significant sound sensitivity, or concerns before testing begins.

Should I have my hearing checked even if I am not sure there is a problem?

Yes. A baseline hearing test can be useful if you are noticing subtle changes, have risk factors such as noise exposure, or want to document your hearing for future comparison. Testing is also appropriate when family members notice difficulty before you do.

Can earwax affect a hearing test?

Yes. Significant wax blockage can reduce hearing or prevent certain tests from being completed accurately. Jennifer will examine your ears first and discuss whether wax removal should occur before or as part of your care plan.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Bring any previous hearing-test results, a list of relevant medications or medical information, your hearing aids if you use them, and details of insurance or third-party forms if applicable. You are welcome to bring a family member or support person.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes. A family member or trusted support person can help describe communication concerns, listen to the results, and take part in planning if you wish.

Will I receive a copy of my hearing-test results?

Your results will be reviewed with you and results will be e-mailed to you following the assessment and sent to any other clinicians that you request.

Does a hearing test automatically mean I need hearing aids?

No. Some people have hearing within the expected range, a mild loss that is monitored, a condition requiring medical follow-up, or communication needs that can initially be addressed with strategies. Recommendations are based on your results and goals.

How often should adults have a hearing test?

The right interval depends on age, symptoms, hearing levels, noise exposure, medical history, and whether you use hearing aids. Book sooner whenever you notice a change, one ear becomes different from the other, tinnitus develops, or communication becomes more difficult.

Are hearing tests covered by OHIP?

Private audiology clinic services are not generally paid for by OHIP. Coverage may be available through private insurance, workplace benefits, WSIB, Veterans Affairs Canada, or other third-party programs depending on eligibility. Contact the clinic or your plan for current details.

Book an adult hearing test in Burlington

Understanding your hearing is the first step toward easier communication. If you are concerned about your hearing, tinnitus, listening fatigue, or changes noticed by family, we would be happy to help.

Empathy Hearing Clinic is located at 1160 Blair Road, Unit 1A, Burlington, Ontario. The clinic serves adults throughout Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Halton Region.