- Hearing tests and hearing evaluations are in-office exams that measure how well you hear sounds and understand speech.
- A clear result shows the type and degree of hearing loss, plus what it means for daily life, so your audiologist can build the right plan.
- New Leaf Hearing Care offers hearing tests and hearing evaluations in Arvada, CO and Littleton, CO.
Hearing tests and hearing evaluations check how well you hear, catch sounds you might miss, and show where you struggle most. At New Leaf Hearing Care, a hearing evaluation is part of hearing wellness. Better hearing supports brain health, strong relationships, and an active life.
We offer comprehensive hearing tests and hearing evaluations in Arvada, CO and Littleton, CO (formerly Columbine Hearing Care).
No referral is needed to book with us, and nothing about the testing hurts. You leave with an audiogram, a plain-English explanation of what it shows, and a recommendation you can act on.
Signs It's Time to Schedule
Many people wait because they “get by.” That delay can lead to more stress and less connection. Schedule a hearing test if you notice these changes:
- You ask people to repeat words.
- Voices sound soft or unclear.
- Group talk feels hard to follow.
- You turn the TV up higher than others want.
- You feel tired after long talks.
- You avoid restaurants because noise takes over.
- You hear ringing or buzzing that will not settle.
What Each Test Measures
A hearing evaluation is not one quick screen. It is a short series of tests, and each one answers a different question. Your audiologist runs the ones your case history calls for.
Otoscopy. We look into each ear canal and at the eardrum. This is where we catch wax, fluid, or a physical problem blocking sound before any testing starts.
Pure tone air conduction. You wear headphones and press a button when you hear a tone. This maps the softest sound you can hear at each pitch, and it is what draws the shape of your audiogram.
Pure tone bone conduction. A small device behind the ear sends sound straight to the inner ear, bypassing the canal and middle ear. Comparing this with the air conduction result tells us where the loss is coming from, not just how much there is.
Speech testing. We check the softest level at which you can repeat words back, and how clearly you understand words at a comfortable volume. Many people hear tones fine and still struggle with speech, so this often explains the restaurant problem better than the tones do.
Tympanometry. A soft tip in the ear changes the air pressure slightly for a few seconds and measures how your eardrum moves. It tells us how the middle ear is working, including fluid or pressure issues.
What Happens During Your Visit
Your appointment starts with a short talk. We ask what you hear, what you miss, and what settings feel hardest. We also review health history. This includes noise exposure, ear problems, and past hearing care.
Next, we look in your ears. This check helps spot issues that block sound, like wax.
Then we complete hearing tests in a quiet space. You respond to tones and speech.
Last, we review your results in plain words. You get time to ask questions, so you feel sure about the plan.
How Long the Appointment Takes
Plan on one visit, start to finish, with your results in hand before you leave. The testing itself is the shorter half; the case history at the start and the results conversation at the end take the rest. A recheck for an established patient is quicker than a first full evaluation.
How to Read Your Audiogram
Your audiogram is a single chart, and once you know what the two directions mean it is easy to follow.
Left to right is pitch, from low sounds to high. Deep voices and traffic noise sit on the left. Children's voices and the consonants that make speech clear sit on the right.
Top to bottom is loudness. The higher a mark sits on the chart, the softer the sound you could hear. Marks near the top mean normal hearing at that pitch. The further down a mark drops, the louder that pitch has to be before it reaches you.
Each ear gets its own symbol, so you can see whether the two ears match. A result that slopes down toward the right is the most common pattern we see. It means low pitches still come through, so speech sounds present, but the high-pitch consonants are missing. That is why people describe it as “I can hear you, I just can't understand you.”
We walk through your chart with you at the appointment and mark where normal conversation, a whisper, and everyday sounds fall on it, so you can see exactly what you are and are not catching.
What Your Results Can Reveal
Hearing tests can show three key details.
Level of hearing loss
Your results show how much sound you need to hear speech and everyday noise.
Type of hearing loss
Your results can point to where the problem starts. That detail helps guide treatment.
Next step that fits your life
Your plan can include hearing aids, assistive devices, custom hearing protection, or training that improves how you follow speech.
If tinnitus is part of your concern, we can add tinnitus-focused testing and counseling.
Who Should Be Tested Every Year
Book an evaluation every year if you are over 60, if you have worked or played around loud noise, if you have ringing in your ears, or if you already wear hearing aids. Hearing changes slowly, and a yearly baseline is what makes a change visible.
Every two to three years is enough for adults under 60 with no symptoms and no noise exposure.
Call us right away, rather than waiting for an appointment slot, if hearing drops suddenly in one ear, or if you have pain, drainage, or dizziness with the change. Sudden one-sided hearing loss is treated as urgent.
Why an Audiologist Matters
Phone apps and online screens do not give the full picture. They cannot check your ears. They do not give a clinical result you can trust. An audiologist can also spot warning signs that need medical care. If you want a real answer, schedule hearing tests with a licensed team.
If you have already taken an at-home screen, our page on online hearing tests explains what those results can and cannot tell you.
Hearing Tests in Arvada and Littleton, CO
Same testing protocol, same audiologists, same-day results at either office. Book whichever is easier to reach.
- Arvada, CO — 8721 Wadsworth Blvd, Suite C, Arvada, CO 80003. Phone (303) 639-5323. Just off Wadsworth Blvd next to Old Chicago, with parking on site. Open Mon-Thu 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Fri 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Littleton, CO — 5808 S Rapp St, Suite 102, Littleton, CO 80120. Phone (720) 689-7989. Near downtown Littleton, with parking on site. Open Mon-Thu 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Fri 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Ready to find out where your hearing stands? Schedule a hearing evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hearing test?
A hearing test, or hearing evaluation, is an in-office exam that measures what sounds you hear and how well you understand speech. It combines a look in the ear, tone testing by air and bone, speech testing, and a middle-ear check, and it produces an audiogram you take away with you.
How long does a hearing test take?
One appointment, including your case history at the start and the results discussion at the end. The testing itself is roughly half of that. A recheck for an established patient is shorter.
Does a hearing test hurt?
No. You listen to tones and repeat words through headphones. Tympanometry adds a few seconds of light air pressure per ear, which feels like a small change in altitude and stops as soon as the reading is done. Nothing enters the ear beyond the outer canal.
Do I need a referral to get a hearing test?
Not to book with us. You can schedule directly. Some insurance plans require a physician referral for the visit to be covered, so it is worth one call to your plan first.
Is a hearing test covered by insurance?
Many medical plans cover a diagnostic hearing evaluation when there is a documented hearing concern. Coverage for hearing aids themselves is a separate question and varies widely by plan. Our insurance page has the details.
How often should I be tested?
Every year if you are over 60, have noise exposure, have tinnitus, or already wear hearing aids. Every two to three years for adults under 60 with no risk factors and no symptoms. Right away if hearing changes suddenly in one ear.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Your insurance card, a list of your medications, any previous audiograms you have, and someone who talks with you regularly. If you wear hearing aids now, bring them and the charger.
Can children be tested here?
We test adults and older children at both offices. Call us to talk through your child's age and what they will be asked to do before you book.
Schedule A Hearing Test In Colorado
Hearing changes can pull you out of conversations and away from the moments you care about. A professional hearing test gives you a clear picture and a next step you can act on.
Schedule with New Leaf Hearing Care in Arvada or Littleton, CO.
We'll walk you through each step, explain your results, and help you choose the next step that fits your goals. Book your appointment today.