Advanced Diagnostic Testing
ABR, ASSR, DPOAE, and the full diagnostic toolkit — performed by Doctors of Audiology.
Advanced Diagnostic Audiology in Lafayette
A standard hearing test tells us how soft a sound you can detect. Diagnostic testing tells us why you hear the way you do — pinpointing the exact part of the auditory system involved, from the eardrum to the brainstem. ACI Hearing Center offers a complete suite of advanced diagnostic procedures performed by Doctors of Audiology, the same testing typically only available at major medical centers.
We use these tools to evaluate infants, young children, adults who can't reliably respond to traditional testing, candidates for cochlear implants, and patients with complex or unexplained hearing concerns.
What We Offer
ABR — Auditory Brainstem Response
Measures how the auditory nerve and brainstem respond to sound using small sensors placed on the head. Painless, non-invasive, and effective even for sleeping infants. Often used to diagnose hearing loss in newborns and rule out auditory neuropathy or retrocochlear pathology.
ASSR — Auditory Steady-State Response
Frequency-specific threshold estimation that builds on ABR with greater precision. Especially useful for fitting hearing aids on patients who cannot give reliable behavioral responses, including very young children and individuals with developmental disabilities.
DPOAE — Otoacoustic Emissions
A fast, objective test of the inner ear's outer hair cell function. The ear actually produces tiny sounds in response to stimulation — DPOAE measures them. Excellent for screening, monitoring ototoxicity, and diagnosing the location of hearing loss.
Why Choose ACI for Diagnostic Testing?
- Doctors of Audiology — Every diagnostic exam is interpreted by an Au.D. clinician, not a technician.
- All ages welcome — From newborns through seniors, our equipment and protocols accommodate every patient.
- Coordinated care — We work directly with your ENT, primary physician, and surgical teams to share results promptly.
- Cochlear implant candidacy — As partners with Cochlear Americas and Advanced Bionics, we routinely complete the full diagnostic workup needed for implant evaluation.
- 40+ years of experience — Acadiana's longest-running independent hearing center.
When Is Diagnostic Testing Recommended?
- Newborn hearing screening referral or delayed speech development
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Hearing loss with no clear cause
- Dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems
- Tinnitus (ringing) in only one ear
- Cochlear implant evaluation
- Pre-surgical clearance or post-surgical follow-up
- Monitoring hearing during ototoxic medication treatment
- Patients who cannot complete standard behavioral hearing tests