|
Ryan Holden, H.A.D.
|
Jan 14, 2026
When you invest in hearing aids, you’re not just buying a small piece of technology — you’re investing in your ability to connect with people, enjoy conversations, and hear the world clearly again. That’s why it’s so important that your hearing aids are performing exactly the way they’re supposed to.
At Golden State Hearing Aid Center, one of the ways we make sure of that is through Electroacoustic Analysis — a process that measures how your hearing aids are actually working, not just how they sound when we listen to them.
What Is Electroacoustic Analysis?
Electroacoustic Analysis (often shortened to “EAA”) is a way of testing hearing aids using specialized equipment. Instead of relying on our ears alone, we place the hearing aid in a test chamber with a sensitive microphone and run a series of automated tests.
The system measures things like:
Output levels (how loud the hearing aid can get)
Frequency response (how well it amplifies different pitches)
Distortion (unwanted buzzing or static that shouldn’t be there)
Battery drain and internal noise
In short, it’s like running a full diagnostic check — the hearing aid equivalent of plugging your car into a computer at the mechanic’s shop.
Why It’s So Important
You might be surprised to learn that hearing aids can drift out of specification over time. Moisture, earwax, age, or even a hard drop on the floor can cause performance changes that aren’t always obvious.
Sometimes, a hearing aid can sound mostly fine when you do a quick listening check, but still have hidden issues that affect clarity or speech understanding — especially in noise.
That’s where electroacoustic analysis comes in. It gives us a data-backed confirmation that your hearing aids are performing to the manufacturer’s standards.
A Real Example From Our Office
Not long ago, a patient came in frustrated that their hearing aids just didn’t sound as crisp as they used to. Voices seemed muffled, especially when watching TV, and they had started turning up the volume more than usual.
At first, everything looked fine — the microphones were clear, the domes were clean, and there wasn’t any visible damage. When we did a quick listening check, nothing jumped out as obviously wrong.
But when we ran an electroacoustic analysis, one hearing aid showed a distortion reading well above normal limits. It wasn’t something anyone could have detected by ear alone. After sending it in for repair, the difference was immediate — the patient noticed sharper, more natural sound as soon as they got the device back.
That’s the kind of issue EAA helps us catch — small performance changes that can have a big impact on how well you hear.
When We Use Electroacoustic Analysis
At Golden State Hearing Aid Center, we perform EAA:
Before delivering new hearing aids, to make sure they’re working exactly as the manufacturer intended.
During annual checkups, to confirm they’re still performing within specs.
Whenever there’s a complaint about distortion, reduced volume, or poor clarity.
This helps us rule out equipment problems before making any programming changes — ensuring that we’re addressing the real cause of the issue rather than guessing.
How It Fits Into a Complete Fitting Process
Electroacoustic analysis is just one part of a thorough fitting process. We combine it with:
Real Ear Measurements (REM): to make sure your hearing aids are delivering the right amount of amplification in your ears.
Speech-in-noise testing: to evaluate how well you understand speech in challenging environments.
Patient feedback and fine-tuning: to tailor the sound to your comfort and preferences.
Together, these steps ensure that your hearing aids aren’t just working — they’re working for you.
The Bottom Line
Electroacoustic Analysis is one of those behind-the-scenes steps that most patients never see, but it makes a world of difference. It’s part of our commitment to precision, accountability, and making sure every patient gets the full benefit of their investment in better hearing.
If you’ve been feeling like your hearing aids aren’t quite as sharp or clear as they used to be, schedule a visit. We can run a full analysis, rule out any technical issues, and make sure your devices are performing their best — so you can, too.
