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Two part question for my upcoming hearing exam

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First time poster with a couple of questions before my upcoming hearing exam.

My previous exam was July 2025. After requesting a full post-exam report I noticed in the section under that my right ear exceeded the minimum gradient of 150 daPa which is associated with potential fluid in the middle ear. My result was 335 daPa for the right ear. My left ear was normal though. The audiologist never informed me of this result while I was there, so it wasn't until after I requested the full audiologic result via e-mail that I caught this particular result.

The thing is I've noticed in the past few years that my right ear has a bit of fullness to it from time to time. If I yawn it clicks or pops or if I blow my nose it usually plugs up and I'll have to yawn or open my jaw at full length to pop it to release the fullness/pressure from time to time. So the above result does confirm my senses about this.

Should I have the right ear checked for potential fluid with an before seeing an Audiologist for my regular audiogram? Or should I see the Audiologist about this and let them inform me of my next step? I'm thinking that if my right ear is full of fluid then that misrepresents the audiogram result for that ear, does it not?

The second question I have is my current hearing aids are from Costco that I've had since Jan. 2023. Jabra Enhance Pro. I'm looking to upgrade to a newer model but will be going the traditional Audiologist route this time around. I feel like my loss requires a bit more technical finesse to benefit from the power aids that'll be required for my fitting.

Based on my audiogram I'd appreciate feedback from the community on what current models could potentially suit my situation. The clinic I'm visiting services Phonak, Oticon, Signia, ReSound and Starkey. They do not service Widex.

Thanks

3 people in this conversation5 min readJump to latest
@bfc said:

I noticed in the section under Tympanometry that my right ear exceeded the minimum gradient of 150 daPa which is associated with potential fluid in the middle ear. My result was 335 daPa for the right ear. My left ear was normal though.

We're unable to interpret this measurement in isolation. Could you please share the full tympanometric results? Your from the day may also be helpful.

Edited

[226Hz]

Right Type A

20 Pressure (daPa)

0.7 Admittance (cc)

2.0 (cc)

335 Gradient (daPa)

Left Type A

25 Pressure (daPa)

0.6 Admittance (cc)

1.2 ECV (cc)

65 Gradient (daPa)

Tympanometry:

RE: Normal TM mobility with wide gradient 335 daPa.

LE: Normal TM mobility, middle ear pressure, and ear canal volume.

A gradient greater than 150 daPa is often associated with a collection of fluid in the middle ear space. Follow up with to rule out residual right middle ear fluid.

No surgery on either ear. Physically nothing is different with either ear. The right ear fullness came on around 2019 or so and it has lingered ever since. I didn't really think too much of it until I saw this latest result mentioning it before putting it together that this was in fact not a psychosomatic anomaly.

Since I'm new here Hearing Tracker won't allow me to post copies of my test results. If you shoot me a private message I can attach the actual results for you to view if you're interested?

Edited

It seems hearing tracker wouldn't let @bfc send me an in private either. He reported that all of his thresholds in the mid-high frequencies masked down to no response.

In these circumstances, it's probably worthwhile seeing an specialist given the other symptoms and the audiologists inability to perform acoustic reflexes and as a cross-check for middle ear fluid due to the degree of hearing loss resulting in absent responses irrespective of the presence or absence of middle ear fluid.

In reply to @Hearing_Potential

After further reading of your reply, I found the following results relating to and Acoustic Reflexes.

DPOAE shows everything from 1 to 8 for both ears listed @ Abs.

Acoustic Reflex/Decay shows the following:

500Hz - ConRight - 120/CNT ... ConLeft - 105/Neg ... IpsiRight - 105/Neg ... IpsiLeft - 105/Neg

1000Hz - ConRight - Abs ... ConLeft - 110 ... IpsiRight - 110 ... IpsiLeft - Abs

2000Hz - ConRight - Abs ... ConLeft - 115 ... IpsiRight - Abs ... IpsiLeft - Abs

4000Hz - ConRight - Abs ... ConLeft - Abs ... IpsiRight - Abs .. IpsiLeft - Abs

In reply to @bfc

You're welcome. Ask your specialist how transparent your eardrums are and whether you might be able to see any debris/fluid with one of those cheap ear visualization cameras you can purchase off amazon. This could give you a means of self-monitoring if you're having any troubles. In many cases they're only useful for ear wax visualization due to the opacity of the eardrum, but it's worth asking as things might be fine when you the ENT and not ok at other times.

Based on my type of loss do you have any potential suggestions that I should look into at my future appointment? Thanks.

We look at so much more than just configuration when making device recommendations, so I can't really answer your question based on the information provided. As most people wouldn't want to share the depth of information required online, I'd recommend leaving that for a discussion between you and your audiologist. Do check out the best practice checklists on hearingup.com2 for things to look for in a hearing care professional and the section containing questions to ask your audiologist.

That sounds like a reasonable concern, especially with the recurring fullness and popping in the right ear. I’d definitely bring the 335 daPa result and your symptoms up with the audiologist at your next exam so they can explain what it means in your specific case.

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