Comprehensive Audiology Care, Guided by Your Needs
Hearing and balance services delivered with clinical expertise, advanced technology, and a personal approach to care in Gilbert, Arizona.
Comprehensive Adult Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions in America, yet it often goes unnoticed. Approximately 15% of American adults, about 1 in 7, report some difficulty hearing, but many wait years after first noticing symptoms before seeking help. When your hearing starts to change, daily life can change with it. Conversations can become exhausting, you may start withdrawing from situations you used to enjoy, and the things you love can begin to feel out of reach. At Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, Arizona, we provide thorough, accurate hearing evaluations that give you a complete picture of your hearing health.
Signs you may need a hearing evaluation:
Hearing loss develops gradually in most people. Here are common indicators it is time for an evaluation:
What we test and why (Collapsible Diagnostic Battery):
Understanding Your Results (Hearing Loss Degrees):
Hearing thresholds are measured in decibels hearing level (dB HL):
Hearing within normal limits. We'll establish a baseline and recommend follow-up as needed.
Soft speech and conversation in noise may be difficult to hear. Hearing aids may be recommended.
Normal conversation may be difficult to follow. Hearing aids can significantly improve communication.
Speech often needs to be loud to be understood. Hearing aids are typically needed.
Most conversational speech is difficult to hear without powerful amplification.
Access to speech through hearing alone is very limited without amplification. Powerful hearing aids or a cochlear implant evaluation may be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions — Adult Hearing Evaluations
Have questions before your visit? Here are the answers to what patients most commonly ask us about hearing evaluations.
Specialized Diagnostics for Dizziness, Vertigo & Imbalance
Dizziness and balance problems are far more common and often more treatable than most people realize. Balance relies on a delicate partnership between your inner ear (the vestibular system), your eyes, and your muscles and joints. When that system is disrupted, it can cause vertigo, unsteadiness, and a significantly higher risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Why it matters
Dizziness is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor, yet it often goes undiagnosed or is dismissed as “just part of getting older.” Vestibular testing helps determine whether your inner ear is contributing to your symptoms. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward feeling better. Many vestibular conditions can be effectively managed, and some can be resolved completely. You do not have to accept dizziness as your new normal.
How your balance system works
Your sense of balance is not controlled by just one system; it is a three-way conversation happening constantly between your inner ears, your eyes, and the sensory receptors in your muscles and joints. When all three agree, you feel steady. When the signals do not match, you may feel dizzy, unsteady, or as though the room is spinning. Vestibular testing is designed to take a closer look at your balance system and help identify where the breakdown might be occurring.
Detects head movement and gravity. Problems in this system can cause dizziness and balance difficulties.
Helps you orient yourself using what you see. Conflicts with inner ear signals can contribute to dizziness or unsteadiness.
Sensors in muscles and joints tell your brain where your body is in space.
Symptoms that may lead to vestibular testing
You may have been referred for vestibular testing or decided to seek answers on your own. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, testing can help determine whether your inner ear is the culprit behind your symptoms.
The tests we use and what each one does
A vestibular evaluation is not a single test. It includes a series of targeted assessments designed to evaluate different parts of your balance system. One of these assessments is videonystagmography (VNG). During this test, you will wear a pair of goggles fitted with small infrared cameras that track your eye movements. Abnormal signals from the inner ear or related brain pathways can cause involuntary eye movements called nystagmus. The VNG records your eye movements while you follow visual targets, change head positions, and undergo a caloric test. The VNG evaluation takes about 45 to 60 minutes and is broken into three parts: oculomotor testing, positional testing, and caloric irrigation. Choose a test below to learn more about what it involves.
Some tests may temporarily provoke mild dizziness; this is an expected response to certain parts of the evaluation. Your audiologist will be with you throughout, monitor your response, and pause testing if needed. Most patients feel fine within a few minutes of each test.
Conditions vestibular testing can help identify
A thorough vestibular evaluation can diagnose or point toward a wide range of conditions, many of which have effective treatments once properly identified. Some conditions require additional medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis.
The most common cause of vertigo. Highly treatable with repositioning maneuvers, often in one visit.
Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often following a viral illness. Can cause prolonged dizziness and imbalance.
A disorder associated with abnormal fluid in the inner ear that can cause episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.
Weakness or reduced function in one or both inner ears that can cause ongoing imbalance and difficulty with quick head movements.
Inflammation or infection of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance at the same time.
Balance problems originating in the brain or central nervous system. Test findings may indicate the need for a neurological referral.
How to prepare for your vestibular evaluation:
A few preparation steps help ensure we get the most accurate results from your testing.
- Avoid heavy meals for two hours before your appointment. Some tests may cause nausea; a full stomach can make this worse.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol for 48 hours before testing, as both can affect vestibular function and test results.
- Ask your prescribing provider whether any of your medications could affect testing. Do not stop taking any medication without speaking to your doctor first.
- Do not wear eye makeup because mascara and eyeliner can interfere with the goggles’ ability to track your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions — Vestibular & Balance Testing
If you have been referred for vestibular testing or you are considering coming in for dizziness or balance concerns, you probably have questions. Here are the ones we hear most often at Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, AZ.
Specialized Hearing Care for Infants, Toddlers & Children
Hearing plays a foundational role in a child's speech, language, learning, and social development. Thanks to newborn screening programs, most babies in the U.S. now have their hearing checked shortly after birth, but hearing loss can also develop later in childhood, which is why ongoing monitoring matters as much as that first test. A delay in identifying hearing loss can have lasting effects, but early intervention can make all the difference. As a parent, few things are more unsettling than wondering if your child can hear the world around them. Whether your child did not pass a newborn hearing screening, a teacher raised a concern, or you have simply noticed something that does not feel right, you have come to the right place.
"Children Aren't Tiny Adults. So we don't treat them like one."
— Dr. Soha, Elite Hearing & Balance
At Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, Arizona, we specialize in compassionate, age-appropriate hearing care for children from infancy through their teen years. Our testing methods are adapted to each child's age and developmental level; no two appointments look exactly the same.
Services we offer
From a first hearing check to ongoing hearing care, we support your child's hearing health at every step.
Gentle, noninvasive testing to identify hearing concerns during the earliest weeks and months of life.
Comprehensive testing tailored to your child's developmental stage, from play audiometry to standard testing.
When amplification is recommended, we guide your family through selecting and fitting devices that work for active kids.
Quick screenings to meet school requirements, with a full evaluation if a concern is identified.
Signs that your child's hearing should be checked
Children don't always tell us when they cannot hear well, often because they don't know what they are missing. Here are some signs to watch for at different ages.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pediatric Audiology
We know that when it comes to your child's hearing, you have a lot of questions. Here's what parents ask us most often at Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, AZ.
Prescription Hearing Technology & Real-Ear Verification
Getting hearing aids is not a one-appointment transaction. It is the beginning of a process that, when done right, can genuinely transform how you experience the world. Choosing a hearing aid can feel overwhelming, with so many brands, styles, and price points all promising to be "the best." Your success depends not only on the device itself but also on how carefully it is selected, fitted, programmed, and supported over time. That is where we come in. At Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, Arizona, we take the time to understand who you are, what you need, and which devices will work best for your hearing, lifestyle, and daily needs.
Let's clear up a few things first
Many people put off getting hearing aids because of things they have heard from friends, from the internet, or from experiences with poorly fitted devices in the past. Here is what you should know.
“Hearing aids make everything sound tinny and loud.”
FACT: Hearing aids are programmed for your specific hearing loss and listening needs. A careful fitting and verification can make a significant difference in comfort and sound quality.
“Hearing aids are only for people with severe hearing loss.”
FACT: Hearing aids can benefit people with different degrees of hearing loss, including mild hearing loss when it interferes with communication or daily life.
“Hearing aids are too noticeable. Everyone will see them.”
FACT: Modern hearing aids are available in small, discreet styles. Some sit inside the ear canal, while many behind-the-ear options are slim and barely noticeable.
Hearing aid styles at a glance
There is no single best hearing aid, only the best one for your hearing loss, anatomy, and lifestyle. Here is an overview of the main styles we work with.
Completely-in-the-canal or invisible-in-the-canal. Among the most discreet options available.
In-the-ear. Custom-molded to fit within the outer ear. Good for mild to severe hearing loss.
Receiver-in-canal or receiver-in-the-ear. Small, discreet behind-the-ear style. A widely used option today.
Behind-the-ear. Available in a range of power levels, including high-power options for severe to profound hearing loss.
Features worth knowing about
Modern hearing aids offer a range of features that go well beyond simple amplification. Here are some of the most clinically meaningful ones.
Our fitting process
A successful hearing aid fitting begins with understanding your hearing, lifestyle, and communication needs. Here is what you can expect when working with us.
Hearing & lifestyle assessment
We review your hearing results and discuss the situations in which hearing is most difficult, along with your lifestyle, technology preferences, and priorities.
Hearing aid selection
We explain the styles, features, connectivity options, and price levels that fit your hearing needs and budget. Ear impressions are taken when custom devices or earmolds are needed.
Fitting & verification
Your hearing aids are programmed based on your hearing results. We use real-ear measurement to verify the sound delivered in your ear and make precise adjustments based on established fitting targets.
Orientation & counseling
We show you how to insert, remove, charge, clean, and care for your hearing aids. We also review available apps and what to expect as you adjust to hearing with them.
Follow-up & ongoing care
Follow-up appointments allow us to make adjustments based on your experiences at home, work, and in other everyday listening environments. We continue supporting you as your hearing needs change.
Caring for your hearing aids
With proper care, hearing aids last five to seven years on average. A few simple daily habits make a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions — Hearing Aids
Considering hearing aids for the first time or looking for ongoing hearing care? Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Tinnitus Assessment & Management
You are not imagining it and you are not alone
If you hear a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, or clicking sound that no one else can hear, you may have tinnitus. It can be constant or intermittent, quiet or overwhelming, easy to ignore or impossible to escape. Whatever your experience, we want you to know this: tinnitus is real. Tinnitus affects roughly 1 in 10 American adults, so you are far from alone. It is also not simply something you have to live with. At Elite Hearing & Balance, we take the time to understand how tinnitus affects you and develop a personalized management plan that fits your needs.
Understanding the sound you hear
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound source is present. It is not a disease, but a symptom often associated with hearing loss or changes in the auditory system. The sound can take many forms: ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing, humming, clicking, or even a musical tone. It may be heard in one ear, both ears, or seem to come from inside the head. It can be steady or pulsating, high-pitched or low.
The exact mechanism behind tinnitus is not fully understood. One leading theory is that when the ear provides less sound information at certain frequencies because of noise exposure, aging, or another cause, the brain compensates by turning up its internal "gain." This increased activity may be perceived as sound even when no external sound is present. Understanding this helps explain why tinnitus management addresses both hearing and the brain's response to the sound.
How tinnitus affects daily life
Tinnitus can be far more than an annoying sound. For many people, it reaches into every corner of their life and the impact is often invisible to those around them.
Tinnitus often feels loudest in quiet environments, making nighttime especially difficult.
The constant internal noise competes for cognitive resources, making focus and mental clarity harder.
The unpredictability and perceived permanence of tinnitus can contribute to or worsen mental health challenges.
The effort of communicating over background noise, along with the distraction of tinnitus, can lead some people to disengage socially.
Fatigue and concentration difficulties related to tinnitus affect productivity and professional confidence.
Living with a sound you can't turn off, that others can't hear or fully understand, is genuinely draining. That experience deserves to be taken seriously.
Before recommending a management approach
We take time to understand your tinnitus and how it affects your life. A comprehensive tinnitus assessment at Elite Hearing & Balance includes the following.
Understanding tinnitus management options
No single approach works for everyone. Tinnitus management may include different strategies based on your symptoms, hearing, and how tinnitus affects your daily life. Here are some of the most common options and how each may help.
Things you can do starting today
While professional management is important, there are meaningful steps you can take on your own that may help reduce tinnitus distress and make symptoms easier to manage.
What makes us different
We do not offer a single, one-size-fits-all solution. Tinnitus affects every person differently and can range from a minor annoyance to a significant disruption of daily life. Your management plan is built around your specific triggers, lifestyle, and goals, with regular follow-up to track your progress. You don't have to manage tinnitus alone. Let's find your quiet again.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tinnitus
Understanding tinnitus starts with having the right information. Here are answers to what patients ask us most often.
Custom Digital Ear Protection for Hunters, Industrial & Musicians
Hearing loss caused by noise exposure can be permanent, but it is also one of the most preventable forms of hearing damage. The right hearing protection can help preserve the hearing you have and reduce your risk of permanent noise-induced hearing damage. Whether you are a musician, a hunter, work in an industrial environment, or simply want to protect your family at loud events, custom digital hearing protection is one of the smartest investments you can make in your long-term hearing health. At Elite Hearing & Balance in Gilbert, Arizona, we offer custom digital hearing protection solutions tailored to your lifestyle and profession.
Who benefits from digital hearing protection
Standard foam earplugs reduce sound across the board, including sounds you may need or want to hear. Digital hearing protection is designed for people who need to stay aware and connected while still reducing exposure to harmful noise.
Hear footsteps and conversation naturally while reducing exposure to hazardous impulse noise from gunfire.
Protect against sustained workplace noise while maintaining communication and awareness on the job.
Preserve sound quality and tonal balance while reducing volume to safer levels on stage or in the studio.
Maintain situational awareness and communication while reducing exposure to hazardous impulse noise.
Reduce wind and engine noise during rides or races while maintaining communication with your crew.
Protect against hazardous noise from power tools, heavy equipment, and machinery while maintaining awareness and communication on the job.
Digital vs. standard hearing protection
Not all hearing protection is created equal. Here is how custom digital hearing protection compares with off-the-shelf options.
Standard Foam Earplugs
- ✓Reduce noise
- ✕Can muffle speech and sound detail
- ✕May reduce situational awareness
- ✕Generic fit
- ✕Limited customization
- ✕May loosen or shift during activity
Custom Digital Protection
- ✓Reduces hazardous noise exposure
- ✓Helps preserve speech clarity and situational awareness
- ✓Rapid suppression of loud impulse sounds
- ✓Custom-molded for your ears
- ✓Adjustable settings or attenuation options, depending on the device
- ✓Secure, comfortable fit
What makes digital protection different
Digital hearing protection uses advanced electronics to do something passive earplugs never could — let everyday sounds through while reducing hazardous noise in real time.
Digital circuitry reacts in milliseconds — fast enough to suppress a gunshot or impact noise while letting normal conversation pass through uninterrupted.
Many digital devices can actually amplify soft sounds while automatically suppressing high-level sounds. You hear more of what matters, and less of what harms.
Your device is made from an impression of your ear to provide a consistent, comfortable fit and reliable acoustic seal.
Your audiologist programs your devices to match your specific noise environment, whether that's a firing range, a concert venue, or an industrial facility. Protection levels and hearing profiles can be fine-tuned at follow-up appointments.
Many digital protection devices support wireless connectivity, allowing you to stream audio, take calls, or connect to communication systems.
Frequently Asked Questions — Digital Hearing Protection
Considering custom digital hearing protection? Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.