Hearing and vision testing

At TidalHealth, we can offer care coordination services to provide hearing and vision testing to help you understand and take care of your senses. These tests are gentle, simple ways to check how well you hear and see. Early detection allows us to guide you toward the best support, whether that means glasses, hearing aids, treatment, or referrals to specialists.

Why Hearing and Vision Testing Matters
Testing helps us:

• Establish a baseline of your senses for future comparison
• Investigate symptoms such as hearing loss, ringing in the ears, blurred or double vision
• Support school, work, or daily activity needs
• Monitor ongoing conditions like diabetes, glaucoma, or age-related changes
• Determine fitness for activities such as driving or certain jobs
• Guide next steps, including glasses, hearing aids, or specialist referrals

What to Expect
Our team ensures testing is comfortable and easy to understand. Most appointments take 30–60 minutes, depending on the tests performed.

• Hearing tests: You may sit in a quiet room and listen for tones or words.
• Vision tests: Exams may include reading charts, trying lenses, or using eye drops to dilate your pupils for a clearer view. Vision may be temporarily blurry after dilation.
• Our staff explains every step and answers questions along the way.

After Your Test
Most tests require no recovery time. If your eyes are dilated, vision may be blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours — consider having someone drive you home. If results indicate a concern, our team will discuss next steps and create a follow-up plan tailored to your needs.

How to Prepare

• Bring your glasses, contact lens case, or hearing devices.
• Bring a list of medications and relevant medical history, especially if you have diabetes, past ear infections, or neurological symptoms.
• Inform us of any recent ear or eye surgery or current medications/eye drops.

Special Considerations
We welcome patients of all ages and abilities. Our team uses age-appropriate, personalized tests and adjusts for communication or cognitive differences. Your clinician will recommend the right type of screening or in-depth testing based on your needs.

Will the tests hurt?
No. Hearing and most vision tests are painless. Some eye exams use bright lights or pupil-dilating drops, which may cause temporary discomfort or blurry vision for a few hours.

How long will the appointment take?
Most screenings take 30–60 minutes. In-depth testing may take longer.

Do I need to prepare or fast?
No fasting is needed. Bring your glasses, contact lens case, and hearing aids. If eye dilation is planned, consider arranging a ride.

Will my insurance cover these tests?
Coverage depends on your insurance plan and the purpose of testing. Check with your insurer or ask our office before your visit. We can provide billing codes to help you review benefits.

How often should I get tested?

• Vision: Every 1–2 years for most adults
• Hearing: Every 3–5 years, sooner if changes occur
• People with diabetes or certain health risks may need yearly testing. Your specialist will suggest a schedule tailored to you.

Can children be tested?
Yes. We use age-appropriate methods, including behavioral hearing tests and child-friendly eye charts. Early testing supports learning and development.

What happens if my test is not normal?
We will explain your results and next steps, which may include new prescriptions, additional testing, treatment, or referral to a specialist. A follow-up plan will also be created if needed.

Should I bring someone with me?
If you need transportation, expect eye dilation, or want help understanding your results, bringing a family member or caregiver is recommended.