Audiology . . .

What Is An Audiologist?

An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses, treats, and manages individuals with hearing loss or balance problems. Audiologists have received a Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. Audiologists determine appropriate patient treatment of hearing and balance problems by combining a complete history with a variety of specialized auditory and vestibular assessments. Based upon the diagnosis, the audiologist presents a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment or balance problems. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids as part of a comprehensive habilitative program.

Services Offered

• Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations - specialized equipment is used to obtain accurate results about hearing loss. We provide evaluations of the entire auditory system from the outer ear into the middle ear, inner ear and along the along the auditory nerve into the brain.

• Hearing Services and Counseling Visits - We are vitally concerned that every person, regardless of age, benefits from good hearing. Our audiologist provides individual and group counseling to help those with hearing loss function more effectively in social and occupational environments. Family members are encouraged to participate in the counseling process.

• Hearing Aids - Custom fit hearing aids are available through our office. Hearing aid consultations are available to select the appropriate type of hearing aid technology based upon your hearing needs, lifestyle and budget. We offer hearing aid services for patients who purchased hearing aids through our office or from another office.

• Assistive Listening Devices - Various assistive listening devices are available through our office. These devices are designed to help hearing impaired persons hear better in specific situations such as on the telephone and the T. V. Special alerting devices are also available so that a hearing impaired person is aware of the smoke detector alarm, a doorbell ringing, telephone ringing or even a baby crying. Please ask the audiologist about these products.

• Ear and Hearing Protection - Custom earplugs and swim plugs are available to patients who need protection from excessive noise levels or water. Musician plugs, which provide excellent protection from loud sounds without distortion, are also available.

• Balance and Vestibular Testing - For those with dizziness or balance disorders, our audiologist performs an extensive battery of tests called Electronystagmography (ENG). This test helps determine the cause of the dizziness or balance problem, which then allows us to recommend an appropriate treatment.

Quick Hearing Test

Answering YES to any of the following questions may mean that you have a hearing problem. Answering YES to several questions strongly suggests that a hearing check is necessary. In either case, you should request a hearing evaluation with our audiologist.

1. Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears?

2. Do you hear better with one ear than with the other?

3. Have any of your relatives (by birth) had a hearing loss?

4. Have you had any significant noise exposure at work, during recreation or in military service?

5. Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?

6. Do you sometimes feel that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly?

7. Do you experience difficulty following dialogue in the theater?

8. Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand a speaker at a public meeting or a religious service?

9. Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves?

10. Do you find men's voices easier to understand than women's?

11. Do you experience difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech?

12. Do you sometimes have difficulty understanding speech on the telephone?

13. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people?

14. Do you feel handicapped by a hearing problem?

15. Does a hearing problem cause you to visit friends, relatives, or neighbors less often than you would like?

16. Does a hearing problem cause you to talk to family members less often than you would like?

17. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel depressed?