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» Hearing & Hearing Loss
» Balance & Dizziness
» Assistive Devices
Hearing Services
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)
Hearing aids alone may not provide adequate assistance in all situations. As a supplement to hearing aids, a selection of assistive listening devices are available such as
- Amplified Telephones
- TV Ears
- Alarm Clocks with Shakers
- Pocket Talkers
- Doorbell Signalers
- Smoke detectors
In addition, wireless FM and Bluetooth connectivity is also available for some televisions, telephones, cell phones, MP3 Players and computers. For more information on connectivity for your Bluetooth compatible hearing aids please visit the Oticon website.
Audiologic Evaluations: Adults
Pure tone and speech audiometry is performed to determine the type and degree of hearing loss as well as to determine how well speech is understood once it has been made sufficiently loud.
Audiologic Evaluations: Pediatrics
Most of our offices are equipped to provide a full range of assessment techniques designed to evaluate infants and children of all ages. Play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions testing, and brainstem auditory evoked response testing are available.
Cerumen Management
Cerumen, commonly called ear wax, is produced in the outer 1/3 of the ear canal. 95% of the population maintains open ear canals by regularly showering and bathing and allowing the cerumen to naturally travel out of the ear. Some people however, due to an over production of cerumen, improper "Q-tip" usage, and other factors may require the cerumen to be removed by an audiologist. The consistency of the wax determines the method used. Manual removal methods use specialized tools with loops that are affixed to a penlight and/or a tiny vacuum. Extremely impacted earwax or hardened earwax might require treatments of a softening solution. Cerumen management is a preventative maintenance procedure. The audiologist will work with the patient on routine ear care and set a quarterly schedule for cerumen removal and follow-up visits.
Computerized "Real-Ear Hearing Aid" Equipment
This computerized imaging test demonstrates the degree to which a patient's hearing loss is being improved (for tonal hearing) when wearing hearing aids. This test confirms whether or not the current amplification prescription of our patient’s hearing aid is appropriate for the given hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Counseling & Follow-Up Appointments
We offer personal counseling for you and your family to ensure that realistic expectations have been set for your hearing aids. Hearing loss can happen gradually and therefore rehabilitating your hearing can also take some time. It is very important to have patience when retraining your brain to hear. We want you to be satisfied and comfortable with your new hearing devices. To achieve this, we will schedule follow-up visits as often as necessary.
Hearing Aid Maintenance Service
Professionally cleaned and maintained hearing instruments provide better sound quality and have a longer life expectancy. Services should be performed on all hearing aids at regular intervals. The audiologist will recommend a maintenance schedule to follow based on the style and age of the hearing aid, as well as the personal and environmental characteristics of the wearer. Typically service is recommended every 4-6 months.
Hearing Aid Selection
After a thorough assessment of YOUR hearing needs, our skilled audiologists will recommend the most appropriate hearing aid style, brand and level of technology for you. Because we are independently owned, our doctors are not limited to a single brand of hearing device like some franchised hearing centers. We are proud to offer quality hearing devices from Widex®, Oticon®, Phonak®, Lyric®, Unitron®, Starkey®, Siemens®, GN Resound® and others.
Noise Protectors and Custom Earmolds
Custom earmolds are available for a variety of purposes. Earmolds can be manufactured for use with hearing aids, cell phones and iPods. Earmolds can also be manufactured specifically for hearing protection or to protect ears from water during swimming or bathing. We also make musician sound plugs. These are manufactured with a specialized feature that suppresses sound once the volume reaches a level that could damage your hearing.
Ototoxicity Monitoring
A variety of drugs/treatment options, particularly life-saving powerful antibiotics and anti-neoplastic drugs, may lead to auditory and/or vestibular (balance) dysfunction. Ototoxicity is a term used to describe damage caused to the hearing and balance organs as a result of certain drugs. Audiologic monitoring for ototoxicity is primarily performed for early detection of hearing changes presumably attributed to a drug so that changes in the drug regimen may be considered. Additionally, ototoxicity monitoring is utilized for the audiologic intervention when hearing loss, worsened by drug/treatment regime, occurs.
Pediatric Audiological Evaluation
Newborn screenings are imperative for the early identification of hearing loss in newborns. Early identification is crucial for the appropriate audiologic intervention in order to enhance hearing acuity for improved acquisition of speech and language development. Our offices are equipped to provide a full range of assessment techniques designed to evaluate infants and children of all ages. Play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions testing, and brainstem auditory evoked response testing are available.
Tinnitus Evaluation
This special study quantifies the frequencies and intensities of the tinnitus (head noises) that a patient experiences. This information is useful in mapping out an appropriate management program for the patient suffering from tinnitus.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
This is a form of physical therapy designed to "reset" or "retrain" your brain and balance system, through specially designed exercises. Oftentimes these exercises will help to regain lost balance and stop dizziness.
