Audiology
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a hearing care professional who has a Master's degree in Audiology and specializes in the evaluation and assessment of hearing losses. In addition, they work one-on-one with you and your family for treatment options. An audiologist performs a number of different assessment tests for hearing and balance disorders, and when appropriate, provides rehabilitation options. They also are trained in custom fitting and dispensing of hearing aids.
Audiology Services Offered
Hearing Information and Counseling
We work with individuals, families and caretakers to help provide education, knowledge and options when dealing with a hearing loss.
Adult and Pediatric Hearing Diagnostics
We offer an evaluation of the complete auditory system from the outer ear, through the middle ear, inner ear, and through the auditory nerve and into the brain to see how sounds are being processed. We can evaluate patients six months and older.
Hearing Aids (In-house/Mobile)
Complete hearing aid consultations are performed for an appropriate and custom fit of an aid factoring in your hearing loss and needs according to lifestyle. We work with all types of hearing aids from conventional hearing aids through the newest digital hearing aids. We can also reprogram or repair any hearing aid for you whether you purchased your aid from us or not. We fit and manage hearing aids from multiple manufacturers.
| Custom Ear Molds |
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Custom swim molds |
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Custom noise plugs |
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Sound scopes for hunting purposes |
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Musician's plugs |
State-of-the-art Balance and Vestibular Testing
Our extensive test battery for bouts of dizziness or constant unsteadiness is completed by what is called a Vestibular Electronystagmography (VENG) test. This uses the newest infrared camera technology to record your responses. Completing this test helps determine the origin of the problem, which then lets us begin to treat the affected areas. At the completion of the testing, either an Epley Repositioning Maneuvers (for Benign Positional Vertigo) or targeted rehabilitation is recommended to begin the process of overcoming the current symptoms.
 Preparation for ENG Testing
Preparación para el estudio de Electronistagmografía (ENG)
Do You Have Hearing Loss?
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Are you constantly asking people to repeat themselves? |
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Do feel that other people mumble? |
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Do you avoid specific restaurants do to the noise level? |
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Does your family complain about the level of the television? |
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Are women's and children's voices harder for you to understand? |
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Is it more difficult to understand conversations over the phone? |
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Has anyone made comments to you that you may have a hearing loss? |
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Do you have ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears? |
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Do you find yourself leaning forward, or favoring one ear vs. the other to try to hear better? |
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, or you feel they apply toward a loved one, please call our office and make an appointment for a hearing consultation.
Tips for better communication
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Talk face-to-face with other people. |
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Speak at a natural pace. Do not speak too fast or too slow. |
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If a person with a hearing loss does not understand what you said, try rephrasing it instead of yelling the same words. |
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At a restaurant or in a large group, try to position yourself so your back is against a wall. Avoid having your back to a large group of people. This helps in overall understanding for those with and without a hearing loss. |
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Try to get the person's attention before you begin talking to them. |
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Try to reduce conflicting noises (TV's or radios) while talking. |
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Do not cover your mouth when speaking (hand or paper of some sort), and try not to talk with gum or food in your mouth or while you're smoking. This will conflict with natural lip reading. |
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Make sure you are within a good talking range (do not try to communicate between two different rooms in your house). |
Other Hearing Care Resources
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