Audiology Services

Once the audiologist has a full understanding of your type and degree of hearing loss, your results, next steps, and/or treatment options will be discussed. Below are some of the audiology services we provide:

  • Comprehensive audiogram testing for children and adults
  • Tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing
  • Assessment and treatment of balance disorders related to the inner ear
  • Hearing aid dispensing – all levels of technology from the very basic with limited features to highly advanced computer technology sophistication with bluetooth wireless capabilities
  • Hearing aid evaluations
  • Hearing aid repairs and programming
  • Hearing aid accessories / supplies
  • Assistive listening accessories and devices such as TV Ears and amplification of your TV, doorbell and phone
  • Participating provider of Caption Call- free captioned telephone. Eligible patient require a signed prescription from an audiologist.
  • Custom hearing protection: swim plugs, hunters and firearm shooter ear plugs, noise plugs for airplane travel, industrial workers, police and fire personnel, dentists, dental hygienists and spouses of chronic snorers
  • Custom ear molds
  • Custom musician ear plugs and ear monitors
hearing problem
Types of Hearing Loss

During a hearing evaluation, the doctor locates which part of the hearing system is damaged. The type and degree of your hearing loss is important in determining the appropriate treatment. The following are the types and degrees of hearing loss found in children and adults, depending on which part of the hearing system is affected.

Conductive

Hearing loss that is caused by something blocking or stopping the sound from getting to the outer or middle ear, such as fluid, infection, perforation of the eardrum, earwax, ear cysts (cholesteatoma), dislocation of the earbones, or bony scarring of the third ear bone (otosclerosis) are present. This type of hearing loss can be successfully treated and resolved in many cases.

Sensorineural

Hearing loss related to an issue with the way the inner ear or hearing nerve functions. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. The most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss are age, genetic conditions, and damage from noise exposure. Individuals typically report that they can hear people speaking, but cannot understand what is being said. Many times they may feel as though everyone is mumbling. They may have difficulty keeping up with conversations in school or at work. They tend to struggle more when there is background noise and may have difficulty understanding what is being said over the telephone. This type of hearing loss is often successfully treated with hearing aids.

Mixed

Hearing loss that combines both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is a mixed hearing loss. An example would include an adult with sensorineural hearing loss due to noise exposure who also has an ear infection.

Degrees of Hearing Loss:

  • Mild: can hear speech sounds but has trouble hearing soft sounds
  • Moderate: cannot hear any speech when a person is talking at a normal volume
  • Severe: cannot hear speech at a normal volume and only some loud sounds
  • Profound: cannot hear any speech and only hears very loud sounds

Hearing loss can be categorized as the following:

  • Unilateralor bilateral: hearing loss in one or both ears.
  • Symmetrical or asymmetrical: hearing loss that is the same in both ears or different between ears
  • Progressive or sudden: hearing loss that worsens over time or happens quickly
  • Fluctuating or stable: hearing loss that gets better or worse over time or stays the same over time.
  • Congenital or acquired/delayed onset: hearing loss is present at birth or appears later in life.