Audiology and Hearing Services
Latest Technology…Skilled & Experienced Service…For All Ages

Audiology involves the identification, evaluation and prevention of hearing loss…as well as rehabilitation of hearing impairments.

Click here to learn more about our hearing aid options.

• Do you suffer from significant hearing loss preventing you from enjoying normal activities such as dining with friends and listening to the television?
• Does your hearing affect your ability to communicate at work?
• Do you suffer from high or low pitched noise in the ear – also known as tinnitus?
• Is there a concern that your child may have hearing loss or speech delay?

Hearing loss affects our ability to communicate and our quality of life. It varies across our population and each individual’s hearing loss is unique. Age related hearing loss is a normal part of the aging process, but hearing loss has other causes including: medical conditions, occupational and recreational noise exposure, or rarely benign growths that affect the hearing and balance portion of our nervous system (a rare occurrence). Hearing loss may be greater in one ear than the other.  Regardless of the cause, an accurate evaluation - by a qualified audiologist - is critical to effective hearing rehabilitation.

What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a professionally trained individual who specializes in promoting hearing wellness through education, identifying hearing and balance problems, interpreting diagnostic tests and providing rehabilitation plans by recommending and fitting hearing aids and assistive devices.  Our service is ongoing - our team strives for excellence in long term rehabilitation and service.

What is an Audiological Evaluation?
At Southeastern ENT, we believe an audiological evaluation begins with establishing a relationship with our patients.  The results of the comprehensive audiological evaluation will be reviewed with our patients and will provide them with answers to all their questions, including possible causes of their hearing loss and best treatment options.

What audiological equipment/tests are used during a comprehensive evaluation for adults or children? Initial testing is done with an audiometer.  It produces sounds at different pitches and intensities through headphones that help the audiologist measure hearing thresholds. It also provides a way to determine speech understanding in both quiet and noisy settings.  This device enables us to determine the degree and type of hearing loss.

Other, more specialized testing includes:
Tympanometry & Acoustic Reflex Testing, which is done to identify middle ear fluid, evaluate eustachian tube function, and help diagnose auditory lesions.

Otoacoustic Emission Tests (OAE) to evaluate cochlear function by using sound to stimulate the cochlea.  OAE is excellent for assessing the hearing of children and newborns.

Visual Response Audiometric (VRA) is a “fun” method of pediatric testing allowing the child to participate in play activity while the audiologist uses visual reinforcement as the child responds to different tones.

COMMON COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEARING LOSS

• Trouble hearing others in meetings, restaurants, at work or church
• Frustration in understanding what a grandchild says to you
• Trouble hearing your doctor during an exam
• Difficulty hearing the television
• Have to ask others to “repeat” themselves
• Family & friends get annoyed because you misunderstand or make inappropriate responses
• Dizziness & ringing in the ears
• Child with frequent and persistent ear infections
• You or family members can’t understand your child’s speech

TREATMENTS & SOLUTIONS FOR HEARING LOSS

• Hearing Aids:  BTE (behind the ear), ITE (in the ear) & CIC (completely in the canal)
• Improved Communication:
• Ask people to speak slower, clearer, and slightly louder
• Avoid conversations across rooms
• Choose environments with “quieter” background noise
• Face people…and ask them to face you when speaking
• Explain to people how they can communicate more effectively with you.  For example say:  “It would really help me a lot if you would speak slower so that I can understand what you’re saying.”
• Rephrase the speaker’s message to ensure understanding and an appropriate response
  

SOUTHEASTERN ENT ALLERGY & SLEEP DISORDERS INSTITUTE provides a full spectrum of adult and pediatric hearing examinations, hearing aid fitting, education and ongoing service to people of all ages and stages in life.  Our team of professionals is well qualified, experienced and sensitive to each individual’s concerns.  We tailor the treatment program to meet the needs of every single patient.