Services
What We DoHearing Aids
In simple terms, a hearing aid is a small electronic device worn in or behind the ear. But what it can do for someone with a hearing loss is simply amazing.
Tinnitus
A symptom of hearing loss described as hearing sound; ringing, buzzing, whistling in the head, or ears that does not come from an outside source.
Hearing Evaluations
A hearing test provides an evaluation of the sensitivity of a person’s sense of hearing. We provide testing for both children and adults.
What we do
Other Services
Below please find a list of the additional services we provide.
Service and Repairs
Read More
Hearing Aid Service/Repairs
- We recommend returning every 6 months for service to keep your hearing aids in peak working condition. Many repairs can be done on-site.
- Repairs may be needed from time to time in order to keep your hearing aids working smoothly. Most repairs are quick, easy, and simple to diagnose and fix.
- Repairs may be needed from time to time in order to keep your hearing aids working smoothly. Most repairs are quick, easy, and simple to diagnose and fix. We also offer repair services for hearing aids not purchased at our office.
- Periodic cleanings of your hearing aids will ensure they are working as well for you as they possibly can.
- Daily wear can take its toll on your hearing aid, which is why they need to be cleaned properly and regularly. Daily maintenance can easily be done at home, but for deep cleaning, it is best to rely on the professionals
Otoacoustic Emissions
Read More
Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)’s are low-level sounds generated by the outer hair cells of the cochlea (inner ear) in response to auditory stimuli. OAEs are present in nearly all normal-hearing ears. Absent OAEs indicate hearing loss and/or middle ear pathology.
When are OAE tests used?
OAE tests are used to assess the following:
- Infants over 90 days old and children up to 4 years of age
- Children and adults who are or who are unable to cooperate with other methods of hearing testing (e.g. individuals with autism or stroke)
- Children with developmental or delayed speech or language disorders
- Individuals with tinnitus, acoustic trauma, noise-induced hearing loss, or sudden hearing loss
- Individuals with abnormal auditory perception
- Individuals with sensorineural hearing loss
- Individuals with abnormal auditory function studies or failed hearing exam
- Potentially malingering individuals who may be feigning a hearing loss
- Monitoring of ototoxicity in patients before, during, and after administration of agents known to be ototoxic (e.g., aminoglycosides, chemotherapy agents)
Types of OAE’s
- Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs)
DPOAEs are generated by simultaneous stimulation of the outer hair cells by presenting two pure tones of different frequency through the OAE probe.
- Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs).
TEOAEs are generated when the ear is stimulated by clicks or tonebursts.
Aural Rehabilitation
Read More
Aural rehabilitation is frequently used as an integral component in the overall management of individuals with hearing loss and refers to services and procedures for facilitating adequate receptive and expressive communication in individuals with hearing differences. Aural rehabilitation is often an interdisciplinary endeavor involving physicians, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists.
Bone Anchored Implants
Read More
A bone anchored implant is a hearing solution for some individuals with chronic conditions who are unable to wear hearing aids. A bone anchored implant can improve hearing and reconnect you to the sounds you have been missing. Our team is experienced in helping to determine if you are a good candidate for a bone anchored implant.
Assistive Listening Devices
Read More
The terms assistive listening device or assistive listening technology can refer to any device that helps a person with hearing loss to communicate. These terms often refer to devices that help a person to hear and understand what is being said more clearly or to express thoughts more easily. With the development of digital and wireless technologies, more and more devices are becoming available to help people with hearing disorders to communicate more meaningfully and participate more fully in their daily lives.
Custom Hearing Protection
Read More
Exposure to loud noise can damage the fine hair cells in your ears, leading to hearing loss. Custom earplugs can protect your hearing when used regularly. Custom earplugs can also protect against water, wind, and snoring.
Musician Earplugs/Monitors
- Custom earmolds with special music filters offer outstanding sound quality, increased comfort, and discreet design.
Shooting Hearing Protection
- Wearing ear protection is extremely important, not only for people who shoot but for bystanders as well.
Swimmers Earmolds
- A custom fit provides increased comfort and improved protection
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about your hearing, you’re not alone. Current estimates place the number of hearing-impaired adults in the United States at just over 37 million.
We’re also available to answer any questions you may have that pertain to insurance, financing, discounts or any other number of questions our patients ask us every day.
I’ve previously used a device and would like to purchase that brand again. Which manufacturers do you work with?
We offer instruments from a variety of manufacturers which allows selection of the most appropriate product to match your individual needs. Presently we work most often with Oticon, Widex, ReSound, and Phonak but, we are able to work with most other manufacturers.
Are there different types of aural rehabilitation?
The many different types of aural rehabilitation therapies:
- Hearing aid orientation: The process of providing education and therapies to persons (individual or group) and their families about the use and expectations of wearing hearing aids to improve communication.
- Listening strategies: The process of teaching someone who has a hearing loss different strategies when listening with or without amplification to improve their ability to communicate.
- Speechreading: The process of using or teaching the understanding communication using visual cues observed from the speaker’s mouth, facial expressions, and hand movements.
- Auditory Training: The process of teaching an individual with a hearing loss the ability to recognize speech sounds, patterns, words, phrases, or sentences via audition.
- Unisensory: Therapy philosophy that centers on extreme development of a single sense for improving communication.
Steps included in an aural rehabilitation program for an adult:
- Assessment and impact of hearing loss
- Assessment for the use of hearing aids and or assistive listening devices
- Assessment of listening strategies and speech reading skills
- Developing a treatment program including the family
- Delivery of the treatment program
- Outcome measures
Treatment strategies for adults center on:
- Hearing aids and or assistive listening device evaluation and orientation
- Providing therapy to increase listening strategies and speech reading
- Counseling to ease the adjustment to hearing aids and or assistive listening devices and the possible psychological, emotional, and occupational impacts of hearing loss
Are there different styles of hearing aids?
Why am I losing my hearing?
Hearing loss happens for different reasons. Many people lose their hearing slowly as they age. This condition is known as presbycusis. Doctors do not know why presbycusis affects some people more than others, but it seems to run in families. Another reason for hearing loss with aging may be years of exposure to loud noise. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss. Many construction workers, farmers, musicians, airport workers, yard and tree care workers, and people in the armed forces have hearing problems even in their younger and middle years because of too much exposure to loud noise. Hearing loss can also be caused by viral or bacterial infections, heart conditions or stroke, head injuries, tumors, and certain medicines
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses and treats hearing and balance problems. An audiologist has received an Au.D. (Doctorate in Audiology), or a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program in audiology.
Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing or balance problems for individuals from birth through adulthood.
If you or a family member suspect that you have a hearing problem or a balance problem, contact an audiologist. After carefully reviewing your health history and evaluating your hearing, an audiologist will determine whether your condition might be medically treatable and will refer you to an appropriate professional. If your condition is not medically treatable, he or she will review any recommendations for audiologic care or treatment which may include hearing aids, aural rehabilitiation or balance therapy.
I don’t have insurance. Is financing available?
We work with Wells Fargo to offer financing options. Discuss any financing need with your Audiologist.
Is it possible to lose your hearing suddenly?
Approximately 4,000 new cases of sudden deafness occur each year in the United States. Hearing loss affects only 1 ear in 9 out of 10 people who experience sudden deafness. Only 10 to 15 percent of patients with sudden deafness know what caused their loss.
Our Mission
A Caring Approach to Hearing Health
We strive to provide comprehensive and professional hearing health care, from prevention to rehabilitation, for those individuals with hearing concerns. Our patient care will be unique to each individual and reflect the professional concern and attention required to allow each individual to succeed in their goal of improved quality of life through better hearing.
Hours
Office Hours
Park Ridge
Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
Buffalo Grove
Mon - Fri 7:30am -3:00pm
Hearing Aid Walk-In Clinic
Park Ridge
Mon - Fri 10:00am - 11:00am
Buffalo Grove
Times Vary, Please Call For Details