Audiology

Hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. Some forms of hearing loss can be treated medically, while others are permanent and require hearing aids to treat them. Our Doctor of Audiology and ENT Physicians work together closely to diagnose and treat hearing disorders. Whether you need medical treatment for your hearing loss, or if you need hearing aids, we can help you with all aspects of your hearing at our practice.

When you are ready to treat your hearing loss with hearing aids, our licensed Audiologist is here to help you along every step. Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits all product. Each patient’s lifestyle and specific needs must be taken into consideration. Our Audiologist will take the time to discuss YOUR needs and will pick the appropriate devices for YOU. Once the devices have been selected, they will be carefully prescribed based on your specific hearing loss and the acoustics of your ears.

Common Objections and Myths About Hearing Aids

  • "I’m not ready to get hearing aids.”
    • There are serious consequences for people who postpone treatment for hearing loss. Hearing loss should be treated like any other health problem. Many people wait too long to get hearing aids. It’s better to get treatment than to wait until the hearing loss gets worse.
  • “Hearing aids are too expensive.”
    • Hearing aids are not an indulgence, they are a necessity. They are an investment in future earning potential and quality of life. Products are available for most budgets and you really can’t afford NOT to get hearing aids when you need them.
  • “Nothing can be done for my hearing.”
    • 95% of people with sensorineural hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. Our Audiologist will assist you in the rehabilitation process.
  • “If people would speak up and stop mumbling, I’d be fine.”
    • Hearing loss usually develops slowly. The person with the loss may be the last to realize there’s a problem.
  • “My hearing is normal for my age.”
    • There is no such thing as normal hearing for your age. You have normal hearing, or you have a hearing loss.
  • “Hearing aids make annoying squealing sounds.”
    • Hearing aids now have advanced controls that stop the whistling noises often associated with older hearing aids.
  • “Hearing aids don’t work.”
    • Eyeglasses don’t make you a better reader but being able to see the letters on the page may improve your reading skill over time. Hearing aids don’t make you understand speech but being able to hear the sounds of speech may improve your understanding over time.
  • “I’ll know within a few days if I like wearing hearing aids.”
    • Adjusting to hearing aids takes time. It may take many months to realize full benefit. Patience and realistic expectations are keys to success with amplification.

Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

  • Increased Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

    • There is a lot of evidence that hearing loss is socially isolating, just as there’s a lot of evidence that cognitive engagement protects against dementia.
    • For every 10 dB of hearing loss, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases by 20%.
    • There is a strong predictive association between hearing loss as an adult and the likelihood of developing cognitive decline with aging.
    • Efforts to correct hearing loss by means of hearing aids and surgery could potentially cut back on dementia risk. Hearing aids could delay or percent dementia by improving hearing.

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions & The National Institute on Aging

  • Increased Risk of Falling
    • Even a mild hearing loss increases the risk of falling 3 times over those with no hearing loss. The risk increases with greater hearing loss.
    • People with impaired hearing don’t have good awareness of their overall environment, which makes them more likely to trip and fall.
    • The findings held after the researchers accounted for other factors linked with falling, such as age, sex, race, heart disease, and balance.

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

  • Loss of Income
    • It is estimated that a billion dollars each year is lost by Americans who ignore their hearing loss. Getting hearings aids can cut that number in half.
    • Getting hearing aids at an earlier age can reduce the risk of losing income

Better Hearing Institute

  • Lower Quality of Life
    • Untreated hearing loss leads to a lower quality of life including:
      • Depression
      • Anger
      • Less social activity
      • Anxiety
      • Loss of self esteem
      • Paranoia

National Council on Aging

  • Loss of Ability to Understand Speech
    • Use of hearing aids helps to protect from losing the ability to understand speech clearly.

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology & TheJournal of the Acoustical Society of America

Our Location

SE corner of Thunderbird Rd and 57th Dr. We are a 4-story medical building located between the Fry's shopping center and Banner Thunderbird Hospital

Office Hours

*Office is closed for lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Westside Ear, Nose & Throat, PC

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed