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A
health-care approach to better hearing
Hearing
loss is a health issue
Some
people think hearing loss is a mechanical problem. Hearing less
these days? Buy an electronic marvel and fix it. The fact is, hearing
loss -- like vision impairment or physical disability -- is a health
problem. There are dozens of possible causes, a wide variety of
symptoms and variations, and an assortment of side effects and emotional
impacts. And for each unique combination of causes, symptoms, variations,
side effects and emotional impacts, a unique combination of treatments
and therapies is suggested. |
Audiological Diagnosis
Dr. Paul Milner or Judy Learner Nichols, both
licensed certified audiologists, provide complete evaluation
and diagnosis of hearing loss situations. Among the services
available are:
- Screening
test: This audiometric exam tests pure-tone thresholds and
will determine (a) if a hearing loss exists, (b) generally
what type of loss it is, and (c) which, if any, further
tests are needed.
- Diagnostic
evaluation: This audiological evaluation includes complete
air-conduction and bone-conduction testing, as well as speech
thresholds and word recognition tests. Additional tests
such as tone-decay, loudness balance, and middle ear function
tests may be performed.
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Medical
and Surgical Referrals
Some
causes of hearing loss are correctable without the use of a hearing
aid. Treatment ranging from removal of blockages to corrective surgery
can restore hearing loss in many cases, often to 100% efficiency.
Hearing Care Center will refer patients to the proper medical and/or
surgical specialists when such treatment is indicated.
Hearing
Aids
When
electronic hearing assistance is indicated, Dr. Milner and Judy
Learner Nichols draw upon their combined more than 50 years of knowledge
and experience to evaluate the many variables required for a successful
hearing aid fitting. Dr. Milner uses his MIT engineering background
and graduate education in Speech and Hearing Sciences, as well as
more than 30 years experience in scientific and clinical research.
Judy has nearly 20 years experience in working with a wide range
of clients in medical and non-medical settings. After a thorough
evaluation of both the client's needs and the wide range of currently
available hearing aid technology, Dr. Milner and Judy will select
a hearing aid with the proper features and custom specifications
to suit the client's hearing loss and personal needs. Hearing Care
Center represents a number of highly respected manufacturers, and
is bound to no one brand. Advanced technology 100% Digital, programmable
and conventional non-programmable hearing aids are available from
Widex, Oticon, GNReSound, Siemens, Phonak, Unitron, Audio'D', Rexton,
Starkey and others, as well. Each company offers different technologies
that allows Dr. Milner and Judy to select the devices most suitable
for the client's needs.
Hearing
Accessories
Hearing
Care Center carries a full line of hearing aid batteries and hearing
aid accessories. Also available are assistive listening devices
such as personal and infra-red listening systems, signaling devices
and other special products for the hearing impaired. Hearing Care
Center provides full in-warranty and out-of-warranty services on
all hearing instruments.
Supportive
Counseling
Hearing
loss can have a profound impact on mood, personality, self-esteem,
and more. Family systems can be affected when communications are
impaired or changed. Adjustments to assisted hearing may require
emotional guidance and understanding. Ione G. Milner, a Licensed
Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), applies her years of
experience and background in both individual and family therapy
to provide counseling to patients and their families, as required.

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