A board certified audiologist leads the Division of Audiology at LoCicero Health and provides specialist care in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Services available include:
Comprehensive Audiological Services
- Diagnostic hearing evaluations
- Tympanometry
- Acoustic reflexes
- Acoustic reflex decay
- Assessment of Tinnitus
Comprehensive Rehabilitative Services
- Hearing aid selection and fitting
- Assistive listening devices
- Instructional sessions for hearing aid use and maintenance
- Custom ear protection
- Custom musician plugs
- Custom swim plugs
A board certified audiologist also conducts baseline hearing evaluations to establish initial hearing levels and track changes over time. This service is recommended especially for patients who are military service members, musicians, industrial employees, hunters, or are beginning chemotherapy/ototoxic medications.
Now available! Financing options for hearing aid purchases.
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 prevent dementia by improving hearing.
Johns Hopkins and 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, Feb. 24, 2012
Loss of Income
- It is estimated that a billion dollars each year is lost by Americans who ignore their hearing loss. Getting hearing 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 the Aging
Loss of Ability to Understand Speech (even with hearing aids)
- Use of hearing aids helps to protect from losing the ability to understand speech clearly.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
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 sensori-neural hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. Your hearing professional 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 are ugly and uncomfortable.”Hearing aids today are smaller, more comfortable and cosmetically appealing than ever before.”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 aid don’t make you understand speech. But being able to her 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.