• What is an Audiologist?
• What is a Hearing Aid Specialist?
• Services Offered
• Quick Hearing Test

What Is An Audiologist

An audiologist has either a Master’s degree or Doctorate, having completed a minimum of 2 years of post-graduate education at an accredited university followed by 9 months of supervised clinical practice and testing for national licensure certification. Audiologists determine appropriate patient treatment of hearing and balance problems. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids as part of their comprehensive service and are ideally suited to perform such a function given their extensive training in hearing loss assessment. Associated Coastal ENT employs 2 excellent certified audiologists:

• Jeanne Barno, M.A., CCC-A
• Lori Kielty Girouard, M.A., CCC-A

For more information on audiologists you may visit:

• American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

 

What is A Hearing Aid Specialist?

A hearing aid specialist performs hearing tests and dispenses hearing aids. In the State of Florida, they must have graduated from an accredited high school or its equivalent. Thereafter their training involves completion of a 6-month training program and home study course. They undergo testing for certification. See above for the qualifications of an audiologist.

 

Services Offered

- Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations - Utilizing state of the art technology, we are able to obtain information along the entire auditory pathway. Through audiometric testing, tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions, we are able to determine the type and degree of hearing loss. Should the doctor determine it necessary, we are also able to assess the integrity of the hearing (VIII) nerve through auditory brainstem evoked response.

- Newborn Hearing Screening - Because hearing is critical for speech and language development in infants and children, early detection of hearing loss is essential. Newborn hearing screening is now mandatory in the State of Florida. Through a simple test called otoacoustic emissions (OAE’s), we are able to obtain fast and accurate information regarding a child’s hearing ability. Should a problem be identified, the appropriate referrals will be made.

- Hearing Services and Counseling Visits - We are vitally concerned that every person, regardless of age, benefits from good hearing. Our audiologist provides individual and group counseling to help those with hearing loss function more effectively in social and occupational environments. Family members are encouraged to participate in the counseling process.

- Hearing Aids - Custom fit hearing aids are available through our office. Hearing aid consultations are available to select the appropriate type of hearing aid technology based upon your hearing needs, lifestyle and budget. We offer hearing aid services for patients who purchased hearing aids through our office or from another office.

- Assistive Listening Devices - Various assistive listening devices are available through our office. These devices are designed to help hearing impaired persons hear better in specific situations such as on the telephone and the T.V. Special alerting devices are also available so that a hearing impaired person is aware of the smoke detector alarm, a doorbell ringing, telephone ringing or even a baby crying. Please ask the audiologist about these products.

- Ear and Hearing Protection - Custom earplugs and swim plugs are available to patients who need protection from excessive noise levels or water. Musician plugs, which provide excellent protection from loud sounds without distortion, are also available.

- Balance and Vestibular Testing - For those with dizziness or balance disorders, our audiologist performs an extensive battery of tests called Electronystagmography (ENG). This test helps determine the cause of the dizziness or balance problem, which then allows us to recommend an appropriate treatment.

Quick Hearing Test 

Answering YES to any of the following questions may mean that you have a hearing problem. Answering YES to several questions strongly suggests that a hearing check is necessary. In either case, you should request a hearing evaluation with our audiologist.

1. Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears? 
   
   
2. Do you hear better with one ear than with the other? 
   
   
3. Have any of your relatives (by birth) had a hearing loss?
   
   
4. Have you had any significant noise exposure at work, during recreation or in military service? 
   
   
5. Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?
   
   
6. Do you sometimes feel that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly? 
   
   
7. Do you experience difficulty following dialogue in the theater?
   
   
8. Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand a speaker at a public meeting or a religious service? 
   
   
9. Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves? 
   
   
10. Do you find men's voices easier to understand than women's? 
    
    
11. Do you experience difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech? 
    
    
12. Do you sometimes have difficulty understanding speech on the telephone?
    
    
13. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people?
    
    
14. Do you feel handicapped by a hearing problem?
    
    
15. Does a hearing problem cause you to visit friends, relatives, or neighbors less often than you would like?
    
    
16. Does a hearing problem cause you to talk to family members less often than you would like? 
    
    
17. Does a hearing problem cause you to feel depressed?