Audiology Services
The Precious Sounds of Life
Most of us take our hearing for granted. But our ability to hear has a significant impact on the way we perceive language, music and the everyday sounds of the outside world.
Hearing is dependent upon a sophisticated and delicate system of the eardrum, bones and nerves located in the middle and inner ear. For most of us, this system functions normally day in and day out. But sometimes it can become damaged by exposure to environmental noise, illness or injury – or simply by the aging process itself.
The certified audiology specialists at West Suburban Medical Center are trained to understand the needs of people with hearing difficulties. We offer screenings, evaluations and treatments for a wide variety of symptoms. And, we help people with hearing disorders make the most of this precious sense.
Serving the Entire Community
The Audiology Department at West Suburban Medical Center provides a full range of evaluative, preventative and rehabilitative audiological services to those with known or suspected hearing loss or related problems. We serve a variety of patients, including infants, adolescents, adults and seniors. Hearing loss and hearing problems can be related to a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
- Aging
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Premature birth (infants)
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Noise exposure
- Oncology
- Other medical conditions
The Latest Procedures and Technology
The Audiology Department uses the latest procedures and technology to diagnose and treat hearing problems.
Testing procedures include:
- Pure tone air/bone threshold assessment
- Speech recognition assessment
- Analysis of middle ear function
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing
- Electronystagmography (ENG) testing
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing
Services include:
- Hearing aids
- Hearing aid recommendation/selection
- Hearing aid fitting/orientation
- Full digital, multi-memory hearing aids
- Custom swim and musician earplugs
- Hearing aid maintenance/repair/adjustment
- Modification of behavioral and listening techniques
- Battery club
Your Personal Hearing Specialists
At West Suburban Medical Center, the audiologists provide comprehensive one-on-one evaluation, treatment and management of hearing disorders. They hold master’s degrees in audiology and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and/or the American Academy of Audiology. In addition, each dispensing audiologist is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Three Simple Steps to Better Hearing
Let the audiologists at West Suburban Medical Center help...
- First, we’ll determine whether a hearing problem exists and, if so, identify the source and severity of the problem. A complete evaluation consists of responding to tones, words and a check of the middle ear system.
- When your tests are completed, we’ll discuss and help you understand the results. We may recommend that you see your physician, either to treat a medical problem or to obtain medical clearance for fitting of a hearing aid. If the loss is not severe enough for a hearing aid, suggestions for developing new visual and listening skills will be discussed.
- If you require a hearing aid, the West Suburban Medical Center Audiology Department offers a complete hearing aid dispensing service.
Do you have trouble hearing? Ask yourself these questions...
- Have any of your relatives (by birth) had a hearing loss?
- Do you believe people mumble or speak in a softer voice than they use to?
- Do you frequently ask people to speak up or repeat themselves?
- Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy room?
- Do you turn the volume of the TV or radio louder than others need to?
- Do you need to watch a speaker’s lips move closely to follow the conversation?
- Do you seem to hear better from one ear than the other?
- Do family, friends or coworkers comment on your inability to hear?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your hearing may be somewhat below normal.
If you answered “yes” to several questions, it is a strong indication that a hearing examination is in order. Ask your doctor to refer you for a simple hearing evaluation.
Appointments
To schedule an appointment, please call 708-763-6767.