ASSISTED AND
INDEPENDENT LIVING

Dear Partners in Senior Care,

With our aging population getting older, age-related hearing loss is inevitable. Research has shown that there is a direct correlation to untreated hearing loss and dementia. Access to quality hearing health care can be key to the improvement in the activities of daily living and quality of life for our seniors. Onsite Audiology is proud to serve the 55+ population who reside in assisted living and independent living facilities. Services include but is not limited to:

• Onsite comprehensive hearing evaluations conducted at large facilities or in the comfort of the patient's home.

• Counseling

• Cerumen management

• Hearing aid checks

• Hearing aid consultations

• Hearing aid selection and fittings

• Staff Training and Education

DIAGNOSTIC HEARING EVALUATIONS

If you have been referred for a diagnostic audiologic evaluation, it means that your hearing needs to be further examined by a licensed audiologist. A diagnostic hearing evaluation can determine the presence of a hearing loss, the severity of the hearing loss and provide insight into the cause of the hearing loss. A comprehensive examination provides guidance to the audiologist in making appropriate recommendations and referrals to other specialists as needed. Diagnostic hearing evaluations can be offered at our office spaces in Fayetteville and Riverdale, GA, in the comfort of your home, or at bedside for skilled nursing facilities.

Our comprehensive audiological evaluations include:

• Visual examination using a handheld otoscope or video otoscope.

• Pure tone and bone conduction testing either using headphones or insert earphones.

• Speech recognition/Word discrimination testing

Other tests include:

• Immittance testing

• Otoacoustic Emissions Testing

CERUMEN MANAGEMENT

Cerumen, also known as ear wax, plays an important role in the health of our ears and hearing. Our ear wax acts as a defensive barrier to keep debris from entering our ear canals, and it also protects the sensitive tissue inside our ears by lubricating and coating them. Cerumen is also an antimicrobial and works to prevent infections.

Sometimes, we can end up with too much ear wax, and this can result in temporary hearing loss, earaches, or worse. Impacted ear wax can create ear pressure or ringing in the ears, so it’s important to always get any excess cerumen professionally removed. Our eardrums are delicate membranes and can easily be damaged by trying to clear your own ear canal.

Audiologists may use different tools to remove ear wax. There are various variables that determine which tools the audiologist will used. Our audiologist is trained to safely remove the cerumen.  Prior to removal, Dr. Smiley will use a video otoscope to get an extensive view of your ear canal.  Secondly, she will use a small device called a lighted curette with a scoop/loop at the end that is used to gently remove the ear wax out of the ear canal.  At other times, it may be necessary to use a water irrigation system or suction to remove the cerumen.  All procedures are non-invasive and gentle.  Please do not attempt to remove the ear wax from home.  Remember that such acts can move the cerumen further down your ear canal and could cause damage to your ear drum.

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For more medically sensitive cases, cerumen management may be directly referred to our office in Riverdale, GA and may be conducted by a medical doctor.

HEARING AID EVALUATIONS

If your hearing test reveals a permanent hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended. Your audiologist may explain what sounds you have difficulty hearing, and what hearing aids can do to help. It is usually at this appointment that you will get to see and touch different styles of hearing aids. In some cases, you may even be able to listen to a hearing aid.

Dr. Smiley will help you choose the best hearing aid style, features and level of sophistication based on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, and financial circumstances.  The final decision on which hearing aids are purchased is your choice, but the audiologist will make recommendations on the best options for your needs.

Earmold Impressions/3D Ear Scanning

Once you decide, the audiologist may take impressions of your ears if you selected custom hearing aids or behind-the-ear hearing aids that require earmolds.

Earmold impressions may be taken by placing an otoblock/dam down in the ear canal to block the silicone material use to make the impression from contacting the ear drum.  Alternatively, Dr. Smiley may utilize a device called Otoscan to take a 3D scan of your ears.  These scans are digitally delivered directly to the manufacturer allowing for a quicker turnaround time.  There is an additional fee for this service. 3D ear scans are only available for patients age 18+.

HEARING AID FITTINGS

Our hearing aids are ordered by reputable manufacturers and then programmed by to meet your specific hearing needs. The hearing aid fitting includes an electroacoustic analysis, real ear measurement and/or live speech mapping. There is an adjustment period when wearing hearing aids, so it’s possible your provider may make additional changes to your settings to ensure you’re getting the best listening experience.

REAL EAR MEASUREMENTS/
LIVE SPEECH MAPPING

The gold-standard of a hearing aid fitting includes real-ear measurement.  This technique allows the audiologist to adequately measure what the hearing aid is delivering to the eardrum.  These measurements consider the unique acoustical qualities of the individual’s ear canal.  When these measurements are not performed, there is incomplete knowledge of whether adequate amplification is being provided across frequencies needed, which can lead to under/over amplification.  This is what sets professionally programmed hearing aids from those purchased over-the-countered. Have confidence in your investment by having gold-standard care delivered directly to you!

Active-Duty and Veteran Services

Dear Partners in Active-Duty and Veteran Services,

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Onsite Audiology is honored to serve both Active-Duty Soldiers and Retired Veterans. Our audiologist is experienced in conducting SPRINT and Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluations. Our ADA accessible clinic on wheels was specifically designed with our Veteran population in mind and engineered to meet the conservative ANSI/ASA standards for noise survey compliance. We can tailor services based on the needs of our partners. The services that can be provided include but is not limited to:

• Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations

• SPRINT Testing

• Compensation and Pension Evaluations

• Medical Opinions

• Cerumen Management