Audiology
One in 10 Americans may suffer from hearing loss. Children can be born with hearing impairment, but we also experience hearing loss as we age. Other hearing difficulties can be caused by a blow to the ear or excessive noise; blood vessel disorders, including high blood pressure; a blood clot that travels to nerves in the ear; earwax that blocks the ear canal; chronic middle-ear infections or an infection of the inner ear; Meniere's disease - a disease in which there is excess fluid in canals of the inner ear, resulting in tinnitus, dizziness, gradual hearing loss, etc.; multiple sclerosis; syphilis; or a brain tumor and small tumors on the auditory nerve. Audiologists at the University of Illinois Medical Center are highly trained, caring experts who offer the latest advances in hearing screening, and hearing loss treatment and prevention.
Our Services |
- Hearing Testing
We use pure tone audiometry to determine how well one can understand speech at a comfortable hearing level.
- Hearing Services and Counseling
We provide a full range of hearing and rehabilitative services to school children. We also provide individual counseling to help adults with hearing loss to function more effectively.
- Rehabilitation
Hearing aids, cochlear implants and assistive listening device options are discussed with each potential user based on the results of a complete test battery and questionnaires to assess the individual's specific needs.
- Hearing Conservation
Programs to protect the hearing of individuals who are exposed to noisy industrial and recreation situations.
- Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device for severe to profound hearing-impaired individuals who do not receive benefit from even the most powerful hearing aids. We are one of only three centers in the state offering pediatric cochlear implantation services. A unique feature of the Medical Center’s implant program is that auditory habilitation post-surgery is offered on site.
- Evoked Potential Testing
A ssess the hearing ability of infants, children and difficult-to-test patients, who can not respond behaviorally.
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- Hearing Aid Fitting
Conventional, programmable and digital hearing aids are fitted for infants, children and adults with varying degrees and types of hearing loss. Computerized fitting equipment allows for sophisticated evaluations and assessments with hearing aids. We offer the latest technology of programmable and digital hearing aids, including Oticon DigiFocus, Widex Senso, ReSound, MultiFocus, Rexton programmable line, Bernafon-Maico programmables as well as completely-in-the-canal hearing aids.
- Assistive Listening Devices
We dispense assistive devices to help hearing-impaired individuals in situations where hearing aids may not be sufficient.
- Central Auditory Processing Disorders Testing
Our audiologists test a variety of children and adults who may have difficulty interpreting and storing information they have heard in the presence of normal hearing.
- Otoacoustic Emission Testing
We offer the latest in otoacoustic emission testing, an objective test of auditory function. Otoacoustic emissions allow us to objectively document hearing in babies, small children and difficult-to-test patients in a matter of minutes. Otoacoustic emissions often eliminate the need for lengthier electrophysiologic testing. | |
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