Audiology
Hearing is a Precious Gift.
Stop and think for a moment about the sounds that enrich your life: birds singing, voives of friends and loved ones, wind in the trees, music of a symphony orchestra. Your ability to hear these sounds is a vital part of enjoying life.
Hearing loss inhibits the ability to experience sounds around us and affects your life as well as the lives of those around us. Research shows that improving your hearing status can improve your quality of life.
Since 1997, Good Shepherd has provided audiology and hearing aid services for all age groups. Our goal is to ensure that you do not miss out on any of life’s precious moments. We recognize that seeking assistance with your hearing can be a daunting task and we strive to address your concerns by building long-term relationships with our patients based on honesty, integrity and respect.
Following your comprehensive hearing evaluation, you will learn how factors such as hearing aid style, size, technology, lifestyle and budget can help determine your specific needs.
Audiology Services
Good Shepherd’s Audiology Services include:
- Hearing Evaluations
- Monitoring of Middle Ear Function
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
- Electronystagmography (ENG)
- Newborn Hearing Screenings
- Hearing Aid Evaluations and Consultations
- Hearing Loss Counseling
Highly Skilled Staff
Each staff member of Good Shepherd’s Speech and Audiology Services has earned a Master’s Degree and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Your caregivers are each certified by the State of Texas and participate in continuing education programs in an effort to provide you with the latest methods of care in audiology services.
Hearing Instrument Services
Good Shepherd’s Hearing Instrument Services include:
- Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for all ages
- All-make hearing aid repair and maintenance
- Thirty-day trial period with hearing aids
- Access to a complete line of hearing aid manufacturers with the latest technology
- Hearing aid battery purchase in the office or by mail
- Custom ear molds and swim plugs
- Adjustments and cleaning for the life of the hearing aid at no charge
- Extended warranties available
Instrument Styles
Receiver-In-The Ear (RITE) and “Slim Tube” hearing devices are the most unobtrusive type of hearing instrument currently available. This style keeps the ear canal open to reduce any plugged-up sensation. The appropriateness of these hearing devices is limited based on the degree of hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) instruments are appropriate for hearing losses that are mild to profound. Directional microphones, multiple listening programs and a tele-coil for compatibility are available for these models. This style is best suited for pediatric patients and individuals with excessive moisture and accumulative cerumen (earwax).
In-the-Ear (ITE) custom hearing instruments fill the outer portion of the ear. This style is appropriate for mild to severe hearing losses and may include features such as directional microphones, multiple listening programs and a tele-coil.
In-the-Canal (ITC) style hearing instruments are smaller than the full-shell ITE and are appropriate for hearing losses from mild to moderately severe. Options are limited due to size restrictions. Good maual dexterity is more important for this style.