Audiology

PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL HEARING HEALTH CARE

The ability to communicate is our most human characteristic. Human communication is essential to learning, working, and social interaction. Impaired communication can affect every aspect of a person's life. Communication disorders do not have age barriers. They can happen to anyone at any time. Nashoba Valley Medical Center's Department of Audiology is able to evaluate patients of all ages.

AUDIOLOGY (978) 784-9355

Audiologists specialize in evaluating and treating hearing loss in people of all ages. An evaluation will help determine the exact nature of the individual's hearing problem or confirm normal hearing. Our certified professionals will work with you as a team to help you achieve optimum communication skills.

HEARING DISORDERS
People with hearing disorders often do not hear sounds clearly. Such disorders may range from hearing sounds faintly, or in a distorted way, to profound deafness. Hearing impairment is one of the most frequently reported disorders in the United States today.

SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss might be suspected when a person does not always hear sounds like a telephone or doorbell ringing, frequently asks the speaker to repeat, turns the TV or radio up louder than others prefer, or shows obvious signs of confusion or misunderstanding of speech.

CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
Some of the causes of hearing loss are chronic ear infections, heredity, birth defects, certain drugs, head injury, viral and bacterial infection, exposure to loud noise and the aging process.

WHAT IS AN AUDIOLOGIST?
An Audiologist is a professional educated in the study of normal and impaired hearing. The Audiologist determines if a person has a hearing impairment, what type of impairment it is, and how the individual can make the best use of remaining hearing. If a person will benefit from
using a hearing aid or other listening device, the Audiologist can assist with the selection, fitting and purchase of the most appropriate aid, and
with training the individual to use the aid effectively.

Our Audiologists are certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, licensed by the State of Massachusetts, and meet the highest qualifications of the profession for continuing education.

NASHOBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER'S AUDIOLOGY SERVICES
Nashoba Valley Medical Center's Audiology Department is able to evaluate patients of all ages. For children, early identification and management of hearing loss are critical to the development of speech and later learning skills. There is no upper age limit for diagnostic testing.
Our services include:
. diagnostic hearing evaluation
. hearing aid selection and fitting
. industrial hearing conservation programs
. swim molds
. aural rehabilitation classes

STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT
Nashoba Valley Medical Center's Audiology Department is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment which meets or exceeds standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

HEARING AID CLINIC: A FULL CIRCLE OF SERVICES
Many types of hearing disorders or impairments can be helped by using a hearing aid or other assistive device. A thorough evaluation by an Audiologist is needed to determine the degree of a person's hearing impairment. After the evaluation, the Audiologist can provide an individual plan for meeting the patient's needs. Assistance with hearing aid selection, as well as fitting of a full range of digital amplification, is available at our Clinic. We also offer batteries, accessories, and repairs on all brands of hearing aids. We will counsel you on the selection and purchase of other assistive Audiology products such as TV listening devices, custom hearing protection and amplified telephones.

WORKING TOGETHER
Each member of Nashoba Valley Medical Center's Audiology Staff works closely with our patients, fostering the cooperative effort needed for successful treatment.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE?
Many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, provide full or partial third party payment for diagnostic services. As each policy differs, you are encouraged to contact your claims representative for complete coverage information.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Patients may be referred by any physician, educational institution, agency, employer or may self-refer. For information on our services and fees, or to schedule an appointment, call Nashoba Valley Medical Center's Department of Audiology at 978-784-9355.