Products and Services:
- Diagnostic hearing evaluation and consultation for all ages
- Electrophysiological Hearing Measurements
- Cerumen (Wax) removal
- Hearing Aid / Hearing Device consultation and fitting
- Real Ear Measurements and Visible Speech Mapping
- Central Auditory Processing Disorder - (C)APD evaluation
- Tinnitus management
- Hearing conservation programs for industry
- Custom ear plugs
Newborns who fail the hospital hearing screening, children with speech/language delays, and adults of all ages who suspect hearing loss are completely evaluated to determine degree and type of hearing loss. Tone testing, speech testing and/or speech in noise testing, middle ear testing, and inner ear testing are all part of a complete evaluation.
Distortion product otoacoustic emission testing is an objective measure that assesses outer hair cell function in the cochlea. The outer hair cells are responsible for amplifying sounds before neural transmission occurs. This testing is considered part of a complete diagnostic evaluation.
Auditory Brainstem Response testing is an objective measure that examines the timing of electrical waves from the brainstem in response to clicks or tone bursts in the ear. Both the ear and brain are tested. Computer averaging over time filters background noise out to generate an averaged response of the auditory pathway to an auditory stimulus. ABR testing is done in several instances - for infants and children who cannot respond behaviorally; for adults with suspected retrocochlear pathology; for adults with suspected Meniere's disease (ECoG); for suspected central auditory processing disorders; and for several other suspected pathologies.
Otoscopic inspection will determine if wax build up has occurred. If the amount of cerumen will interfere with obtaining valid test measurements, the patient will be advised. Dr. Mallory has been trained to remove ear wax using irrigation, instrumentation, and suction. If the wax build up is severe, it may be recommended that the patient see a physician specialist for removal.
Deciding what type of hearing device is appropriate is a team effort between the patient and audiologist. It is very important to know what the specific needs the patient has - the audiogram by itself cannot decide the best hearing aid to try. Together we determine the technology level and style that best suits your needs by using functional assessment tools. In addition, all hearing devices may be tried without obligation to assure you of a satisfactory outcome.
Patient feedback is critical to decide how the overall adjustment to amplification is progressing; just as important is an objective measurement to ascertain that the hearing device is performing the way it is programmed to. This type of testing, with specialized equipment, is used to confirm that the hearing device fitting is appropriate for your hearing loss.
A customized behavioral and/or electrophysiological test battery is provided to school age children (7 or older) and adults who are suspected of having possible (C)APD. Input from other disciplines (educational, psychological, speech/language, medical) is considered vital to fully diagnosis (C)APD disorders and provide recommendations for treatment. Appointments are scheduled only after telephone consultation with Dr. Mallory.
In addition to behavioral audiometric measures, including high frequency audiometry and/or electrophysiological testing, functional assessment is extremely valuable to determine what type of tinnitus management would benefit a given individual. Tinnitus treatment may include: education/information about what tinnitus is and what current theories are; hearing aids; tinnitus re-training therapy; noise generation treatment. Up to date tinnitus information is provided.
Customized hearing conservation programs, including baseline and annual audiometric evaluation are available for small to mid-sized local companies. Record keeping is maintained; recommendations provided for type of hearing protection; and noise level measurements are provided on an as needed basis.
Any type of custom ear plug can be made - for IPods, cell phones, Etymotic musician's plugs, musician monitor plugs, hearing aid earmolds, hearing protection for hunting (including Shooter's Ears), swim plugs, sound protection plugs and noise (snoring) plugs. Molds are made in house; but all products are sent to an appropriate laboratory for manufacturing.
