Collin County Sheriff 972.838.1300 www . hearinmckinney . com
It May Just Be Ear Wax … Or Not !
By Elizabeth Brassine , Au . D .
You ’ ve seen the advertisements ; “ It may just be ear wax ”–– but what if it ’ s not ? There are many causes of hearing loss such as ear infections , noise exposure , ear trauma , sudden idiopathic hearing loss , ear or auditory nerve tumors , and Meniere ’ s disease among many other possible reasons . That ’ s where the skill of the hearing professional comes into play .
Our staff of licensed audiologists with doctoral degrees in audiology have spent eight years in school ( four years of undergraduate and four years of a doctoral program including a full audiology residency or externship ) studying such things as the causes of hearing loss , the balance system , hearing instrument technology , auditory processing , anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and nonmedical treatment of hearing loss . We often , as professionals , work closely with ear , nose and throat physicians .
Whenever you ’ re seeking hearing healthcare , make sure you ask about their experience , years of training and type of training from the practitioner . Not all professionals , unfortunately , are created equal . We recently had a patient
come in from a big box store ( where they had gone for hearing testing and to look at purchasing hearing aids ) for a second opinion and two different medical conditions directly related to hearing were missed . These are often medical conditions that need medical treatment and could impact not only a person ’ s performance with amplification but , if treated , may eliminate the need for amplification . Or there are cases that could impact a person ’ s health in general ( such as a tumor ). As audiologists we will refer onto the ENT when medically warranted .
Secondly , hearing healthcare isn ’ t always about the price . You can see some low cost ads that are referencing dated technology or , perhaps , very little technology . Don ’ t necessarily be fooled by the price and / or incentives . You have seen our past articles that discuss some of the recent hearing aid innovations . We realize everyone ’ s hearing and communication needs are different , so it ’ s important to work with a hearing professional that will walk you through the various options of styles and technologies available today .
Finally , we want our patients to be educated so that you can make the best decision for your communication needs . Just be comfortable with the hearing professional that you choose !
Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney .
HEARING SERVICES
Better Hearing Keeps You Connected !
• Staffed by 3 Licensed , Doctors of Audiology
• Hearing Aid Fittings , Maintenance and Repairs
• Invisible Fittings / Open Fittings
• Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids
• Hearing Evaluations For All Ages
• Wireless / Connectivity Hearing Solutions
• Battery Purchase Programs
• Custom Ear Protection
• Assistive Devices
• 28 Years of Experience
Locally Owned and Operated Financing Options Available
Mon-Fri : 8:30am- 5:00pm Other times available by appt .
“ Hearing Services of Mckinney is my # 1 place to go for my hearing loss needs . Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs ”.
– Terry G . Box , Retired
Collin County Sheriff 972.838.1300 www . hearinmckinney . com
4201 Medical Center Dr , Suite 270 Across from Medical Center of McKinney of M c Kinney
LIZ BRASSINE , Au . D . DOC T O R O F A U DIOLOGY
TEXOMA AREA Living Well Magazine | MAY / JUNE 2018
43