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Our
pledge to you:
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To
give you personal care by staff who are skilled and experienced in
hearing and balance solutions.
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To
continually invest in technology designed to further identify and
resolve hearing and balance complaints.
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To
keep you informed about your options for diagnostic testing and
treatment, and to respect your choices.
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To
work closely with members of the medical community, pharmacists and
therapists for a team approach to your hearing and balance health.
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To
participate in continuing education and training programs so that you
benefit from the most recent testing and treatment advances.
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To
protect your rights and privacy as a patient.
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Our
approach to your health:
Our
goal is to attend to your hearing and dizziness complaints as
comprehensively as possible:
- We
take your personal history to learn what may have influenced your
hearing or balance disruption – your occupational background, your
exposure to loud noise, whether you had certain illnesses, your family
health.
- We
examine your outer ears for any debris or blockage, either of which
would affect your hearing and balance.
- We run a series of
diagnostic tests – as many as necessary – to identify the nature
of your disorder.
- We recommend a treatment
plan, working with you and other healthcare professionals, if needed,
to achieve success.
- We
follow up to make sure you are satisfied with the results of your
treatment.
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Testing for Hearing Loss
The
ear is comprised of a highly sophisticated system where sound waves move
from the outer ear to the inner ear, undergoing a series of
transformations that eventually send messages to the brain. A number of
conditions can cause a disruption in the hearing process. To properly
treat hearing loss, diagnostic tests must be sophisticated and
comprehensive enough to identify the underlying cause.
State-of-the-Art
Equipment
The Monterey Hearing & Balance Center has state-of-the-art equipment
for assessing the outer, middle and inner ear functions. We offer a broad
range of tests to determine proper diagnosis and treatment. They include:
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Diagnostic
pure
tone audiometry and word discrimination.
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Middle
ear impedance tympanometry including acoustic reflex testing.
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Ototoxic
monitoring via audiometry.
- Retrocochlear
(8th CN) battery.
- Industrial
audiometric screening.
- Otoacoustic emission testing (OAE).
- Pediatric
audiometric testing.
- Tinnitus
assessment.
- Central
Auditory Processing Disorder screening.
Just
as you have your vision checked on a regular basis, it makes sense
to treat your ears equally well by scheduling a hearing test. This
is even more important if you are experiencing any changes in your
hearing – perhaps not understanding the soft voice of a child or
recognizing the high pitch from your microwave timer.
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Hearing Loss Assistance
Every
person is unique. So too are the approaches to better hearing. At The
Monterey Hearing & Balance Center, we work with you to design a
hearing program that meets your own particular needs. Influencing factors
include your occupation, lifestyle, budget, personal taste, any physical
limitations you have, and the nature of your hearing loss.
Hearing
Aids
We
offer analog, digitally programmable and 100% digital hearing aid systems
in four styles – Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal
(ITC), and Completely in the Canal (CIC). We deliver a full scope of
client services that include:
- Initial
consultation and physical examination of outer ears.
- A
series of hearing tests.
- Hearing
aid evaluation, and REAR analysis.
- Custom
ear mold and ear protection fittings.
- Hearing
aid education, counseling and evaluation follow-up.
- 30-day
trial period with full refund for the cost of your hearing aids.
- 1-year
manufacturer’s warranty against repair, loss and damage.
- 1-year
hearing aid professional services included in new fittings
- An
assortment of hearing aid supplies.
We
represent most of the major hearing aid manufacturers. This allows
us to make the right choice for your individual hearing needs.
Listed below are links to those manufacturers we believe have
consistently produced high quality instruments and exceptional
customer service:
Other
assistive listening devices and equpment
There are other assistive listening devices (ALD’s) that amplify
sounds for specific situations, such as watching TV or a play. Some
work with hearing aids, including a special device for certain cell
phone users. Some are stand-alone and replace standard equipment,
often adding visual as well as amplified enhancements. Examples are
flashing telephones and alarms. The Monterey Hearing & Balance
Center can arrange for you to receive any of these ALD’s.
Hearing Loss
Prevention
Repeated exposure to loud noises has a cumulative, damaging effect
on your hearing. We recommend that you cover your ears in loud
situations – when operating power tools, attending an “amped
up” concert or a racecar event, for example. There are a number of
ways you can protect yourself or family members from excessive noise
levels – over-the-counter earplugs, headsets, even fully
customized ear molds often used by musicians. We can guide you on
how to prevent hearing loss and help you select the best methods for
doing this.
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Dizziness & Balance
Testing
It
is very important that an accurate diagnosis be made before
treatment begins for imbalance so the rehabilitation process is as
complete, efficient and effective as possible. The testing equipment
should be specifically designed to evaluate balance-related
problems. And the audiologist should have completed specialized
training and educational courses that focus on balance disorders.
Some
of the diagnostic tools used to pinpoint the cause of balance
problems are:
A complete
audiologic
evaluation of balance which includes testing of:
- Hearing
- Impedance/middle
ear function
- Retrocochlear
battery
Electrophysiologic
studies which include
Using
state of the art equipment, these tests are designed to help locate
the source of balance disorder.
In each test, we stimulate the balance centers of the inner
ear or nerve tract connecting the inner ear to the brain. The
equipment records the body’s response to various stimuli and
positions.
Once
the diagnosis is made, a treatment plan is established, typically
involving a customized set of exercises and movements to help the
brain compensate for the deficiencies uncovered.
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Questions and Answers
What
payment options do I have?
We accept payment by cash, check or credit card. We also offer a flexible
payment program.
Does
insurance or Medicare pay for your services?
Hearing
instruments are not paid for by most insurance companies or
Medicare. For diagnostic testing, most insurance companies and
Medicare cover a percentage of professional fees. We would be glad
to make the necessary inquiries about your coverage on your behalf.
How
long does it take to get hearing aids?
It usually takes two weeks from when we place the order. Some of our
manufacturers can provide rush handling at an additional charge.
Call us
at 831.375.5688 to make an evaluation appointment today.
See our Frequently
Asked Questions page
for more information about balance and dizziness symptoms and treatment.
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