ENT Solutions Hearing Clinic

Meet Our Audiologists

Our audiologist, Jill Elmore Robinson is highly motivated to help our patients with their hearing needs. Our Hearing department offers the latest trends in Hearing Aid Technology.

Jill E. Robinson M.A.CCC-A American Speech-Language Hearing Association Fellow American Academy of Audiology Educational Audiology Association Jill Robinson joined Dr. Smith in 2003. She has been practicing Audiology since 1999, serving all ages, from newborn to geriatric populations. Mrs. Robinson has experiences in settings which include ear, nose and throat specialties, speech and hearing clinic, cleft lip and palate clinic and a variety of educational settings. She is a member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology. Prior to pursuing her Masters in Audiology, Mrs. Robinson was a speech-language pathologist. Education: M.A. University of Tennessee B.S. Western Carolina University

Services

Hearing health does not begin and end with obtaining hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Follow up care is one of the most important aspects of hearing rehabilitation. At ENT Solutions we follow procedures to ensure that you hear as well as technology will allow. We represent all of the major hearing instrument manufacturers with the exception of those that require franchises (the franchised companies use the manufacturers that we represent to produce their product). We follow Audiological best-practices protocols such as the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement and Probe Microphone Verification measures to ensure acoustical accuracy. If upon examination we feel that medical attention is warranted we work closely with your family doctor or can coordinate care with Dr. Smith.

The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

Those who treated hearing loss were more independent.

A study by the National Council on the Aging in 1999 found that an estimated 19 million adults from age 45 and up have hearing loss but fewer than half use hearing aids. Their study was aimed at discovering the consequences of untreated hearing loss for older adults. A comparison of older adults with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids and those who did use hearing aids was performed. Those who did not use hearing aids were more likely to report sadness and depression, worry and anxiety, paranoia, less social activity, and emotional turmoil and insecurity. Those who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids more often reported better relationships with their families, better feelings about themselves, improved mental health, and greater independence and security. Thus, hearing loss can impact health in ways that few realize. This is an important reason to think about treating hearing loss before serious consequences occur.

Everyone mumbles when they talk.

• Jokes aren't funny anymore because I don't hear the entire story or punch line.
• Everyone complains that I have the TV volume too loud.
• I have to really concentrate to understand what people are saying.

If you have hearing loss, you're not alone. In fact, you're one of some 28 million people in the United States with a similar challenge. Why do we lose our hearing? There are a number of reasons; the natural aging process, certain medications, infections, exposure to loud noise.

Let's face it. The Baby-Boom Generation was exposed to high levels of noise; rock concerts, muscle cars, military hardware. And they are now seeing the impact. They are experiencing hearing loss at a younger average age than any generation before them. The good news is two-fold. First, Boomers love their technology. As a result, hearing aid technology has advanced leaps and bounds in the last few years with hearing aids that are now completely digital (computers). Second, Boomers have their vanity. They demand hearing aids that are either virtually invisible or are a splash of colors and fun style.

What should I expect during my hearing test?

Jill will use many tools to evaluate your hearing. She will ask you some questions about your medical history which might include:

• Noise levels you have been exposed to
  
• Possible physical damage to your ears
  
• Past illnesses or conditions which may have affected your hearing
  
• Medications that may have affected your hearing

Looking in Your Ears

We'll look into your ear using an instrument called an otoscope, which is a cone-shaped device with a light on the end which allows the audiologist to determine if there are any abnormalities in your ear canal or eardrum.

Sound Booth

Next you'll step into our sound booth, which ensures that outside noises do not interfere with your hearing test.

In the sound booth we will transmit sounds or tones at various frequencies and volumes to either ear. When you hear the tone you will push a button to indicate that you heard the tone.

For the next test we will have you place a small bone conductor behind your ear. This device transmits sound through bone vibration to the cochlea of the inner ear, bypassing the middle and outer ear. This test helps our audiologist determine if your hearing loss is a result of issues in the outer or middle ear.

A speech test will also take place in the sound booth. You will hear a series of words and sentences both in quiet and in controlled noise to determine your ability to understand.

Impedance Test of the Middle Ear

We may also check your middle ear function using an impedance test by placing a device in your ear which will increase or decrease the air pressure on the probe while presenting a tone. The results will be generated into a graph.

Depending upon the results of all these tests, our audiologist may perform additional hearing tests.

Results of the Hearing Test

Based on the results of your hearing test our hearing professionals may determine that a solution to your hearing loss can be found without requiring hearing aids, in which case they will likely refer you to Dr. Wendy Smith who specializes in medical solutions to ear problems. Or she may determine that your hearing could be satisfactorily improved with some "listening therapy", in which case she will help you begin your therapy.

On the other hand, your hearing test may indicate that hearing aids are the best solution.

Prices & Service

Competitive Prices:

All of our products are competitively priced.

Hearing instruments are consistently priced well below suggested retail prices and range in price from $800 to $2800. Through evaluation and review of your lifestyle and hearing needs, we help you choose the hearing instrument features that are right for you, so you pay only for technology that is beneficial for you. You will not find any gimmicks or “wheeling and dealing” at ENT Solutions Hearing Clinic, just good, honest-to-goodness value and care.