Audiology

Hearing Aid Assessment

Columbus Regional Health has two licensed and certified Audiologists that provide diagnostic services for Columbus and surrounding communities.

Available services include comprehensive hearing tests for all ages, balance assessments and tinnitus evaluations. Our services, knowledge, and expertise do not end when testing has been completed. If you are a hearing aid candidate, we can provide any continuing care you may need.

Purchasing hearing aids can be an overwhelming experience. That is why we are here to answer all your questions and discuss your individual listening needs. We are then able to guide you through selecting the most appropriate technology for your lifestyle at a competitive price.

Accessories

Hearing aids alone may not be able overcome every difficult listening situation.  In these instances there are many accessories available to address specific needs, such as a Bluetooth compatible streamer for cell phone and TV use.

Everyone is unique.  Everyone’s hearing is different.  Each person’s hearing needs vary.  That is why we will treat you as the individual you are.  Our goal is to enable each person to enjoy the lovely sounds of life.

If you already have hearing aids, and are not satisfied with their performance, please give us a call and schedule a hearing aid check appointment.  We can evaluate the function of your current hearing aids and discuss new technology options for your specific needs.

More on hearing aids

When should you be concerned about your child’s language development and hearing? Many of us search for a justification of a child’s behavior: “boys talk later” or they have “selective listening”. It makes it difficult to know when to be concerned. Please let the milestones listed below guide you: 

By 3 months of age your baby should be cooing.

At 6 months infants should have speech-like babbling- pa, ma, and ba, and should also giggle and laugh.

Around one year your child should start using longer strings of babble, wave bye-bye, reach to be picked up, point to objects and shake his/her head no. A few words will also emerge, for example: dada, mama, uh-oh or hi.

By 2-3 years of age your toddler should discuss things not in the room, talk during pretend play, ask ‘why?’, put 3 words together and be easily understood by family.

All babies are screened at birth for hearing loss. If they pass, it does not mean they cannot develop hearing loss later in childhood. You should be concerned if your infant is not startling to loud sounds or is not quiet or smile when spoken to.

By 6 months the infant should be able to turn his/her head to localize to sounds and pay attention to music or toys that make noise.

At 7-9 months children should respond to his/her name and bounce to music.

By 1-2 years of age toddlers should understand simple questions like “Who’s that?”, “Where’s your ball?” and be able to identify body parts and pictures in books.

Besides permanent hearing loss, another factor that can affect hearing and speech are ear infections. Having an ear infection is similar to listening through a mild to moderate hearing loss in which not all sounds of speech or an environment can be heard. It is not uncommon for children with chronic ear infections to have some language delay; however once the infections are treated, your child should catch up. This can also be assisted by the help of a speech language pathologist.

You know your child best; if you have any concerns about your child meeting these milestones please contact your pediatrician and ask for a referral for a hearing and/or speech evaluation.

Columbus Regional Health has highly-qualified and state licensed audiologists on staff who specialize in evaluation and treatment of all ages. If you have any questions please call Columbus Regional Health at 812-376-5323.