Ear Nose and Throat Specialists of CT provide comprehensive hearing health care services at all three of our locations. Our caring, professional staff is available to provide a full range of diagnostic testing and state-of-the-art hearing aid services. We are dedicated to providing clinical excellence and unsurpassed customer service.

Diagnostic Services
Ear Nose and Throat Specialists provide a full range of diagnostic services. Below is a list of the most common diagnostic tests.

Comprehensive audiogram – identifies the type and degree of hearing loss.
Tympanogram – evaluates how well the ear drum is moving; often recommended in children with chronic ear infections or fluid behind the ear.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) – determines the health of the hearing nerve; often recommended if one ear has better hearing than the other or for ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Electronystagmography (ENG) – assesses dizziness and balance disorders.
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Hearing Loss
Nearly 30 million Americans have impaired hearing - that's one in ten of the general population and one in three persons over the age of 60. Medical devices such as hearing aids and rehabilitation can substantially reduce hearing loss in the vast majority of patients.
Physicians classify hearing loss as either "conductive" or "sensorineural." A hearing loss is conductive when there is a problem with the ear canal, the eardrum and/or the middle ear including the three bones connected to the eardrum. Common reasons for this type of hearing loss are a plug of excess wax in the ear canal or fluid behind the eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery may be available for these and more complex forms of conductive hearing loss.
A hearing loss is sensorineural when it results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve, often as a result of the aging process and/or noise exposure. Sounds may be unclear and/or too soft. Sensitivity to loud sounds may occur. Medical or surgical intervention cannot correct most sensorineural hearing losses. However, hearing aids may help you reclaim some sounds that you are missing as a result of nerve deafness.
A mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural type hearing problems.

How do you know if you have a hearing loss?
Many people have a hard time believing or accepting that they have a hearing loss. Part of the reason may be that hearing loss is associated with age. Most people don’t want to appear older than they feel. But one need not be old to experience hearing loss. Because of machine noise, loud music, or other by-products of our noisy age, a growing number of people are experiencing hearing loss at younger ages.
Hearing loss occurs gradually, and it’s not always easy to determine if you’re experiencing it. Often, people discover their hearing loss from the reactions of others – often family members. The following questions may help you decide whether you should have your hearing checked:

     Do you turn up the TV or radio is louder than other family members prefer?

     Do you have difficulty understanding speech in a background of noise, for instance in restaurants?

    Do you have more difficulty understanding children and women than men?

    Do you experience difficulty hearing in meetings or any group situation?

    Do you have problems hearing at public speaking events or church?

    Do you have ringing in your ears?

What should you do if you suspect you have a hearing loss?
Because some hearing problems can be medically corrected, first visit a physician who can refer you to an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat doctor). If you have ear pain, drainage, excess earwax, hearing loss in only one ear, sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss, or dizziness, it is especially important that you see an otolaryngologist. As part of the otolaryngologist's medical evaluation, s/he may recommend a hearing assessment which will indicate your ability to hear pure tone sounds and understand words. The results of these tests will show the degree of hearing loss and whether it is conductive or sensorineural and may give other medical information about your ears and your health.

Hearing Aid Evaluation/Consultation
Once a hearing loss has been identified and all medical concerns have been addressed, the doctor will determine what, if any help is required. Each patient is singularly important, and our staff is committed to your long-term hearing health care. We strongly believe that improved hearing enhances the quality of life at any age, whether it is at home, work, or in social situations such as family gatherings or church. Developing a personalized strategy between the patient and the hearing/medical team makes Ear Nose and Throat Specialists special. Educating patients on hearing problems and solutions, plus listening to each patient's needs and concerns, allows us to choose the best possible course of action - including the use of amplification.

Our Hearing Specialist, Marcie Wilchinski will help you sort through the various technological and stylistic options currently available, to find the hearing solution best suited to your specific hearing loss and lifestyle needs. She will also work with the patient to help make the hearing aid pleasing to wear and financially feasible. We offers a wide variety of styles and brands of hearing aids from which to choose.
All hearing aids at Ear Nose and Throat Specialists are fitted on a 30-day trial basis - regardless of whether you are a first-time user or an experienced wearer upgrading to more advanced technology. We believe allowing you to experience hearing aids in your own home and personal environment helps you to determine what is best for you. If for any reason you choose not to keep the hearing instrument during the trial period, it can be returned to the factory for credit - only a nominal fitting fee is charged. We will continually work with you so you can receive maximum benefits from your hearing aids and are properly instructed on the correct use and care of your devices.

A Simple Hearing Assessment
Most hearing losses occur gradually over the years, therefore, it is often difficult to recognize. Try this simple self-assessment of your hearing status. If you answer yes to one or more of the following statements, you should consider scheduling an appointment with an audiologist because you may have a problem with your hearing.

I use “huh” or “what” more than before.
I ask people to repeat themselves.
I need the radio or TV louder than other family members.
I avoid participating in groups because I don’t hear well.
I avoid speaking to strangers because I don’t hear well.
I watch TV less often because I can’t hear well.
I have difficulty understanding some people on the phone.
I try to avoid small talk at family gatherings.
I have trouble understanding people in noisy restaurants.
I find it necessary to watch people with whom I am speaking.
I am bothered by loud sounds.