Audiology Associates Newsletter Spring
Transcription
Audiology Associates Newsletter Spring
Meet the two new owner/managers of Audiology Associates, Inc.: Drs. Briana Holtan of the Carney office, and Melissa Segev of the Annapolis office. Since the passing of AAI’s founder Dr. Craig Johnson in October, 2013, Drs. Briana Bruno Holtan and Melissa Segev have been leading the pack, and managing the business in addition to seeing patients at their respective offices. Dr. Holtan has a Master’s degree from Towson State University and a Doctorate from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. In the past, she served as Treasurer and President of the Maryland Academy of Audiology where her legislative efforts helped to greatly improve patient care. She is co-author of “Institutionalizing Patient’s Freedom of Choice,” and worked tirelessly with Dr. Johnson to improve insurance reimbursement for hearing aids. She lives north of the city with her husband and dog. They’re currently wrapping up a 10-year renovation of their 1863 schoolhouse. Dr. Segev received her undergraduate degree from Towson University and her Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. She received several academic awards while attending the university, which include the Emeritus Award and the Ann Pascasio Award. She has served as Convention Chair of one of Maryland Academy’s conventions, and currently serves on the Board. She lives in the Annapolis area with her husband and son. On weekends, when she finds a little free time, she likes to ride her horse. Drs. Segev and Holtan are working hard to maintain the ideals set by Dr. Johnson. All in the company agree they are doing a great job! Audiology Associates, Inc. www.aaiaudiology.com Spring 2014 DIZZINESS-VERTIGO Hearing Aid Tip Dizziness is one of the top patient complaints along with chest pain and fatigue. The National Institute of Health estimates that approximately 90 million individuals in the United States will experience dizziness at least once in their lifetime. Vertigo is another commonly used phrase to describe one’s dizziness/imbalance symptoms; however, dizziness and vertigo in the eyes of the diagnostician have different underlying meaning and potentially different physiological origin. Inserting and removing your In-The-Ear hearing aids and earmolds should be simple: Slide it in and slide it out. Compare it to putting on your glasses. Your thumbs are beneath the stem of your glasses and your index fingers are above when you slide them over your ears. There is no twisting or turning. The same principal applies to inserting your hearing aids. Hold your hearing aid or earmold in the upright position, exactly how it will sit in your ear. Place your thumb on the bottom and your index finger on the top keeping them parallel to the floor, and slide the hearing aid or earmold in your ear. No turning or twisting is necessary. To remove it, place your thumb on the bottom similar to how you inserted it, and lift it up and out of your ear. Dizziness is most commonly defined as “lightheadedness” or “unsteadiness”. Dizziness can be associated with a wide range of underlying causes. Several common causes of dizziness include: side effects of medication, vascular function, blood pressure, inner ear infection/disease, neurological disorders, migraine or headache, head injury. True vertigo is defined as “room-spinning” or “sensation of movement”. In most circumstances true vertigo is a sign of an inner ear disorder. Approximately 25% of all patients experiencing imbalance exhibit true vertiginous sensations. Vertigo often is accompanied by rapid involuntary eye movement known as nystagmus. Interestingly, in audiology the eye is commonly referred to as being “connected to the ear”. The eye and ear are indeed connected neurologically and this connection (the vestibulo ocular reflex or VOR) gives us the ability to maintain stable gaze on objects during normal head movement. Dizziness/balance evaluations (ENGElectronystagmography or VNG-Videonystagmography) utilize sophisticated equipment to detect and measure nystagmus and the VOR, which give the audiologist a measure of the functional health and status of the inner ear as well as other neurological pathways. It is important to note that both dizziness and vertigo are not diseases or disorders but rather symptoms of underlying physiological processes. These symptoms may not be necessarily life threatening, but only medical professionals can make this determination. With interdisciplinary intervention, modern technology allows for diagnosis and treatment of most common causes of dizziness and vertigo, and many of our office locations have state-of-the-art testing capabilities to evaluate these conditions. Are you concerned about balance problems or vertigo? Discuss you concerns with your primary care physician and/or audiologist. AAI Audiologists, Audiology Awareness Day, Annapolis Audiology Associates On the Radio Listen to Audiology Associates discuss various consumer hearing and balance care concerns. WCBM – 680 AM: Throughout the day including every morning with Tom Marr. Catch our Sunday morning show from 6:20 to 6:30 AM 2 Audiology Associates, Inc. www.aaiaudiology.com Spring 2014 TINNITUS RELIEF WITH THE SANCTUARY Often many of the people we treat come into our office, not experiencing significant problems hearing, but rather with the main complaint of a “ringing” or “buzzing” in their ears. This sound is known as tinnitus, which is the perception of sound within the human ear when no actual sound is present. Tinnitus isn't a condition itself; it is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related or noise induced hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder. Although tinnitus usually isn't a sign of something serious, it can be bothersome for many individuals to varying degrees. There are several tinnitus treatment options including hearing aids, maskers, and Neuromonics. Neuromonics is a device that has, in the past, been reserved for those individuals with very disruptive and bothersome tinnitus that inhibits their daily function. It is an intensive therapy involving hours of commitment on the patient’s and the audiologist’s end. While these individuals have improved with treatment, there was not much available to help those who needed temporary relief of their tinnitus until the Sanctuary device became available. The Neuromonics Sanctuary works on the same principles as the Neuromonics Oasis device. Used for long term reduction of tinnitus disturbance and awareness, the Neuromonics Oasis device was designed to deliver relief while listening to calming and relaxing music. The Sanctuary device, however, was developed to provide occasional relief and relaxation for mild tinnitus when needed. Whether you are reading a book, exercising, working at the computer, or trying to sleep you can put the Sanctuary on to provide relief only when your tinnitus flares up. With the Sanctuary device, there are no formal post-fitting appointments required. It comes with a comprehensive tinnitus handbook and access to a designated patient website to guide you through treatment and to the best results. There is a choice of three pre-programmed music profiles that mimic the most common profiles found in mild tinnitus patients. Alternate headphones and/or a separate portable speaker are available. The Sanctuary also comes at a lower price than the Oasis device, making it a more affordable option. There are some candidacy requirements that need to be met and you will need a current audiologic evaluation. If you think that the Sanctuary device may be right for you, call your audiologist to set up an appointment. Ask About Our Battery Club Did you know that Audiology Associates offers a way for you to save money on hearing aid batteries? Our Battery Club* coupon book includes coupons for eight packs of batteries and a hearing aid check coupon for just $85 (a savings of $20). With this program your batteries cost just $3.75 per pack! Call the office or stop in for more information. With Battery Club Without Battery Club (Savings of $20) Hearing aid check $55 Hearing aid check $55 Batteries $3.75 x 8 packs $30 Batteries $6.25 x 8 packs $50 Total $85 Total $105 * Rechargeable batteries are not included. 3 Audiology Associates, Inc. www.aaiaudiology.com Spring 2014 PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT 6440 7113 Ambassador Road Baltimore, MD 21244 Find out more about us, meet our audiologists or schedule an appointment at: www.aaiaudiology.com or call a convenient office listed below. 7113 Ambassador Road Baltimore, MD 21244 (410) 944-3100 9613-I Harford Road 3455 Wilkens Ave., Ste 206 2147 York Road Baltimore, MD 21229 Timonium, MD 21093 (410) 646-3100 (410) 252-3100 609 Dutchman’s Lane 79 Forest Plaza Baltimore, MD 21234 Easton, MD 21601 Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 668-5500 (410) 820-9826 (410) 266-6444 7845 Oakwood Rd, Ste 303 9338 Balto. Nat’l. Pike Fairhaven Wellness Center Glen Burnie, MD 21061 Ellicott City, MD 21042 7200 Third Avenue (410) 760-4327 (410) 313-9100 Sykesville, MD 21784 4