Audiology Associates Newsletter Spring

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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Audiology Associates, Inc.
www.aaiaudiology.com
Spring 2014
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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
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