Audiology

The audiologists at Minor & James Surgical Specialists are focused on providing comprehensive care of patients with hearing and communication problems.

Whether you require diagnostic evaluation, rehabilitation, or medical or surgical treatment, our goal is to provide it with expertise and compassion. Our experienced audiologists will test your hearing and auditory system with advanced diagnostic equipment. Based on the results, we then work with you to develop your plan, with a range of options and strategies tailored to your specific hearing, balance and tinnitus.

Phone: 206-622-9916

Services

Our audiologists provide many diagnostic procedures including:

Specialized Auditory and Balance Diagnostic Tests
These tests are called electrophysiologic tests because they use electronic means to assess the function of the physical auditory system. They are completely non-invasive and not painful. They do NOT involve use of drugs or X-rays. Yet they provide extremely helpful information about hearing problems, dizziness and imbalance.
Immittance, Tympanometry
A soft probe is placed at the opening of the ear canal. By changing the air pressure in the ear canal slightly we are able to measure the eardrum’s movement. This test detects abnormal pressure and fluid in the middle ear. The same procedure can be used to evaluate acoustic reflexes, which are a normal protective reflex in the middle ear.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
As with Tympanometry, a soft tipped probe is placed up to the ear canal and sounds are presented to the ear. A normal ear’s response to the sound creates a signal that we can measure in the ear canal. This test is invaluable with children because it tells us much about their inner ear without the need for any response on the child’s part. It can be performed on newborn infants as well as children or adults of any age.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) / Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
When the ear responds to sound, nerve signals are sent along the hearing nerve to the brainstem and finally to cortical areas of the brain. This test measures the minute electrical response of the hearing nerve and brainstem. It involves the use of receptors on the skin to measure the response.
Electrocochleography (ECochG)
Our inner ear is called the Cochlea. It also produces extremely small electrical signals when it is processing sound. This test uses receptors on the skin to measure the very small electrical response of the cochlea.
ElectroNystagmography (ENG) or VideoNystagmography (VNG)
When we are dizzy our eyes move in reflexive patterns. We can observe, record and analyze this eye movement to obtain information about the cause of dizziness. In our practice we use video recordings of the eyes-no electrodes are necessary with this equipment.

When hearing loss is not medically or surgically correctable, hearing aid use can help. Proper evaluation followed by appropriate, carefully selected and adjusted hearing aid technology is foundational to successful hearing aid use. At Minor & James Surgical Specialists, we specialize in the fitting process of the best digital and programmable devices available.

What is an audiologist?

An audiologist is the professional who specializes in evaluation, management and treatment of people with hearing loss.  Audiologists have extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults, infants and children of all ages.  Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to determine the exact nature of an individual’s hearing problem.  Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids, administer tests of balance to evaluate dizziness, and provide hearing rehabilitation training.   By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, refer patients for medical treatment and provide hearing rehabilitation services.  (Taken from What is an audiologist? published by the American Academy of Audiology.)

Listening is what we do best. We listen to your concerns, your hearing needs, your family’s perspectives and provide the help that you need to keep you communicating in your particular environments. We provide individually tailored help for your listening needs.

An experienced audiologist will test your hearing and auditory system with advanced diagnostic equipment.

Providers

Mary Chollman, Au.D.
Audiology
Mary Chollman, Au.D. is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and has expertise in treating tinnitus and vestibular disorders.

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Erin Lazar, Au.D.
Audiology
Erin Lazar, Au.D., is a member of the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Lazar has special interests in diagnostic audiology and amplification (hearing) aids.

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