Audiology
Audiology is the study of hearing, balance and related disorders. Audiologists are healthcare professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders in newborns, children and adults. Tanner Clinic has three audiologists. Sarah Chipman, who holds a master’s and clinical doctoral degree in audiology, Bryan Mortensen, who holds a master’s and clinical doctoral degree in audiology, and Monica Woods, who holds a clinical doctoral degree in audiology.
We assess and treat hearing, balance, and tinnitus concerns using thorough diagnostic testing and current high-tech treatments. Make an appointment today at 801.773.4840.
Moreover, you are able to purchase hearing aids in Tanner Clinic’s audiology department. We work with all major manufacturers, technology levels and price points. Make an appointment now for your custom hearing aid fitting. Financing is available. The expertise of the fitting of the hearing aid is just as important as the technology level of the hearing aid. In addition, our audiologists have over 40 years combined experience in hearing aid fittings. Furthermore, any hearing aids purchased through Tanner Clinic include lifetime service.
Did you know that research has shown that when only one hearing aid is worn, the unaided ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand? In fact, wearing TWO hearing aids keeps both ears active.
WHAT DO AUDIOLOGISTS DO?
Audiologists are hearing and balance experts. They test hearing sensitivity at different pitches to figure out the type, range, and likely causes of any hearing issues. They also measure an individual’s ability to understand speech, both in quiet and in noise. They assess how sound moves down to the ear canal, through the eardrum, and along the middle ear bones to the cochlea. Even in tiny babies, audiologists measure the responses of the cochlea to sound. They also know how to test and interpret brain waves related to hearing. In addition to all this testing, they treat hearing difficulties with amplification technology and training on good communication techniques to help patients stay connected to the people in their lives.
Audiologists also measure the balance function of the inner ear and balance-related parts of the brain. They treat common causes of dizziness without surgery or medicine. If they find anything in their testing that needs to be seen by a physician then they will refer the patient to an ear nose and throat specialist (ENT) who will be able to proceed with treatments that are deemed appropriate. Audiologists work with parents, teachers, schools and work locations as hearing experts implement adaptations children and adults may need in order to hear and understand.
Audiologist are also able to clean wax out of ears and hearing aids.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE AN AUDIOLOGIST?
You should see an audiologist if you have any questions or concerns about your hearing. Just like your eyes should be examined every year, your hearing should also be examined every year if you have a known hearing loss or are at risk for one. If you have a sudden loss of hearing you should been seen by the audiology department right away. Only a comprehensive hearing test can tell if it is just wax, an ear infection, or if it is a more serious ear problem that could lead to permanent hearing damage if left untreated.
Other reasons to see an audiologist are if you think most people mumble, if you have trouble understanding women or children, or if you have trouble following conversations with one or more participants. If a medical condition is found that should be evaluated by a physician you will be referred to an ENT for medical care. Audiologists work with ENTs to manage many disorders of the ears, hearing, tinnitus and balance.
You do not need to see a physician to see an audiologist unless a referral is required by your insurance. Audiologists can treat most forms of hearing loss and tinnitus.
HEARING AIDS:
Hearing aids are usually not covered by insurance, or may be only partially paid for by insurances that have a hearing aid benefit. The following are our cash prices for hearing aids, broken down by technology level. Features like rechargeable batteries or Made for iPhone wireless may cost slightly more than the examples listed.
- Premium hearing aids with all available noise reduction and comfort features (examples include Oticon More 1, Phonak Audeo P90, Signia 7AX, Unitron B9, Starkey Evolv AI 2400, ReSound ONE 9, Widex Moment 440) $6000 per pair, office visits included for the lifetime of the hearing aids
- Advanced hearing aids with many noise reduction and comfort features (examples include Oticon More2, Phonak Audeo P70, Signia 5AX, Unitron B7, Starkey Evolv AI 2000, ReSound ONE 7, Widex Moment 330) $4500-5000 per pair, office visits included for the lifetime of the hearing aids
- Basic hearing aids with some noise reduction and comfort features that are adequate for a quiet lifestyle (examples include Oticon More3, Phonak Audeo P50, Signia 3AX, Unitron B5, Starkey Evolv AI 1600, ReSound ONE 5, Widex Moment 220) $3000-4000 per pair, office visits included for the lifetime of the hearing aids
- Economy hearing aids with adequate volume, but very little in the way of comfort features (examples include Oticon Zircon 1, Signia 1X, Starkey Livio AI 1200, ReSound Key 2, Widex Moment 110) $2000-2500 per pair, office visits included for the lifetime of the hearing aids
WE ALSO SERVICE HEARING AIDS WE DID NOT SELL, AND WE CHARGE FOR REPAIRS ONCE THE ORIGINAL HEARING AID WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
- Reprogramming visits start at $100 for aids we did not sell or as required by a buying group contract
- New speakers are $100 each out of warranty
- Factory repair of a hearing aid out of warranty is usually $250-300 each depending on the age of the hearing aid
- Replacement of a lost hearing aid IN WARRANTY ONLY is usually $250-300 each aid
- Fitting of hearing aids to a person who was not the original purchaser is at our discretion, done only if the aid is appropriate for the new user, usually requires purchase of a new speaker or a remake/recase fee by the manufacturer, and starts at $500 for our service in addition to the cost of new speakers or a recase.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
In general, hearing testing and balance testing are covered by insurance, so you will pay your specialist copay for an evaluation. If you are self-pay or have a high deductible plan, here are the most common charges for a hearing assessment. Your insurance may have a lower price for these codes, and you would pay the lower price. See below for codes and pricing:
ADULT OR OLDER CHILD HEARING TESTING:
- 92557 Comprehensive Audiological Threshold Evaluation $72.00
- 92567 Tympanometry $30.00
- Both tests are performed on the majority of our patients who come for hearing testing. Other tests may be needed depending on your symptoms or the results of these two tests, such as 92550 ($40.00) or 92570 ($60.00) in place of 92567, or the addition of 92587 ($62.00) or 92588 ($125.00).
INFANT OR PRESCHOOL CHILD HEARING TESTING:
- 92567 Tympanometry $30
- 92587 Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions, limited $62.00
- Both tests are performed on the majority of our patients with ear infections or speech delay. Other tests may be needed such as 92588 ($125.00) in place of 92587, or 92579 ($76.00) or 92582 ($110.00) in addition to these tests.
BALANCE TESTING:
- 92540 Basic Vestibular Evaluation $165.00
- 92537 Caloric Vestibular Stimulation, with recording, binaural, bithermal $65.00
- 92557 and 92567 are often performed on the same day as a VNG balance test, unless they have been performed within the past few weeks since the onset of dizziness.
WE DESIRE TO HELP YOU STAY CONNECTED TO THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES IN YOUR LIFE BY HELPING YOU HEAR BETTER
Don’t let these costs dissuade you from seeking care for your hearing issues! Treating hearing loss reduces your risk of developing dementia or depression, is associated with better cognitive health, is linked with improved income earning ability during your working years, is associated with better health outcomes overall (likely because you can actually understand and remember information during doctor’s office visits and hospitalizations), and is essential for staying connected to your family and friends.
Let us help you find a way to take care of your hearing, whether through financing, a charity hearing aid program, or sending you to the VA health center, or other programs for which you may qualify. We want you to be healthy, happy, and connected to the important people and activities in your life.
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