WE'RE OPEN! EAR, NOSE & WITH AN EXPANDED TEAM AND HEALTH THROAT ENT CARE CENTER SAFETY PROTOCOLS. ALL TO SERVE YOU BETTER. | info@theentcc.com theentcc.com 847-649-6000 27790 West Highway 22, Medical Office Center 1, Suite 27, Barrington, IL 60010 SHANNON VOKAC | ASHLEY WARD GARY LIVINGSTON | JASON CUNDIFF PAM SMEKRUD AU. D MSN. APRN, FNP-C M.D. FACS M.D., FACS AU. D. If you or a family member are experiencing hearing loss, one of the audiologists at The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center may be able to help! Hearing loss is difficult for everyone involved, and your first appointment with the audiologist can feel quite overwhelming, especially if you believe that your hearing is damaged. At The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center, Dr. Pam Smekrud and Dr. Shannon Vokac understand this fear and are there to provide support and help you begin to feel normal again. When you come in for your visit, our team will begin by learning a little more about your health history before inspecting your ears and testing your hearing. In addition to discussing any hearing problems in the family, the audiologist may want to discuss your work and life situations. This is because some environments naturally bring more danger than others. On a separate note, your audiologist may ask about any medication you're on, as this can sometimes become the source of ear-related problems. A thorough hearing test and ear inspection includes several stages. By completing all of them, the audiologist gains the very best insight and can provide a more accurate diagnosis. Your test at The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center will begin with a physical inspection of the canal and ear drum. This is done by using a tool known as the otoscope, along with a light. This process is used to check for abnormalities with the ear as well as signs of infection, wax or blockages. After this inspection, you'll undergo a few tests. Tympanometry tests the middle ear and checks to see how the eardrum responds to light pressure. This can test how the eardrum would act to infection and fluid. The audiometry part of the hearing test is the one that most people are familiar with. This test is done in a booth and you will be asked to press a button when you hear a sound. This test is broken into two sections. Air conduction tests are done to determine the softest sound you can hear through headphones and bone conduction determines the softest sound heard by stimulating the inner ear. In addition to the tests that use specialized machinery, the doctor will want to have a conversation with you. This communication lets them focus on how your ears distinguish dialogue under normal circumstances. After your visit, the audiologist will tell you whether your problems are best solved by hearing aids, medicines, or alternative treatment options. If hearing aids are necessary, you may need to have impressions taken so that they can get the mold right for your ear canal. Once manufactured, you'll need another appointment to go through the fitting and general care of the device. On a similar note, additional appointments will be required for most other treatment types. So, now that you know what to expect, there's no reason to defer from booking your appointment! Schedule your appointment with one of the experienced audiologists at the Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center Today! IOW WE'RE OPEN! EAR, NOSE & WITH AN EXPANDED TEAM AND HEALTH THROAT ENT CARE CENTER SAFETY PROTOCOLS. ALL TO SERVE YOU BETTER. | info@theentcc.com theentcc.com 847-649-6000 27790 West Highway 22, Medical Office Center 1, Suite 27, Barrington, IL 60010 SHANNON VOKAC | ASHLEY WARD GARY LIVINGSTON | JASON CUNDIFF PAM SMEKRUD AU. D MSN. APRN, FNP-C M.D. FACS M.D., FACS AU. D. If you or a family member are experiencing hearing loss, one of the audiologists at The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center may be able to help! Hearing loss is difficult for everyone involved, and your first appointment with the audiologist can feel quite overwhelming, especially if you believe that your hearing is damaged. At The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center, Dr. Pam Smekrud and Dr. Shannon Vokac understand this fear and are there to provide support and help you begin to feel normal again. When you come in for your visit, our team will begin by learning a little more about your health history before inspecting your ears and testing your hearing. In addition to discussing any hearing problems in the family, the audiologist may want to discuss your work and life situations. This is because some environments naturally bring more danger than others. On a separate note, your audiologist may ask about any medication you're on, as this can sometimes become the source of ear-related problems. A thorough hearing test and ear inspection includes several stages. By completing all of them, the audiologist gains the very best insight and can provide a more accurate diagnosis. Your test at The Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center will begin with a physical inspection of the canal and ear drum. This is done by using a tool known as the otoscope, along with a light. This process is used to check for abnormalities with the ear as well as signs of infection, wax or blockages. After this inspection, you'll undergo a few tests. Tympanometry tests the middle ear and checks to see how the eardrum responds to light pressure. This can test how the eardrum would act to infection and fluid. The audiometry part of the hearing test is the one that most people are familiar with. This test is done in a booth and you will be asked to press a button when you hear a sound. This test is broken into two sections. Air conduction tests are done to determine the softest sound you can hear through headphones and bone conduction determines the softest sound heard by stimulating the inner ear. In addition to the tests that use specialized machinery, the doctor will want to have a conversation with you. This communication lets them focus on how your ears distinguish dialogue under normal circumstances. After your visit, the audiologist will tell you whether your problems are best solved by hearing aids, medicines, or alternative treatment options. If hearing aids are necessary, you may need to have impressions taken so that they can get the mold right for your ear canal. Once manufactured, you'll need another appointment to go through the fitting and general care of the device. On a similar note, additional appointments will be required for most other treatment types. So, now that you know what to expect, there's no reason to defer from booking your appointment! Schedule your appointment with one of the experienced audiologists at the Ear, Nose + Throat Care Center Today! IOW