An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses and treats hearing and balance problems. An audiologist has received an Au.D. (Doctorate in Audiology), or a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program in audiology.
Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat hearing and tinnitus problems.
If you or a family member suspect that you have a hearing or tinnitus problem, contact us today. After carefully reviewing your health history and evaluating your hearing, one of our audiologists will determine whether your condition might be medically treatable and will refer you to an appropriate professional. If your condition is not medically treatable, your audiologist will recommend audiologic care or treatment which may include hearing aids or aural rehabilitation.
Apex Audiology is an independently owned Audiology practice serving the communities of Colorado Springs, Canon City, and Pueblo, Colorado. Being an independently owned audiology practice means that Apex Audiology is not owned by hearing aid manufacturing companies like other audiology practices are in the area. This allows our hearing specialists to provide you with the best care possible without having to worry about meeting sale quotas from hearing aid manufacturers invested in a practice.
Make an appointment with us today if you’re experiencing hearing loss, symptoms of tinnitus, or are in need of a hearing test with a hearing specialist. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Hearing loss affecting adults is typically associated with aging, but can also be due to hereditary factors, noise exposure (occupational and recreational), viral and bacterial infections, heart conditions or stroke, head injuries, tumors, and certain medications. To learn more, check out our page on Hearing Loss.
If you think you have a hearing loss, you should schedule an appointment to see one of our hearing specialists for a hearing test. Our hearing evaluations are very thorough and quick, usually taking no more than 20 minutes. We perform comprehensive hearing assessments for adults and seniors.
Once completed, we will provide you with a complete report with interpretation of results and recommendations. We will also send a copy of the report to your physician.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), sudden deafness, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), strikes one person per 5,000 every year, typically adults in their 40s and 50s. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) usually comes on suddenly and rapidly, and nine out of 10 people with SSHL lose hearing in one ear.
Unfortunately, most people who experience SSHL delay treatment or don’t seek treatment at all, because they think the condition is due to allergies, sinus infections, or ear wax impaction. If you suspect you have SSHL, you should seek immediate medical care, because any delayed treatment could result in a permanent hearing loss.
About 80% of people diagnosed with SSHL do not have any identifiable cause. For the other 20%, causes have been attributed to secondary issues associated with primary illnesses or medical conditions, including:
If you suspect you may have SSHL, contact us today for a full evaluation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that noise exposure levels should not exceed 70 decibels (dB) over a 24-hour period, and 85 dB over a 1-hour period to avoid hearing impairment.
Check out Vital Signs’, “Too Loud! For Too Long!” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explaining how loud noises damage hearing.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented with the use of custom hearing protection (e.g., earmolds and earplugs) and in limiting your exposure to loud sound levels.
Custom hearing protection helps to reduce the sound intensity, though, they do not block out sound completely.
If you are interested in custom hearing protection, contact us to set up an appointment.
Whether or not a hearing aid will work for you usually depends on the type of hearing loss or the degree of hearing loss you may have.
To learn more, check out our page on Hearing Loss.
If your hearing test reveals permanent hearing loss, your hearing specialist may recommend a hearing aid for one or both ears. Your hearing specialist will explain what sounds you are not hearing and what a hearing aid (or hearing aids) can do to help. It is usually at this appointment that you will get to see and touch different styles of hearing aids. In some cases, you may even be able to listen to a hearing aid. Your hearing specialist will help you choose the best hearing aid style, features, and level of sophistication based on your degree of hearing loss, your lifestyle, and your financial circumstances. However, the final decision regarding which hearing aid to purchase is yours.
When selecting a hearing aid style, our hearing specialists consider the following factors to ensure you get the right hearing aid for your needs:
Generally, we can fix most hearing aids made by most manufacturers, including but not limited to Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, ReSound, and Sonic. We cover basic repairs, including ear wax and debris removal within the hearing aids. Excess ear wax and debris can cause damage to internal parts. With proper cleaning and care, these basic repairs can be avoided.
To learn more, check out our page on Hearing Aid Services.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is actually present. It is a symptom (not a disease) indicating that something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound. Because the function of the auditory nerve is to carry sound, when it is irritated from any cause, it produces head noise. This phenomenon is similar to the sensation nerves elsewhere. If one pinches the skin, it hurts because the stimulated nerves carry pain sensation.
Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like a roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It can affect one or both ears.
Noise-induced hearing loss, the result of damage to the sensory hair cells of the inner ear, is one of the most common causes of tinnitus.
Other causes are usually the result of a number of health conditions, including:
At Apex Audiology, your hearing specialist will help you explore potential causes that are triggering your symptoms of tinnitus.
People who suffer from tinnitus have varying symptoms, but often describe the sounds they perceive in one of three ways:
Tinnitus symptoms can have a grave effect on one’s daily life, and as a result may cause secondary symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and pain. For some people, tinnitus also affects sleep and concentration, or their ability to work and socialize.
At Apex Audiology we have deep compassion for people with tinnitus and thus strive to be a trusted and helpful resource for tinnitus patients. In that regard, we offer several tinnitus treatment options to help patients experience a better quality of life, no matter the degree or severity of their tinnitus.
During your tinnitus consultation, your hearing specialist will go over the various treatment options available and will help you decide which one would best meet your needs and lifestyle. Many of the treatment options available are FDA-approved. To learn more, check out our page on Tinnitus Treatment.
Contact us today for any of your hearing healthcare needs. For your convenience, you may schedule an appointment online or give us a call at (719) 247-9000.
