Understanding Your Hearing Loss
The Marion Downs Hearing Center provides diagnostic and rehabilitation services for patients of all ages. Every evaluation is completed using state of the art equipment and techniques. Rehabilitation includes medical intervention when necessary, the selection, fitting, and verification of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, cochlear implants, and Aural Rehabilitation classes.
What Should You Know About Hearing Loss?
More than 28 million people in the United States have some degree of hearing loss. 80% of these hearing losses are irreversible. Hearing loss is invisible and almost always painless. There are no physical warning signs. Hearing loss may develop over a period of 25 to 30 year; however, some individuals are born with hearing loss or acquire hearing loss at a young age. For those who develop hearing loss over time, it may be a very gradual process.
If you suspect you may have hearing loss, an appointment should be made with an audiologist at the Marion Downs Hearing Center for a complete evaluation and consultation. This evaluation is a covered benefit by most medical insurance policies. If you are diagnosed with a hearing loss, you will be given information regarding rehabilitation options including hearing aid and amplification options.
Amplification Options
Hearing Aids
A hearing aid is an electronic device that amplifies sounds. You must have some ability to hear for the hearing aid to work properly. Hearing loss affects people in different ways. Your audiologist will discuss the different styles and options available and will help you with the selection of the proper hearing aid/s specific to your hearing loss. The Marion Downs Hearing Center carries many different brands and levels of technology. There are several technologies available in hearing aids including conventional analog, programmable analog, and digital. Your needs and preferences are unique and your audiologist will help you navigate your options. Your decision should be based on current data regarding your hearing loss (type, degree and configuration) and future audiological needs. Our audiologists are experienced in fitting and validating the various hearing aid technologies for adults and children of all ages.
Assistive Listening Technology
Your audiologist may recommend the use of additional amplification options, including FM systems or assistive telephone equipment. Such options allow you to access specific sound sources more directly, improving your ability to hear in the presence of noise. If it is determined that hearing aids are not providing adequate amplification for you to hear spoken language, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant.
Services For Children
We provide comprehensive management of children who are deaf or hard of hearing with a nationally recognized multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals. Each child's needs are evaluated and information and choices are given to parents to implement a comprehensive follow-up plan. Children can receive a hearing test at any age, beginning at birth. At the University of Colorado Hospital, newborns are screened for hearing loss using automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) testing. Infants who require follow-up tsting are assessed utilizing the following techniques: otoacoustic emissions (OAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR), and auditory steady state response (ASSR). At approximately six months of age, children are tested primarily with behavioral techniques. These techniques include visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA), conditioned play audiometry (CPA), and standard audiometric testing. On occasion, it may be necessary to perform ABR and/or ASSR testing under sedation, which can be arranged in our facility.
Multidisciplinary Team
Audiologists:
Sandra Gabbard, PhD
Barbara Bell, AuD
Shannon Burns, AuD
Karen Carpenter, MA
Stacy Claycomb, AuD
Tammy Fredrickson, MS
Ginny Kitch Lupo, MS
Ron Olson, MS
Darcy Strong, AuD
Kathleen Zaccaro, MA
Otologists:
Steve Cass, MD
Carol Foster, MD
Herman Jenkins, MD
Psychologist:
Robin Santa-Teresa, PsyD
Speech-Language Pathologists:
Nanette Thompson, MA
Arlene Stredler Brown, MA
Clinic Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:30 - 4:30pm
Insurance Plans:
University of Colorado Hospital accepts a wide variety of insurance plans including Managed Care, Medicaid and Medicare. Please call to request a current list.
Contact Information:
Phone: (720) 848-2800
Fax: (720) 848-2811
Email: marion.downs@uch.edu
