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Let Us Help You Reconnect Your Life WIth Others Through Better Hearing.
When you arrive for your exam, you will be greeted by our wonderful front office staff and asked to fill out a few forms, including those that record your personal information, medical history and verify your insurance. You will also receive a copy of a Notice of Privacy as mandated by law.
As your exam begins, Dr. Martine will review your personal information with you and will ask you some questions that are designed to discover the specific types of environments in which you may be experiencing some difficulty in hearing.
Next, Dr. Martine may look into your ears by using an otoscope. This instrument is used to see the ear canal and the ear drum and whether or not there is ear wax obstructing the canal. Sometimes, Dr. Martine will have a video otoscope so you can see inside your ear as well!
The first test that is conducted is the pure tone hearing test. This is conducted in a quiet environment, sometimes in a soundproof booth. Dr. Martine will place headphones that are connected to an audiometer over your ears. The audiometer transmits a series of tones at a variety of volumes into your ears to determine the exact point or “threshold” at which you can hear various frequencies of sounds. When you hear a sound, you will be asked to push a button or raise your hand.
The next test is the speech test. During this test you will listen to a series of one and two syllable words at different volumes and be asked to repeat them. This will determine the level at which the patient can not only detect, but understand speech.
And finally, another test that may be conducted is a speech in noise test. This test will determine how well you hear in a noisy environment.
The results of your tests will be recorded on a graph called an audiogram, which Dr. Martine will review with you. The audiogram reflects your hearing loss in frequencies and decibels.
Dr. Martine will then decide what the next step is for you based on your results. If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, she might recommend hearing aids, a physician visit, or a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist for more diagnosis.
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See what others are saying...
"I have been a patient of Cathy Martine's since 1990. She has always looked out for my best interest. She has helped to save me money on the purchase of hearing aids. When digital was first starting, she encouraged me to stick with my analog aids due to price concerns. I now have two behind the ear digital aids that are wonderful. Whenever I have any problems with the aids, she and her staff are very helpful in making sure that if repairs need to be made (out of office) that I get a loaner aid so that I can continue my life.
I could not ask for a better doctor/patient relationship. Thanks for everything."
- Steven R. Sharp
"I want to thank everyone at Carolina Hearing Services, Inc. The entire staff was very friendly and most helpful in every possible way. The difference my hearing aids have made in my life is unbelievable. I can hear things I have not been able to hear in a long time, and the hearing aids are easy to wear and are very comfortable.
I recommend Carolina Hearing Services, Inc., for anyone with a hearing loss."
- Barbara McConaughy
"I have been suffering from hearing loss for fifty years---since serving in the Army before the days of ear protection through years of business meetings and public life where speaking and hearing are clearly crucial. Thanks to Catherine's skill and her expert staff, I have a new and fine-tuned set of hearing aids and am acquiring the discipline to recover the joy of hearing. It is actually fun to visit Carolina Hearing for adjustments or batteries and fun conversation as well. Even her three dachshunds are pleasant.
I now have fewer misunderstandings with family and friends; greater enjoyment of concerts, movies, and, yes, even TV; and I don't have to repeatedly say, "Excuse me."
If you have hearing issues, talk to Carolina Hearing about them."
- Alex McMillan