Information for Referring Physicians

We Practice with Physicians

We practice alongside the physicians of North Shore Ear, Nose & Throat Associates. When hearing rehabilitation requires medical or surgical intervention, our patients have the opportunity for timely consultation with board-certified otolaryngologists. In addition to hearing-related conditions, the physicians we associate with specialize in nasal/sinus disease, allergies, snoring/sleep apnea, voice/speech/swallowing problems, head and neck cancer, and facial plastic and cosmetic surgery. You can visit their website at http://nsenta.com

Services available to your patients:

• Diagnostic audiometry (using standardized calibrated equipment) measured in a professional sound booth.
• Hearing aids (full services including all types of hearing aids at reasonable costs to your patients).
• Assistive listening devices (when hearing aids aren’t enough or the patient opts not to pusue personal amplification).

When and Why should I refer to the Doctors of Audiology at Sound Choice?

Physicians and staff have referred their patients when:

• Their patient is having obvious difficulty with hearing doctor or staff, or fails a hearing screening.
• Their patient wishes to have their hearing professionally tested by an audiologist.
• There is asymmetrical hearing loss.
• There is sudden onset of vertigo, tinnitus, or other otologic symptom and a hearing test could augment the initial medical diagnosis.
• Their patient would like an opinion regarding hearing aid assistance.

You can feel confident knowing:

• Our audiologists are doctoral-level professionals who are state-licensed and accredited through the American Academy of Audiologists.
• Results and treatment options are thoroughly reviewed with the patient and a complete report will be sent to your office.  

Questions for adult/geriatric patients regarding hearing loss:

Answer the following with either Yes, Sometimes or Never

Does a hearing problem:

1. Cause you to feel embarrassed when you meet new people?
2. Cause you to feel frustrated when talking to members of your family?
3. Cause you difficulty when someone speaks in a whisper?
4. Cause you to feel disabled?
5. Cause you difficulty when visiting friends or relatives?
6. Cause you to avoid going to religious or social events?
7. Cause arguments with family members?
8. Cause difficulty listening to T.V.?
9. Cause you to limit your personal or social life?
10. Cause you difficulty when in a restaurant with relatives or friends?

Tabulate the patient's score using the following scores:

YES = 4 points
SOMETIMES = 2 points
NEVER = 0 points

Summary:

0-8:    No handicap
10-24:    Mild-moderate hearing disability
26-40:    Severe hearing disability

Taken from Ventry & Weinstein (1983) in Guidelines for Audiologic Screening, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Panel on Audiologic Assessment), 1997.

Hearing Aids

We provide a variety of hearing aid brands and types. Our audiologists are trained to select the most appropriate device based on the patient’s listening needs, lifestyle and physical limitations (if any). The audiologists at Sound Choice pride themselves on their years of experience, high-quality products and attentive, customized service.