Here’s how Sounds of Life Hearing can help you to hear better, longer

By Mary Malik

See us first.” That’s the advice Sarah Curtis, Au.D., founder of Sounds of Life Hearing, gives to anyone experiencing hearing difficulties or who has a child or loved one they suspect isn’t hearing well.

“Everyone sees specialists for different health concerns,” Dr. Curtis says. “Whether it’s teeth, eyes, heart or another specific issue, we see the healthcare professional who specializes in that area because they offer the appropriate care for the best possible outcome. Hearing is no different.”

As audiologists at Sounds of Life Hearing, Dr. Curtis and Dr. Cara Donovan specialize in comprehensive hearing care and management. This includes hearing evaluations and screenings, hearing aids, cochlear implant evaluation and care, tinnitus treatment, wax removal and more for all ages.

“From birth to old age, our hearing should be monitored for changes,” Dr. Curtis says. “Hearing deficits can lead to language and learning delays in children and to signs of dementia and social isolation in adults and the elderly. It’s sad to see patients who have been suffering with poor hearing and missing out on life. The good news is, we can help.”

And just as there are many reasons why people have hearing loss, there are many solutions to addressing it. Dr. Curtis and Dr. Donovan evaluate each patient, follow the highest standards of audiology practice and find the right solution through a personalized care approach.

Here’s a peek into conditions that Sounds of Life Hearing treats and the services they offer.

In your monthly Mimi, you’ll find articles about each topic from Dr. Curtis and Dr. Donovan covering each one—and more—in greater depth.

Hearing Screening and Evaluation
Sounds of Life tailors every adult hearing screening to the patient based on family history, risk factors, lifestyle, current hearing loss and other factors. “We receive referrals for pediatric hearing evaluations for reasons such as a failed hearing screening, difficulty with speech and language, and ear infections. Children require specialized tests and treatment in which our audiologists, Dr. Curtis and Dr. Donovan, have training and experience. Early this summer, we will also be able to do the follow-up diagnostic testing for newborns if they fail their hospital screening.

We also have experience working with the special needs community,” Dr. Donovan says. “It’s important for these families to find caring professionals who cater to their specific care requirements.”

Hearing Aids
Sounds of Life audiologists will test and fit patients with the latest hearing aid technology, then work closely with them to be sure they are getting the best results.

“We offer fair rates for all of our services, testing and hearing aids,” Dr. Curtis says. “We don’t offer a free hearing test, then charge an exorbitant fee for the hearing aid. No pair of hearing aids should ever cost much more than $6,000. We price fairly, the majority of cost from what the manufacturer charges us, and the service costs are excellent considering the quality and outcomes of services provided. Our only interest is your health. We are trained healthcare professionals, not hearing aid salespeople. Here, you’ll get a proper diagnosis, the best hearing aid for your needs and continued support to keep you hearing your best.”

Sounds of Life will clean any brand of hearing aid you already have or reprogram a brand unless the manufacturer has “locked” your particular software. Call the office for more information.

Pediatric Hearing Health
Dr. Cara Donovan specializes in pediatric hearing and has created a pediatric program to address all of a child’s needs while also training parents in hearing aid management when necessary.

“It’s rewarding working with children and seeing them grow and gain confidence and skills once their hearing improves,” Dr. Donovan says. “It’s a family issue and parents must be trained and involved for the most positive outcomes.”

Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants have been thought to be reserved for people with significant hearing loss. Dr. Curtis and Dr. Donovan say that isn’t true anymore. If your hearing aids aren’t helping enough and you still struggle to hear and understand, it may be time to consider a cochlear implant.

“Medicare is also more open to covering cochlear implants much earlier,” Dr. Curtis says. “The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and the earlier the better. The less time the brain is deprived of quality hearing, the more successful the outcome. We have patients in their 90s doing very well with implants.”

Sounds of Life refers patients for the actual implant procedure, but is your partner in follow-up care and management.

“There are no cookie-cutter solutions to hearing loss,” Dr. Curtis says. “Many people avoid treatment because they don’t want a hearing aid or implant. Come see us first. We’ll evaluate you and together we’ll get you on a path to better hearing.”

Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8007 Auburn Road, Suite 1, in Concord Township. For more information call 440-579-4085or check the website SoundsOfLifeHC.com.