With so many factors affecting our hearing, it’s crucial to create a provider relationship with a team that embraces technology while putting people first

By Mary Malik

Have you started scheduling all those yearly health checkups for the family? Is a hearing test on the list? Hearing loss is often associated with old age but can start at any age for many different reasons and cause mental and physical issues. If you’re experiencing problems with your hearing, including tinnitus, or are age 50 or over, it’s time to have your hearing checked.

Sounds of Life Hearing Center in Concord is dedicated to your family’s hearing health. As a private audiology practice founded in 2018 by Sarah Curtis, Au.D., this independent practice cares for each individual patient with the treatment and education necessary to have them hearing their best.

“Our focus is on the individual, not on selling a product,” Dr. Curtis says. “Everyone is different, and no resolution is the same. We work hard to find the best possible outcome, because your hearing is as important to us as it is to you.”

Sounds of Life provides specialty care in the following areas:

• Tinnitus diagnosis and rehabilitation
• Pediatric diagnostic audiology and hearing aid services
• Newborn diagnostic hearing tests.
• Auditory processing disorder diagnosis and treatment
• Cochlear implant evaluation and comprehensive non-surgical services
• Neurological audiology (cognitively impaired patients, TBI/head injury patients)
• Evaluation and treatment of differently abled individuals
• Cerumen management (ear cleaning)
• Mobile audiology services

Dr. Curtis, as well as the rest of her team which incudes audiologists, Cara Donovan, Au.D., and Morgan Faldowski,, Au.D., know that you have a choice when it comes to hearing care. We’ve all seen the hearing aid ads on television and news stories announcing that hearing aids can now be purchased over the counter. So why choose Sounds of Life?

“Hearing care is health care that requires dedicated, knowledgeable professionals,” Dr. Curtis says. “Things like hearing loss and tinnitus disrupt daily life and negatively affect mental and physical health. Our goal as partners in your hearing health care is to make a meaningful difference in your life.”

Untreated hearing loss affects quality of life at every age. In infants and children, it can affect language development and learning. In adults, hearing loss is associated with social isolation, physical well-being and cognitive decline.

“If we’re not hearing properly, we can’t engage and learn,” Dr. Donovan says. “We’ll work with you to uncover the cause of your hearing loss, find the best solution, and continue to be your partner as you navigate this journey.”

The most important thing you’ll find at Sounds of Life Hearing is the doctor-patient partnership that is critical in successful treatment of hearing loss.

“We don’t just hand you a hearing aid and hope for the best,” Dr. Curtis says. “Hearing loss, tinnitus and other issues require an educated, dedicated audiologist trained in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing difficulties.”

When hearing aids are appropriate, the audiologists at Sounds of Life have access to all major manufacturers and offer the services, knowledge and continuity of care required to select and fit the proper hearing aids for each individual. An initial hearing test at Sounds of Life includes counseling and education from your audiologist, where options for care are explained.

“We have all the tools necessary in the office in terms of diagnosing your problem,” Dr. Curtis says. “Our pricing is fair, and we won’t settle for anything less than the very best hearing outcomes for every patient.”

Dr. Curtis advises that even if you don’t choose Sounds of Life for your hearing care, be sure to research your choices and choose a well-rounded audiologist.

“Many primary care doctors will tell people, especially the elderly, that hearing loss is normal,” Dr. Curtis says. “Hearing loss is never normal. Don’t let anyone minimize your problem.”

As a cochlear implant specialist, Dr. Donovan works with many children and sees the amazing results of treating a child’s hearing.

“Hearing aids aren’t always enough,” Dr. Donovan says. “Patients don’t have to leave our practice for cochlear implant evaluation and follow-up care. We offer it all right here.”

So, add your hearing test to that list of checkups and see the audiologists at Sounds of Life Hearing Center at their brand new, bright, spacious and family-friendly offices just across the parking lot from the old location.

“We often work with not just the patient but the whole family,” Dr. Curtis says. “Our new offices have space for the kids along with state-of-the-art testing and consultation rooms. And we know treatment of hearing difficulties is not affordable for all, so we offer several programs to assist our patients. Come see us and together we will find your solution to better hearing.”

Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8003 Auburn Road, Suite 4 in Concord. For more information call 440-579-4085 or check the website SoundsOfLifeHC.com.