If you are reading this report, chances are high that you or a loved one are experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss or Tinnitus and need a hearing specialist I applaud you for doing your research, and educating yourself prior to making such an important medical decision. This particular report was written as a helpful guide for you and your family as you begin the journey toward the medical treatment of hearing loss and Tinnitus and finding a local hearing specialist in Maui.
My purpose as a national leader in hearing health care is to improve the lives and protect the brain health of our aging generations so that they may live, engage, and interact with their families, friends, and loved ones for many years to come. My specific specialty, and doctoral degree from a joint Harvard Medical and M.I.T. program, is in Speech and Hearing Bioscience. This focus on neuroscience allows me to provide patients or family members like yourself the medical education and treatment of hearing loss, tinnitus, and the associated cognitive decline…something I believe should be expected from every hearing specialist.
After interacting with hundreds of thousands of patients and family members throughout the world on my national speaking, media, and education tour, I’ve summarized the top ten most important questions to understand before choosing a local specialist for you or a loved ones’ hearing loss or tinnitus treatment.
~Dr. Keith Darrow, Ph.D.
Is The Specialist Near Me a Specialist in Hearing and Tinnitus Treatment?
Tools have never created the skill. They’re simply a conduit teaming with education, talent, experience, and knowledge. Audiology tools have never made a hearing specialist, but when the best tools are in the hands of the best hearing specialist, magic happens. All hearing specialists should be licensed by the state in which they practice, but not all hearing specialists have taken the next step to become members of the Excellence in Audiology network. This organization of hearing health care specialists have both the state-of-the-art tools and proven knowledge to do more than sell you a traditional hearing aid – their comprehensive hearing and cognitive treatment programs improve your hearing and cognitive function so you can maintain your independence longer – that independence is priceless!
In order to be a part of this network, a hearing specialist must be thoroughly tested to demonstrate their knowledge of the audiology system, clinical skills, and judgment. In addition to finding a local Excellence in Audiology specialist, you might consider a specialist who understands the hearing and brain connection as ‘hearing loss’ was recently named the single most modifiable risk factor for the prevention of the mind-robbing disease of Dementia.
Signs of a hearing doctor that specializes:
- Excellence in Audiology Member
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- Incorporates Cognitive Screenings into testing protocols
- Offers Comprehensive Hearing and Cognitive Treatment Programs;
not just traditional hearing aids - Treatment Programs include ongoing education and preventative healthcare.
- Treatment technology is updated over time; without additional fees!
When determining your family’s next hearing health care specialist, I recommend you understand the treatment philosophy and purpose of the founder or specialist. Take the time to research his/her office, treatment team, website, location, and online testimonials and reviews.
Medical-based offices will focus on the signs and symptoms of hearing loss and Tinnitus, the detrimental impact of un-treated and under-treated health conditions. You will notice that medical-based offices include many free reports, books, videos and educational opportunities to learn more about you or a loved ones’ condition. Remember, the educated patient is the best patient.
Sales-based offices will focus on the makes, models, and prices of their traditional hearing aid technologies. I often refer to these providers and offices as ‘widget salesmen’. The word ‘FREE Test-Drive’, ‘FREE Demo’, or ‘Try Before You Buy’ will be on their sales materials and advertising.
Does This Hearing Specialist Focus on Preventative Healthcare?
It might seem strange, but we don’t actually ‘hear’ with our ears. The ears are just a receptor of sound. Sound passes through our auditory nerve and into our brain. The brain is where the speech understanding and cognitive process of deciphering sounds into words takes place.
While words like Dementia, cognitive decline, cognitive overload, progressive degenerative disorders and auditory system damage might seem scary, rest assured a hearing specialist and his/her team who believes in preventative healthcare will undoubtedly be using these words when discussing your hearing and Tinnitus symptoms with you.
Finding a local specialist who focuses on preventative healthcare will make sure you and/or your loved one is not only improving your hearing, but also doing everything possible to reduce the increased risk of cognitive decline and Dementia associated with hearing loss and auditory system damage. Treatment options from an Excellence in Audiology specialist will include the most recent medical treatment of hearing loss, designed with the cognitive (brain) aspects of hearing loss in mind, including restoring the ability to hear in noise, filtering out background sounds, and boosting the soft-speech details needed to understand those around you.
Is the Hearing Specialist Using the Latest Treatment Options?
Modern hearing loss diagnosis and treatment differs a great deal from years past. With the evolution of computer-designed technologies, hearing specialists with the proper equipment will be able to more accurately diagnose, treat, and improve your hearing and cognitive functions.
Modern technologies used by a hearing specialist include:
- Treatment technology focused on restoring stimulation to the brain; improving hearing and reducing tinnitus
- Speech in Noise Testing to determine your ability to hear in noise Cognitive Screening with Cognivue® Equipment
- Pre and Post Treatment Testing to prove your results both in the testing booth and in noise
- Audioscan Verfit2 Real-Ear Measurements to objectively measure the benefit of your new treatment
- Live-Speech Mapping to verify you are hearing the spoken language
- BrainHQ Brain Training Program for ongoing memory and processing speed improvements
- Post treatment education to add more life to your years and prevent further decline
Does the Hearing Specialist Have a Great Reputation?
It might seem strange, but we don’t actually ‘hear’ with our ears. The ears are just a receptor of sound. Sound passes through our auditory nerve and into our brain. The brain is where the speech understanding and cognitive process of deciphering sounds into words takes place.
When it comes to choosing a hearing health care specialist I prefer no other phrase. With the internet today, it is extremely easy to pull up ratings, reviews, and testimonials from other patients. Simply go to Google, Facebook, HealthyHearing, or Yelp and search for audiology reviews in your town. I would recommend choosing the hearing health care specialist with the most reviews at the highest rating. This gives me comfort in knowing that they are busy enough to get the most reviews, and great enough to earn that high 5-star reputation.
At the time of writing this report, every Excellence in Audiology member-clinic has the most 5-Star reviews in their city. No other network of hearing health care specialists even comes close to this number of reviews.
In addition, with the growth of YouTube, many practices now have a YouTube channel full of real life patients on video giving their own personal testimonial about the hearing health care specialist and office. So, remember, trust that your research has fulfilled the first nine questions of this report, but don’t hesitate to verify with real patient review, testimonials and references.
And never be shy about asking for references- and go directly to the source! You have the right to call any hearing health care specialist and ask for a list of references who may be patients and/or local physicians who have volunteered to help advise other patients as they first enter the world of hearing loss and tinnitus treatment.
Closing Letter from Neuroscientist Dr. Keith Darrow
This report should increase your knowledge of hearing health care options and will help you find a hearing doctor.
To accomplish my purpose as a national leader in hearing and brain health care, it is my truly my privilege to do what I love as a neuroscientist, audiologist, and university professor.
Learn more about the medical treatment of hearing loss and Tinnitus by requesting a copy of my best-selling book. You can watch my online educational presentation, or subscribe to my YouTube Channel at www.WatchDrDarrow.com
Yours in Hearing and Cognitive Health,
~Keith Darrow
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Get to Know You & Understand Your Symptoms
Discuss Your Treatment Goals & Medical History
Determine Your Stage of Hearing Loss/Tinnitus
Answer All of Your Questions or Concerns
Begin a Custom Treatment Plan
