Here’s how Sounds of Life Hearing Center can help to improve your hearing and your life
By Mary Malik
There is so much to learn about the relationship between our hearing and our overall health. There are no better teachers than the Doctors of Audiology at Sounds of Life Hearing Center in Concord Township.
“It is important to remember that hearing is part of our overall health and to incorporate hearing care into regular healthcare says founder Sarah Curtis, Au.D.
In their practice, Dr. Curtis and Dr. Cara Donovan stress the importance of treating each patient individually and take time to understand each patient’s unique history to treat them correctly.
Dr. Curtis says that there is a range of “normal” hearing and obtaining a baseline in adulthood is critical. She describes it as like our body temperature. For some, 98.6 degrees is normal; for others that may be high or low.
Per Dr. Curtis, there are many health conditions and environmental influences that impact our hearing. “Cardiovascular health, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid issues, chemotherapy and radiation, IV antibiotics and autoimmune conditions can all affect hearing,” says Dr. Curtis. “Also, environmental things like continual exposure to loud noise or even a single gunshot when hunting can affect hearing. Any change in hearing or ringing in the ears needs immediate attention.”
“This is why a baseline test is so important before problems start,” says Dr. Donovan. “It helps provide a better understanding of current function, the impact of health conditions, and a starting point in case there are changes in the future.
“Not all hearing care and treatments are the same,” says Dr. Donovan. “I joined Dr. Curtis because she follows the highest standards of practice for audiology to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. This personalized approach results in more immediate success for patients. From infants through adulthood, we offer complete hearing evaluation and treatment, from basic screenings and wax removals to tinnitus treatment, and comprehensive hearing aid and cochlear implant care and management,”
One goal Dr. Curtis had when opening her own practice was to offer best-practice pediatric services and bringing Dr. Donovan on board improved the practice’s ability. “We work with schools to perform baseline hearing testing and with pediatricians who refer children for things like speech delay, multiple ear infections and other issues that may cause hearing deficits. It’s important to address these things early,” says Dr. Donovan.
Sounds of Life feels that understanding how the brain understands what we hear is critical to helping patients achieve their best outcomes. Dr. Curtis and Dr. Donovan are both specially trained in the hearing and cognition connection. In recent years, studies have supported that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Many of the risk factors for dementia are things we cannot change,” says Dr. Curtis. “But of the things that can be modified, like diet, smoking and exercise, researchers have found hearing loss is number one. Poor hearing results in depression, anxiety, and social isolation. We can help slow that decline.”
Sounds of Life provides comprehensive hearing care and is far more than a simple shop for hearing aids where everyone gets the same treatment.
“Proper rehabilitation of hearing loss involves the brain relearning how to hear and it takes some time for patients to adjust,” says Dr. Curtis. “We are with you every step of the way. We will discuss what you can manage financially, physically, and emotionally. Our value is in the services we provide. Don’t let anything hold you back from improving your hearing.”
Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8007 Auburn Road, Suite 1 in Concord Township. For more information call 440-579-4085 or check the website SoundsOfLifeHC.com.