Sounds of Life Hearing is poised at the top of the scope when it comes to diagnosing and treating hearing issues
By Mary Malik
The audiologists at Sounds of Life Hearing Center in Concord Township are committed to providing comprehensive hearing care. With newly acquired equipment and additional training, Doctors of Audiology Sarah Curtis and Cara Donovan offer several specialty care options unique to their practice. They now provide additional essential services to the community along with traditional hearing tests, hearing aid sales and ear cleanings.
“We provide expert specialty care in areas like tinnitus, auditory processing, and cochlear implants,” Dr. Curtis says. “Research shows hearing problems can affect our cognitive and mental health. Hearing care is health care, and we leave no stone unturned.”
Infant Hearing Tests
In spring 2023 Sounds of Life—at its own significant expense—purchased the equipment necessary to conduct hearing testing for newborn babies who fail screenings in the hospital after birth. It is now the only non-hospital practice conducting these tests.
Pediatric specialist Dr. Donovan is excited to add this testing to the established testing and hearing aid services for older babies and children.
“This critical service will significantly improve access to care and lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss,” Dr. Donovan says. “Babies’ brains develop language abilities early and any delay can affect their outcomes.”
Dr. Curtis says that right now, families in Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties must travel to Cleveland and Beachwood for these tests and there is often a long waiting list.
“These inconveniences can lead to delays in diagnosis or failure of families to follow up at all,” Dr. Curtis says. “Having this testing in Concord will be most helpful for families in Ashtabula County who had to travel up to 90 minutes to the closest test facility.”
Tinnitus
Dr. Curtis is a Certificate Holder in Tinnitus Management. Tinnitus is sound heard by a person that is not generated by an outside source. It can be intermittent or constant. The causes vary but it is ultimately related to damage to the ear caused by hearing loss, loud noise exposure, illness or a toxic medication or substance exposure.
“Though many have tinnitus, it is only bothersome for some,” says Dr. Curtis. “I have tinnitus myself, which helps me relate better to my patients. Many are told by health professionals to ‘learn to live with’ tinnitus, and though there isn’t a cure, there are treatments.”
Dr. Curtis advises the first step to tinnitus treatment is a hearing test.
Auditory Processing Disorders
An auditory processing disorder (APD) occurs when the ear hears normally but the sounds are misinterpreted by the brain. It is not a reflection of intelligence, can occur at any age, and can be developmental or caused by illness or injury such as a head injury. Though experienced in diagnosis of APD, Dr. Curtis is currently completing training to provide “auditory training” (APD therapy) and will be the only Ohio audiologist trained to do so.
“APD can look like poor hearing, inattention, trouble reading, or inability to follow directions,” Dr. Curtis says. “Accurate diagnosis can provide an answer to why a person struggles to understand. Now, with ADP therapy, I can train their brain to process speech more efficiently and clearly.”
Sounds of Life is providing evidence-based care at the “top of the scope” for audiology. The team is proud to be a community-centered practice committed to excellence and comprehensive patient care.
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.