HIGHER SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS
Higher Systems Diagnostics provides hearing aid services utilizing the hearing aid company, Sonic. Having the ability to hear allows us to communicate, socialize, and alert us of danger. Higher Systems Diagnostics also provide testing services for balance, inner ear and other higher level auditory/ vestibular function evaluation.
If left untreated, hearing loss can cause:
- depression
- loneliness
- tension and anger
- accidents
- avoidance of social situations
A more thorough evaluation inner ear/ balance disorder through testing will assist in proper medical management of balance disorder whether they are related to the inner ear or not, to assist in the prevention of falls and improvement of function and quality of life of the dizzy patient.
Our audiologist, Lisa Skold, MS can provide you with inner ear and balance testing services as well as hearing aids that are programmed for your individual hearing needs.
Higher Systems Diagnostics has two convenient locations:
- 650 Park Street, Honesdale, PA
- 184 Route 6 & 209, Milford, PA
Office hours are by appointment ONLY:
- Monday in Westfall 9 am to 5 pm
- Tuesday and Wednesday 8 am to 5 pm
- Balance testing services are also provided one Thursday per month 8 am to 1 pm
Please call 570-253-9100 to schedule your appointment. Higher Systems Diagnostics is an affiliate of Tricounty Ear, Nose and Throat, PC. Audiologist, Lisa Skold, has worked with Otolaryngologist, Dr. Liu since November 2000. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Disorders from Pennsylvania State University and her Masters of Science degree from Gallaudet University. Mrs. Skold is a member of the American Academy of Audiology.
Services available through Higher Systems Diagnostics are:
- Audiologic Evaluation - a test designed to check how well one hears.
- Videonystagmography (VNG) - a test that determines how well eyes, inner ear, and vestibular nerve are maintaining balance. Often called the "dizziness test."
- Brainstem Evoked Response (BSER or ABR) - a test using electrodes to determine the function of the auditory (hearing) nerve.
- Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) - a specific test of the inner ear to determine its response to sound.
- Gans Sensory Organization Performance Test (SOP)
FAQs about hearing and hearing aids
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Some of the common symptoms are:
- difficulty following conversation involving two or more people
- people appears to be mumbling
- ringing in ears (tinnitus)
- others are complaining that you are not listening or the television is too loud
- difficulty hearing women's or children's voices
Can hearing loss be only due to wax in the ear canal?
Yes, Wax (cerumen) can be the sole cause of a temporary hearing loss and once removed, hearing is restored. However, most of the time, there is underlying hearing loss even though significant amount of wax obstructing the ear canal has been removed and the patient experience subjective improvement of hearing.
If I purchase a hearing aid, will it make the ringing (tinnitus) in my ears louder?
No, it should not and often times the opposite effect occurs. Oftentimes, hearing aid user are less aware of their tinnitus when using the hearing aid; for many patients, using their hearing aid seems to diminish and sometimes eliminate the awareness of tinnitus, by their brain refocusing their attention to the amplified sounds. However, once you remove your hearing aids out of your ears, the ringing may appear to be louder. This is because you were less aware and heard the ringing less while wearing your hearing aids.
Why does a hearing aid whistle (feedback)?
There are two kinds of feedback - internal and external. With internal feedback, something may be wrong with your hearing aid requiring repair from the hearing aid company. There are a few reasons why you have external feedback. It is common to hear the whistle while inserting or removing the hearing aid. Also, if the hearing aid does not properly fit in you ear, you may have feedback. Occasionally, wax can be the cause of the hearing aid whistling.
If I purchase hearing aids, will I have a trial period?
Yes. In the state of Pennsylvania, you are required to have at least a 30 day trial period. Most places will refund your money minus a fitting fee. This is usually decided upon or before the purchase of a hearing aid, but read the fine print of your contract.
How long do hearing aids last?
On average, a hearing aid will last about five years. If the hearing aid is older then 5 years and in need of repair, the hearing aid company may not have the necessary parts to fix it. Therefore, it would be necessary to purchase a new hearing aid.
Why are two hearing aids better than one hearing aid?
Wearing two hearing aids gives you maximum benefit by:
- better localization - being able to locate where sounds are coming from
- better hearing in noisy environment
- more balance and natural hearing with two ears than one ear
- brain is receiving information from both sides helping you process speech effectively
Someone I know bought hearing aids but does not use them.
Unfortunately this happens. Everyone's hearing/ hearing loss is different. Sometimes, people have unrealistic expectations of hearing aid benefits. A hearing aid will not restore your hearing to normal, but it will help you hear better than without one. Wearing hearing aids takes time. You may need to see your audiologist weekly to have adjustments made to your hearing aids. But with the right attitude, it will be worth the investment, and you will be wondering why you didn't get hearing aids sooner.