Page 7 - Kadlec Regional Medical Center | Pacesetter | March 2013
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S
ounds are such a big part of
our lives — children laughing,
conversation, birds chirping, the
warning sound of a car horn. But those
who have difficulty hearing may be
missing out. According to the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association,
28 million people in the United States
are affected by hearing loss.
Recently, Kadlec Clinic Ear, Nose and
Throat added an audiologist to its medical
staff as one more way to assist patients.
Curtis Woolf, AuD, performs
hearing tests to determine the type and
extent of hearing loss and is able to fit
hearing aids. He coordinates his work
with ear, nose and throat specialist
Ryan Leonard, DO, and also works with
primary care physicians.
Woolf also does balance studies
including treatment for benign
paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
and coordinates vestibular therapy with
Kadlec’s Outpatient Therapy Services
when needed.
With the addition of Woolf,
Kadlec Clinic Ear, Nose and Throat is
now able to offer same-day treatment for
BPPV and exams for sudden hearing loss.
“For someone with BPPV, getting
treatment right away is important to
reduce the risk of falls or other types of
injuries,” said Woolf.“There is typically
Sound
waves
Kadlec Clinic Ear, Nose and Throat
audiologist Curtis Woolf, AuD, is trained
to perform a number of important
hearing and balance tests.
a short window for treatment of sudden
hearing loss, so prompt testing is
important. It is a great service to offer
these patients same-day care.”
For more information, call
Kadlec Clinic Ear, Nose and Throat at
(509) 942-3178
, or visit
Hearing aid donation program underway
Curtis Woolf, AuD, of Kadlec Clinic Ear,
Nose and Throat, has started a program
to reuse hearing aids and it is making a
difference.
“People often don’t know what to do
with hearing aids that are no longer in
use,” said Woolf, “so we have begun a
program to refurbish and refit them for
people who aren’t able to get their own.”
Already, Woolf has fit a few school
age children and a veteran from the
community with hearing aids. “It was
really rewarding fitting much needed
hearing aids,” he said.
But the program doesn’t end there.
“We are also putting together a loaner
program for the schools in our region,” he
said. “If a child has a broken hearing aid
that needs repair, we can now lend the
child a loaner hearing aid while they wait
for the repair.”
But to make the program work, Woolf
needs hearing aids.
To donate, drop off used hearing
aids at Kadlec Clinic Ear, Nose and
Throat, 780 Swift Boulevard, Suite 190,
Richland or for more information call
(509) 942-3178
.
WHAT EXACTLY IS
VESTIBULAR THERAPY?
See our online version of
Pacesetter
for an additional
article that explains the
vestibular system, disorders
and how treatment can help.
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