Preserve your quality of life

This ebook discusses how hearing works, the causes and consequences of hearing loss, treatments available, and how healthy hearing helps reduce cognitive decline and dementia. Topics include:

  • How we hear
  • Causes of hearing loss
  • Types of hearing loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Do you have a problem hearing?
  • Three life-changing consequences of hearing loss
  • Preserve your hearing for a healthy brain
  • Introduction to hearing aids
  • Types of hearing aids
Learn the facts about hearing loss and preserve your quality of life.

Do you have hearing loss?

Don’t guess. Find out. Call 708-599-9500 to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist.

If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain
● How much hearing you've lost
● Whether your hearing needs treatment now or later
● The most effective treatment plan

Call 708-955-9500 to schedule your hearing screening.

Big Box Hearing-Aid Remorse

If you're considering buying hearing aids from a big-box retailer because of their brand recognition or lower prices, you may want to think again.

Our guide reveals the potential pitfalls of choosing big-box hearing care, including

  • Limited access to audiologists for proper testing, fitting, and follow-up care
  • Outdated hearing-aid technology repackaged as new at discounted prices
  • No or very limited choice of hearing-aid brands and models
  • Locked hearing aids that restrict service options while traveling or want to switch providers
  • Long wait times and service delays
Before you decide, understand the risks — and why Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers offers superior hearing care.

Early intervention for hearing loss is key

"It's important for your sense of hearing to be as robust as possible, just like it is for your vision," says John Kveton, MD, chief of Yale Medicine Otology & Neurotology and Skull-Base Surgery. Because hearing loss is associated with social withdrawal, cognitive decline, and even dementia, it's important to talk to a specialist even if your hearing loss is mild, notes Dr. Kveton. —Medical Press, January 14, 2022

Hear life to the fullest

Our 4-step process for regaining your hearing ensures your investment in hearing aids not only performs to your expectations, but also saves you time and money.

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Step 1 - Hearing Screening

This free, 15-minute office visit determines the amount of hearing loss you have if any.

Your audiologist with discuss the results with you and recommend any follow-up actions. For example, it is always smart for adults 60 and older to schedule an annual hearing screening.

To schedule your screening, call 708-599-9500.

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Step 2 - Hearing Analysis

Suppose your hearing screening reveals a clinically significant hearing loss. In that case, a comprehensive hearing analysis is needed to diagnose the type and extent of the hearing loss.

A comprehensive hearing analysis takes approximately an hour to complete.

After this, you’ll discuss the sound environments and activities you experience so your audiologist understands your lifestyle and the typical hearing challenges you encounter.

If your hearing loss is treatable with hearing aids, then your audiologist will review the types, styles, and prices with you. Having a choice of hearing-aid brands and models is vital because there are many performance qualities and features to consider.

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We offer a wide range of high-performance brands and models so you can be confident we will find the right match for your needs. We partner with the top digital, hearing-aid designers — Oticon, Widex, Phonak, ReSound, Siemens, Starkey. Choice makes certain that you get the right hearing aids for your specific needs.

The next step is a deposit on your hearing aids. We will also forward your hearing analysis to your physician to be sure you are medically fit for hearing aids.

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Step 3 - Hearing-Aid Fitting

About two or three weeks after your hearing analysis, your audiologist will “fit” your hearing aids. When audiologists fit hearing aids, they tune the digital intelligence of hearing aids to match the hearing analysis and lifestyle demands of the user.

Next, your clinician, with your help, will thoroughly test your hearing aids to be sure you get the performance you expected. At this time, the balance owing on your hearing aids is due.

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Step 4 - Hearing with Confidence

Our service plan gives you a 45-day hearing-aids trial. During this time, your audiologist will fine-tune your hearing aids to make sure you get the hearing you expected, and answer all your questions and
concerns.

What happens if I’m not satisfied?
If you’re not satisfied, you can return your hearing aids within the 45-day trial period. You will receive a refund excluding the cost of the professional services (the time spent with you during the trial period). Any accessories purchased (e.g., batteries, ear-mold impressions) are not refundable.

What about ongoing service costs?
Generally, the first year of visits for care, instruction, and repairs are included in the cost of mid-level hearing aids and for the first two years of high-performance hearing aids. Your audiologist will carefully review the service details of your hearing aids with you.

Do hearing aids require semi-annual maintenance?
Yes. There is no charge for this service if your hearing aids are under warranty. If they are out of warranty, there will be a charge for maintenance and any required
repairs.

Our Audiologists

Christine E. Bartelt, Au.D.

Crest Hill office | 630-633-5060 | Email

Education
University of Arizona, B.S.
University of Arizona, Au.D.

Christina Brand, Au.D.

Crest Hill office | 630-633-5060 | Email

Education
Radford University, B.S.
Radford University, M.S.
A.T. Still University, Au.D.

Nahlah Floyd, Au.D.

Palos Hills office | 708-599-9500 | Email

Education
Missouri State University, B.S.
Northwestern University, Au.D.

Victoria C. Frank, Au.D.

Palos Hills office | 708-599-9500 | Email

Education
Augustana College, B.S.
Northwestern University, Au.D.

Nicole N. Kreps, Au.D.

Palos Hills office | 708-599-9500 | Email

Education
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, B.S.
Washington University, M.S.
Arizona School of Health Sciences, Au.D.

Tom Wardzala, Au.D., P.A.S.C.

Palos Hills office | 708-599-9500 | Email

Education
Northwestern University, B.S.
Northwestern University, M.A.
Arizona School of Health Sciences, Au.D.
American Board of Audiology, Pediatric Audiologist Specialty Certificate

My daughter has been seeing Christina Woodall for many years. We are more than happy with her. Marilyn Ansonia, who works at the front desk has always gone out-of-her way to assist us.

Anonymous quality-of-service questionnaire

They were able to accommodate us and give us an appointment the day we had asked for. We thought that was just great! The doctor was thorough. It was a blessing!

Eric P. of Palos Hills, IL

Very down to earth and put things in terms that were easy to understand. Very sweet and nice too.

Brandon K. of La Grange, IL

Very informative! They did a great job, in a very timely manner.

Bernard E. of Orland Park, IL

My whole experience went well. All questions were answered. Explanations were easy to understand.

Anonymous quality-of-service questionnaire

They were very kind and patient with me.

Laura K. of Lemont, IL

Schedule a Free Hearing Screening

Hearing screenings are free for anyone 21 and older, and audiologists perform them at Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers. Even if you think you haven’t lost any hearing, you might have. Now is the time to find out because untreated hearing loss can lead to dementia. To schedule a hearing screening, call 708-599-9500.

Newsletter

Our team of audiologists and speech-language pathologists reviews the latest research and summarizes it for you. We publish our newsletter eight times a year. You'll learn about —

● Hearing aids
● Dementia triggered by hearing loss
● Pediatric speech and hearing
● Speech-language therapies
● LSVT and Parkinson's Voice therapies
● Occupational-hearing conservation

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers
is a 501(c)(3). EIN: 36-2882864.

© 2024, Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers

Professional Services
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Crest Hill
P 630-633-5060
F 630-633-5064

Palos Hills
P 708-599-9500
F 708-599-2791

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