Lake Michigan Hearing Center
Dr. Thompson, Dr. Bovenkerk and Audiologist Cathleen Burns and the Lake Michigan Hearing Center team collaborate to diagnose and treat hearing problems for people of every age.
Hearing loss can occur at any stage of life, and can be caused by a variety of conditions such as exposure to loud noise at work or as a result of aging. Hearing loss is also a symptom or side effect of more than 100 diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.
If you think you may have hearing loss, only an ear, nose and throat specialist working with a certified audiologist can diagnose the exact cause and provide medically sound treatment, including a hearing aid if one is necessary.
Children
Hearing loss occurs in children for a variety of reasons, including childhood infections or illnesses the mother had while pregnant. See our FAQ for more causes of hearing loss in children. Newborns, infants, toddlers and older children each show a variety of signs of hearing loss depending on their age, including not responding to unexpected loud noises, not understanding simple phrases and having problems with reading, spelling and math. See our FAQ for a complete list of symptoms of hearing loss in children.
Adults
Adults with hearing loss also show signs, including asking for repetition, difficulty hearing in groups or even in quiet settings, playing the TV or radio too loudly or having a ringing or buzzing in one or both ears. See our FAQ for more signs of hearing loss in adults.
What to do
If these describe recent changes in your behavior or your child’s behavior, make an appointment with Audiologist Cathleen Burns to evaluate your hearing. If a medical evaluation is needed, she will refer you to Dr. Thompson or Dr. Bovenkerk. Encourage a friend or loved one to have their hearing checked if they exhibit signs of hearing loss. Cathleen dispenses the following types of hearing aid: Phonak and Micro-Tech.
If a hearing aid is recommended, there are several types to precisely fit your hearing loss and lifestyle.
Types of hearing aids:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) – The components of this hearing aid fit in a small case worn behind the ear that is connected to a custom-fit ear mold.
- In-the-ear (ITE) – These custom instruments fit entirely in the outer portion of the ear.
- In-the-canal (ITC) – Smaller than ITE, these custom instruments fit entirely in the ear canals.
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) – These smallest, custom instruments fit deep into the ear canals.
- The BAHA – These partially implantable aids are for single-sided deafness.
- Post auricular canal (PAC)/SeboTek – Combines the benefits of the BTE and the CIC hearing aids.
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