Hearing Aids
Hearing Testing and Services
Cochlear Implants
Comprehensive Speech/ Language Services for Auditory Disorders
Balance and Vestibular Services
Office Locations and Audiologists
Scheduling an Appointment

Hearing Aids [ top ]

45-day no risk trial period

All Major Brands
We service all brands of hearing aids and provide the most appropriate digital technology hearing aids for the patient's unique needs.

Hearing Aid Services

• Check and cleaning
• Repair and service
• Evaluation
• Batteries or Battery Bank Program
• Miscellaneous supplies (i.e. battery testers, listening stethoscopes, earmold blowers, lubricants, phone couplers, etc.)
• Earmolds

Audiological Testing and Services [ top ]
Our Doctors of Audiology and Certified Licensed Audiologists perform all clinical procedures.

What is an Audiologist?

• An audiologist is a professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders.
• An audiologist holds master or doctoral degrees from accredited universities with special training in identification, assessment, prevention, and non-medical treatment of hearing and balance disorders.

What does an Audiologist do?

• Tests and diagnoses hearing and balance disorders in infants, children, and adults.
• Checks for medically-related hearing problems.
• Selects, fits, and dispenses hearing aids and assistive listening devices.
• Educates consumers and professionals on the prevention of hearing loss.
• Consults for hearing conservation programs in industry to prevent work-related and recreational hearing loss.

Full range of testing for hearing and balance for all age patients

• Audiological evaluations
• Hearing Test
• Hearing Aid Evaluation
• Tympanometry
• Acoustic Reflex
• Inspection of eardrums
• Removal of ear wax
• CAP - Central Auditory Processing
• Evoked Potentials
• ABR - Auditory Brainstem Response
• OAE - Otoacoustic Emissions
• ENG - Electronystagmography/ VNG - videonystagmography
• Balance Testing
• Vestibular Evaluations (re: Dizziness, vertigo)
• Tinnitus evaluations
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Cochlear Implant Evaluation and mapping

Other Services

• ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES
• Amplified telephones
• Pocket Talkers
• Television Ears
• Earmolds (standard and specialty)
• Custom swim plugs
• Noise protection
• Ear plugs
• Sound attenuators
• Musician ear plugs
• Hearing conservation

COCHLEAR IMPLANTS [ top ]

The Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks is home to Idaho’s first and only cochlear implant center.

What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that provides the function of damaged or absent hair cells in the inner ear by providing electrical stimulation to the remaining nerve fibers. The implant provides useful hearing and improved communication abilities to the implant user. A cochlear implant is a safe, reliable and effective treatment for severe to profound hearing loss in adults and children. There are currently over 40,000 implant users worldwide. How does a cochlear implant work?

• Sounds are picked up by the small, directional microphone located in the headset at the ear.
  
• A thin cord carries the sound from the microphone to the speech processor, a powerful miniaturized computer.
  
• The speech processor filters, analyzes and digitizes the sound into coded signals.
  
• The coded signals are sent from the speech processor to the transmitting coil.
  
• The transmitting coil sends the coded signals as FM radio signals to the cochlear implant under the skin.
  
• The cochlear implant delivers the appropriate electrical energy to the array of electrodes, which has been inserted into the cochlear.
  
• The electrodes along the array stimulate the remaining auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea.
  
• The resulting electrical sound information is sent through the auditory system to the brain for interpretation.
  
  

Comprehensive Speech/ Language Services for Auditory Disorders

In addition to the comprehensive Audiology and Balance services we offer, The Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks also offers comprehensive evaluations and treatments for speech and/or language disorders related to hearing problems.  Our team of experienced Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists work together to develop and implement treatment plans for auditory rehabilitation for all age patients ranging from newborns diagnosed with hearing loss, toddlers and adolescents with ear and hearing impairments, to seniors who are managing progressive hearing loss.

Some of the services available are:

• Audiological evaluations
• Speech and Language Assessment related to Hearing Disorders
  
• Treatment for Speech and Language Disorders related to Hearing Disorders
  
• Auditory Training for Children and Adults with Cochlear Implants
  
• Auditory Training for Children and Adults with        Hearing Aids
  
• Auditory Training for children with Chronic Middle Ear Disease (otitis media)
  
• Speech Articulation Therapy
  
• Treatment for Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD)
  
• Parent Education and Training (Guidance)
  
• Consultation with Schools

Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation Services [ top ]

Do You Suffer From:

• Dizziness or vertigo?
  
• Balance problems?
  
• Unsteadiness with a tendency to fall?
  
• Nausea?
  
• Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)?
  
• Light headedness?
  
• Blurred vision?
  
• Pressure or fullness in the ear or head?
  
• Tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ear)?
  
• Hearing loss?

These are symptoms of vestibular disorders. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should consult your physician. Vestibular Rehabilitation may be helpful to you.

Dizziness is Not Unusual.
It is the second most common complaint heard by physicians. Much of the time the cause is an inner ear, or vestibular system, disorder. When the vestibular system is not functioning properly, dizziness or vertigo and loss of balance can occur. Loss of balance can create significant disability that can interfere with your ability to enjoy life. It can even lead to serious injury because people who experience dizziness or vertigo are more likely to fall. A fall can cause a fear of falling again, leading to decreased activity and loss of strength, flexibility and mobility, which makes another fall, and potential injury, more likely.

Balance problems can also be caused by head injury, orthopedic conditions, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, as well as other medical and neurological conditions.

The Vestibular System lies within your inner ear. It helps to control eye movement and body position, and helps you maintain your equilibrium. There are over 200 conditions which may produce symptoms of dizziness. To help your physician determine the cause of your problem, you should have a comprehensive evaluation. Then an effective treatment program can be developed for you.

The Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks can provide a comprehensive evaluation of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance. Our multi-disciplinary team uses the same state-of-the-art equipment developed by NASA to evaluate and treat the astronauts’ balance problems after they return to earth. Equipment called the Smart Equitest uses computer technology to measure how well the eyes, the inner ear and the muscles and joints are working together in your body to maintain balance.

Further assessment of strength, walking, balance skills and movement tolerance by a physical therapist can also identify problems that could affect your balance.

An audiologist can perform electrophysiological tests that measure your eye movements related to dizziness. This provides information about the inner ear, eye movements, and the nervous system. Since people with inner ear problems can experience hearing loss, an audiologist may also evaluate your hearing.

Treatment for dizziness and balance problems is prescribed by your physician following diagnosis of specific condition or disease. Medical or surgical treatment is required for some diagnoses, however, many conditions improve with specialized physical therapy. This treatment, called Rehabilitative Balance Therapy, uses exercises designed to significantly reduce the severity of dizziness or balance problems and help you learn to compensate for your balance disorder.

Balance and Vestibular work-ups at the Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks may include:

Audiological Services Comprehensive Speech/Language Services for Auditory Disorders

• Electronystagmography (ENG) / Videonystoagmography (VNG)
• Evoked potentials (ABR/ VEMP)
• Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR)
• Diagnostic Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Physical Therapy

• Vestibular/balance assessment
• Computerized Dynamic Posturography
• (CDP) using the Smart Balance Master
• Rehabilitative Balance Therapy
• Comprehensive Physical Therapy
• Evaluation and Treatment

Is a Physician's Referral Needed to Receive Therapy?
Yes. There are many causes of dizziness and not all of them result from vestibular deficits. That is why it is critical that you have a medical evaluation before you begin a therapy program. You may be referred by your family physician or a specialist.

Need to know more?
Please visit one of our four convenient Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks locations!

Office Locations and Professional Staff [ top ]

Boise
510 N. 2nd Street, Suite 201
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 489-4999 or 1-800-835-4514

Michael Sturmak, M.S., CCC-A FAAA Director
Erika Blanchard, M.S., CCC-A FAAA Clinic Manager
Alison Cox, Au.D., CCC-A FAAA
Jenna Hoffman, AuD.
Jess Stich-Hennen, AuD.
Karrie Weightman, AuD.


Gayle Hynes, PT, Balance Program manager
Stephen Price, PT
Jill Galanter, PT
Ashley Scholes, PTA
Susie Jones, SLP

Meridian
520 S. Eagle Road, Ste. 1225
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 489-5999 or 1-877-688-0026

Debbie Baerlocher, Au.D., CCC-A FAAA Clinic Manager
April Fagerson, M.S., CCC-A
Shannon Gower, Au.D.

Dayna Olson, PT
Linda Owen, COMT

Nampa
220 10th Ave. South
Nampa, ID 83651
(208) 489-5950

April Ward, M.S., CCC-A FAAA Clinic Manager
Paul Lancaster, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
Laurie Stucki, Au.D., FAAA

Carmen Schmidt, PT
Jennifer Steiner, PT

Ontario
1159 SW 4th Ave
Ontario, OR 97914
(541) 881-0970

Christine Wallace, Au.D., CCC-A

To make an appointment or for more information [ top ]

Boise
Phone: (208) 489-4999
Meridian
Phone: (208) 489-5999
Nampa
Phone: (208) 489-5950
Ontario
Phone: (541) 881-0971