Diagnostic Hearing Assessments
We independently test each part of the ear in order to determine if a hearing loss is present. This enables us to correctly identify the cause of the hearing loss, severity, as well as plan for appropriate treatment.
Auditory Processing Assessments for School Aged Children Following a Diagnostic Assessment
This is to determine auditory processing skills and provides information on how the brain processes what we hear.
Fully Mobile Audiology Service
Let the audiologist come to you. Candice van Heerden Audiology has fully mobile audiological equipment and is able to provide all services to our patients from the comfort of their own home.
School-Based Hearing Screening
We will test children’s hearing at school in order to identify learners with possible hearing difficulty. In the case that a child is identified to have a possible hearing problem, the child is referred for a diagnostic hearing evaluation to determine the possible cause and type of hearing loss.
Children identified with middle ear problems will be referred to either the GP or the ENT depending on the severity and history.
Children identified with middle ear problems will be referred to either the GP or the ENT depending on the severity and history.
Industrial Screening
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2003, it is required that all employees working in a noisy environment, at commencement of employment, obtain a baseline audiogram by a qualified person. Thereafter, a yearly screening audiogram should be obtained to ensure that no significant threshold shift is evident.
This service is provided on the premises of the company requesting the service. This ensures maximum work efficiency for the company and limited travel expenses by the company for staff members.
This service is provided on the premises of the company requesting the service. This ensures maximum work efficiency for the company and limited travel expenses by the company for staff members.
Hearing Aid Evaluation and Selection
Once a diagnostic hearing test has been completed and the cause and severity of the hearing loss is identified, we will assist in selecting an appropriate hearing aid for you.
Selection of a hearing aid is based on a number of factors including type and severity of hearing loss, lifestyle, patient needs and financial status.
Should you wish to trial and compare one or more different products, you will be offered the opportunity to have a trial fitting.
Selection of a hearing aid is based on a number of factors including type and severity of hearing loss, lifestyle, patient needs and financial status.
Should you wish to trial and compare one or more different products, you will be offered the opportunity to have a trial fitting.
Trial Fitting of Hearing Aids
Many patients are sceptical to wear a hearing aid based on personal past negative experiences, or their friends and family expressing dissatisfaction with hearing aids.
The reason for this dissatisfaction could be owing to a number of factors, but primarily because of older, less effective hearing aid technology.
A trial fitting allows you to wear a demo hearing aid for two weeks to experience the improvement in hearing and quality of life. Many patients find that they are unaware of what sounds they are missing until we are able to bring these sounds back to them.
The reason for this dissatisfaction could be owing to a number of factors, but primarily because of older, less effective hearing aid technology.
A trial fitting allows you to wear a demo hearing aid for two weeks to experience the improvement in hearing and quality of life. Many patients find that they are unaware of what sounds they are missing until we are able to bring these sounds back to them.
Hearing Aid Fitting and Follow Ups
Your hearing aid will be set according to your hearing levels as well as your previous hearing aid experience. Hearing aids are always set slightly softer than necessary at the initial fitting in order to allow the brain and patient time to adjust to new sounds that they haven't heard for a while.
You will need to return for a follow up a month after fitting where we will fine tune your hearing aid to appropriate levels once your brain has adjusted to the new sounds.
Hearing aid settings can be changed all the time. If you go home and find that the aid is too loud or some sounds are too sharp for example, we will be able to change the settings to be more comfortable for you.
You will need to return for a follow up a month after fitting where we will fine tune your hearing aid to appropriate levels once your brain has adjusted to the new sounds.
Hearing aid settings can be changed all the time. If you go home and find that the aid is too loud or some sounds are too sharp for example, we will be able to change the settings to be more comfortable for you.
Hearing Aid Repairs and Servicing
If a hearing aid is faulty, we will send it to the hearing aid manufacturer where it will be repaired. This usually takes no more than 3 working days. It is recommended that all hearing aids are serviced annually. This is important to ensure accurate functioning of the hearing aid at all times.
A service will entail a clean and check and possible repair if needs be. The majority of hearing aids carry a two-year warrantee. During this time, any service or repair will be free of charge. Should the warrantee no longer be valid a quote will be sent to you for approval before any repair work is done.
A service will entail a clean and check and possible repair if needs be. The majority of hearing aids carry a two-year warrantee. During this time, any service or repair will be free of charge. Should the warrantee no longer be valid a quote will be sent to you for approval before any repair work is done.
Fitting of Wireless Devices and FM systems
Hearing aids can be paired to various wireless devices, i.e. TV, landline, cellphone, computer, iPod etc. This requires an extra Bluetooth device. Your audiologist will discuss the different options with you and show you how to set them up and use them.
Tinnitus Evaluation and Counselling
Tinnitus refers to a ringing/buzzing/whistling noise in your ears. Treatment of tinnitus includes a combination strategy of counselling regarding the cause and aggravating factors as well as sound stimulation and tinnitus masking using hearing aids.
Custom Made Ear Protection
Customized ear plugs can be made specifically for noise, sleeping and swimming.
Hearing protection: Noise damage is irreparable but it is preventable by wearing hearing protection when exposed to decibel levels greater than 80dB. Noise damage is not only caused by high decibel (volume) sounds but also by the amount of time an individual is exposed to noise, for example someone who listens to their iPod all day could cause as much damage to their hearing as loud industrial equipment.
Sleep plugs: Custom made sleep plugs are soft and comfortable allowing you to have a good night's rest without being bothered by sounds around you.
Swim plugs: Swim plugs are a necessity for any children with grommets. Grommets create a hole in the ear drum which allows the water to seep into parts of the ear where it shouldn't be, aggravating middle ear infections.
Hearing protection: Noise damage is irreparable but it is preventable by wearing hearing protection when exposed to decibel levels greater than 80dB. Noise damage is not only caused by high decibel (volume) sounds but also by the amount of time an individual is exposed to noise, for example someone who listens to their iPod all day could cause as much damage to their hearing as loud industrial equipment.
Sleep plugs: Custom made sleep plugs are soft and comfortable allowing you to have a good night's rest without being bothered by sounds around you.
Swim plugs: Swim plugs are a necessity for any children with grommets. Grommets create a hole in the ear drum which allows the water to seep into parts of the ear where it shouldn't be, aggravating middle ear infections.
Accessories to Purchase
Batteries, receivers, domes, cleaning tools and wax guards can be purchased at the practice.
