Lake Norman Ears, Nose and Throat provides comprehensive diagnostic audiology services, including hearing evaluations and balance testing, and hearing aid sales and services. Our audiologists strive for clinical excellence and superior customer service.
What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is the professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. Our audiologists are doctoral level professionals who perform comprehensive examinations of the auditory and vestibular systems, and work with our patients to determine the most appropriate interventions as needed.
What services are available?
Diagnostic hearing evaluations may include traditional hearing testing, evaluations of speech perception and understanding, immittance testing, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response. Balance testing/vestibular evaluations include videonystagmography (VNG) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). Hearing aid services include consultations, fittings, programming of other devices, cleanings, real ear verification, counseling, and other follow-up care. We also fit custom hearing protection and other in-ear devices, including swim plugs and musicians monitors.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
We are usually able to schedule patients within a week as long as you are flexible with your availability. Vestibular evaluations may have a longer wait.
What should I expect at my appointment?
It depends on the type of appointment you have. If you are coming in to see one of our ENT physicians and have your hearing tested, you will typically see the physician first and then meet with one of our audiologists who will determine what testing is appropriate for your specific concerns and proceed from there. Patients who are having a vestibular evaluation should plan to spend about two hours with one of our audiologists having a battery of tests performed. Hearing aid consultations last about an hour, and you and an audiologist will go over your hearing loss and then discuss any insurance coverage you may have, your lifestyle, expectations, and other needs to determine if hearing aids or other intervention is right for you. Other hearing aid related appointments, which may include fittings, programming, verification, cleaning, repairs, counseling, and/or ear molds, are different depending on your goals and needs. Our main goal is always to provide you with a patient-centered experience consisting of a high degree of clinical expertise partnered with superior customer service.
How much are hearing aids?
Hearing aids range in price depending on the level of technology of the device, any accessories you may need, and the services required in fitting the device, as well as the follow-up care needed. We discuss this in detail during a consultation if it is determined that hearing aids are right for you.
Are hearing aids covered by my insurance?
We call and verify any insurance benefits you may have prior to your consultation so that our audiologists can discuss your options with you. We are in-network with most insurance plans.
I bought my hearing aids somewhere else. Can I schedule with one of your audiologists to check them?
Yes, you can! We are happy to service hearing aids purchased from other offices. You will be responsible for an office visit fee based on the services provided.
What brands of hearing aids do you sell?
We can work with all major hearing aid brands. These include, but are not limited to, Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Unitron, Siemens, GN Resound, and Oticon. We may not be able to work with private label brands. Our audiologists work with our patients to determine which hearing aid is most appropriate for your individual needs.