The Ochsner Hearing Center is a state-of-the-art facility specializing in diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. We have six full time staff auiologists with over 100 years of combined experience to serve your hearing needs. Audiologists are professionals who specialize in the assessment and rehabilitation of hearing loss and related disorders.
The following are services/programs offered at the Ochsner Hearing Center:
- Hearing Evaluations
- Hearing Aid Consultations
- Cochlear Implant Program
- Tinnitus Evaluations
- Balance System assessments
- Middle Ear Implants
Are You a Candidate for a Hearing Aid?
Warning Signs of hearing Loss:
Ask Yourself:
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Do you frequently ask people to repeat?
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Do you have difficulty hearing the TV of telephone?
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Do family and friends complain the TV is too loud?
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Do you complain that family and friends mumble?
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Does my child startle to loud sounds?
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Does my child respond when I call their name?
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Does my child follow simple commands?
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Does my child use speech and language like other children their age?
The Hearing Aid Center
The Hearing Aid Center at Ochsner Medical Center offers a complete selection of 100% digital hearing instruments for all types of hearing loss. Recent advances in hearing aid technology have greatly improved circuitry and signal processing strategies in hearing aids. Advanced digital technology provides superior sound quality which can optimize your speech understanding and provide listening comfort in noise. Our audiologists can help you determine if you are a candidate for a hearing aid and if you are, they can assist you finding the best style and technology to fit your lifestyle and hearing needs.
Hearing Aids
The Ochsner Hearing Center offers complete hearing aid services including evaluation and device selection from the world's leading manufacturers of hearing instruments including Widex, GN Resound, Sonic Innovations, Oticon, Phonak, and Starkey. A 30 day trail period is offered to ensure customer satisfaction. Hearing aid repair services are also available.
When hearing aids are not enough?
Cochlear Implant Program
We have the largest cochlear implant center in the GulfSouth. We have treated over 350 patients, including both the pediatric and the geriatric population. Our cochlear implant team consists of one surgeon, three audiologists, and one speech therapist. We have quarterly support group meetings for both our newly implanted and long term implanted adults along with support groups for our parents. In addition, we host an annual cochlear implant Christmas celebration.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that can provide auditory sensation to a person with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The cochlear implant bypasses the damaged organ of hearing and stimulates the auditory nerve directly. The cochlear implant consists of a surgically implanted component and an externally worn component. This surgery can restore useful hearing and provide improved communication abilities for persons who have a bilateral (both ears) severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Outcomes vary, however, based on each individual.
Are you a candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
Criteria for Children
- 12 months to 18 years of age
- severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- little or no benefit from hearing aids following an adequate period of training
- no medical contraindications
- evidence of a functioning auditory nerve
- high motivation and appropriate expectations by child and parents
- assurance of family stability and support
- an educational/rehabilitation program that emphasizes auditory skill development
Criteria for Adults
- 18 years of age or older
- moderate-severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- little or no benefit from hearing aids following an adequate trial period;
- no medical contraindications
- evidence of a functioning auditory nerve
- high motivation and appropriate expectations
Balance System Assessment
Ochsner's balance lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for assessing complaints of dizziness or vertigo as well as balance problem complaints. Nystagmography, the "gold standard" for the laboratory assessment of complaints of "vertigo" and "dizziness", has been around for 50 years. Our lab uses VideoNystagmoGraphy (VNG) to record and analyze the eye movements associated with these complaints including testing for BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), the most commonly occurring inner ear-related dizziness problem. More generalized balance problems are assessed using Computerized Dynamic Posturography that measures how the inner ear, vision and somatosensation interact for balance. Together these two clinical exams provide both diagnostic information and form the basis for treatment recommendations.
For Appointments, call 504-842-4080.
