Audiological Services | The Program | Hearing Loss Prevention | Eligibility | Referrals & Payment | Locations
If you think you may have a hearing loss, your first step is to see an audiologist. An audiologist is a licensed health-care professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders.
She has many years of experience in audiology with all ages in acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and in private practice.
Audiology Services
Comprehensive Audiological Evaluations & Report
Measurement of hearing thresholds, speech understanding, and middle ear assessment. Report includes implications on communication function and recommendations
Cochlear Implant Services
Candidacy evaluations, counseling, device activation and programming services for three cochlear implant manufacturers in association with Dr. Marc Eisen, Neurotologist at CT ENT.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Implant Services
Counseling, activation, and programming services. Appropriate for single-sided deafness or untreatable conductive hearing loss.
Videonystagmography Test (VNG)
Vestibular function assessment performed at Blue Back Square in West Hartford.
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The Audiological Evaluation for Hearing Loss Program
Audiological evaluations of adults (18 years and up) include:
- Comprehensive hearing evaluation, including pure tone, speech & immittance audiometry and otoacoustic emissions
- Patient and family counseling about living with hearing loss
- Hearing conservation programs to prevent hearing loss
- The evaluation lasts approximately one hour.
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Hearing Loss Prevention
You can permanently lose your hearing from prolonged exposure to noise. Twelve million Americans have hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise.
Helpful tips to protect your hearing:
- Wear hearing protection when around sounds louder than 85dB for 30 minutes or more.
- Turn down the volume when listening to the radio, the TV, MP3 player, or anything through ear buds and headphones.
- Walk away from loud noise
The loudness of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by prolonged exposure to any loud noise over 85dB, such as concerts, sporting events, lawnmowers, fireworks, MP3 players at full volume, and more. A brief exposure to a very intense sound, such as a gun shot, near the ear, can also damage your hearing.
If you suspect you may having hearing loss, make an appointment to see an audiologist. A hearing test will be performed to determine the type and severity of hearing loss you may have.
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Eligibility
Have you stopped going to restaurants and social gatherings? Do you have trouble hearing over the phone?
If you answered yes, you may have a hearing problem. Over 36 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss. That's over 4 times the amount of people who live in NYC.
If you think you may have a hearing loss, your first step is to see an audiologist. An audiologist is a licensed health-care professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders.
Patients with the any of the following symptoms are candidates for referral:
- Asking others to repeat.
- Ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring in the ears.
- Staying home to avoid social situations.
- Complaining that others are mumbling.
- Strained personal/family relationships.
- Turning up the volume on TV/radio.
- Difficulty with conversations in noise.
The Audiology Department at Hartford Hospital provides complete hearing evaluations, including pure tone testing, speech audiometry, impedance audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, and VNGs (vestibular testing).
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Awards & Accreditations
Christie Huebner has worked as Hartford Hospital's Audiologist for the past 15 years. In that role, she helped develop the cochlear and Baha implant programs and chaired the Hearing and Balance Center Patient Advisory Board. Christie is a longstanding member of ASHA and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She recently earned the ACE award and achieved Academy Scholar status for continuing education achievements.
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Insurance and Payment Information
Most insurance plans are accepted. An order from your PCP is required to make an appointment with the Audiology Department.
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