SEPTEMBER 26 • 2019 | 51
ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER
A
s some individuals age,
responding “What?” to
nearly everything said, is
a curt way to ask that something
be repeated. At other times, there
may be no response at all because
the speaker wasn’
t heard.
Such interactions can be frus-
trating to both parties. Social
interactions may gradually
become fewer and fewer, with
the person being left out feeling
isolated and even depressed.
These scenarios may be indica-
tive of hearing loss that requires a
professional’
s evaluation.
A leading authority in the field
is Oakland Hearing Aid Center
(OHAC), which opened its
first office in Farmington Hills
in 2006 and a second office in
Royal Oak eight years later.
The licensed providers are
Colleen Newman, an audiol-
ogist, and Hillary Wright, a
board-certified hearing instru-
ment specialist. Both hearing
health professionals have received
extensive education and train-
ing in their respective areas of
expertise, and they stay up to
date with continuous education.
Together, Newman and Wright
offer 40 years of experience.
Oakland Hearing Aid Center
is affiliated with the Rontal
Clinic, a well-established group
of ENT physicians. Rontal
Clinic refers patients to OHAC
for evaluation and education
regarding their hearing loss.
OHAC utilizes comprehensive
hearing evaluations to determine
the best solution for patients’
hearing loss,
with the goal
of helping
them regain
“all the
sounds the
world has
to offer,” as
the website
states.
Hearing
aids come in
a variety of
configura-
tions with a
multitude of features. Some use
disposable batteries, while others
are rechargeable. Most prefer the
rechargeable option.
Amplification is used to
increase the volume of the sound
spectrum when hearing loss is
experienced.
“Hearing aid manufacturers
spend millions of dollars on the
research and development of
hearing aids,” Newman said. The
sound processing that occurs
within these devices is remark-
ably sophisticated.
The devices can be very dis-
creet and, depending on the
model chosen, nearly undetect-
able. “The most popular hear-
ing aid is the receiver-in-canal
(RIC),” Newman said.
As with any-
thing new, there’
s
an adjustment
period in learn-
ing to use a hear-
ing aid. With
time and prac-
tice, it becomes
second nature.
Users must be
diligent and put
the hearing aids
on daily to stim-
ulate hearing.
Oakland Hearing
Aid Center is dedicated to
improving the quality of life
for anybody with a hearing
impairment. The professional
staff at OHAC provides personal
follow-up care every six months
to assure their patients’
new hear-
ing devices are working as they
should.
“OHAC also works to raise
our patients’
awareness of other
health risks associated with hear-
ing loss, such as falls, dementia
and diabetes,” Wright said.
One of the most important
health benefits of treating hear-
ing loss is improved cognitive
comprehension, which improves
patients’
self-confidence. That
leads to more enriched relation-
ships for them, greater indepen-
dence and a fuller life.
Concerning the cost of treat-
ment, Wright pointed out that
OHAC will call on behalf of
clients to determine the extent
of their insurance coverage.
Some in-house payment options,
as well as plans that include
CareCredit, are available.
Without a doubt, the services
OHAC provides can be life
changing. Enabling patients to
fully participate in conversations,
to enjoy music and the sounds of
nature, to not miss a grandchild’
s
laughter — and so much more.
Hearing moments like these are
priceless pleasures!
ISTOCK
OAKLAND HEARING AID CENTER
28300 Orchard Lake Road
Suite 101
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
3555 W. 13 Mile Road
Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Phone for both locations:
(248) 865-3327
www.oaklandhearingaid.com
SPONSORED BY OAKLAND HEARING AID CENTER
Today’s modern hearing aids keep you in the conversation.
Life-Changing Device
Colleen Newman and Hillary Wright
PHOTO BY LINDSAY SANTILLI