ROUGHLY 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in the field of audiology is available between Tiffany Ahlberg, left, doctor of audiology, and Jennifer King, audiologist, at the Cleveland Head and Neck Clinic, located at 2414 Chambliss Ave. N.W.
It has for years.
And it is staffed by Tiffany Ahlberg, doctor of audiology, and Jennifer King, audiologist and master of communication disorders. Both audiologists possess a certificate of clinical competency, with a combined total of almost 30 years audiology experience.
“We do rehabilitation,” Ahlberg said, “such as with tinnitus management. We check all areas related to hearing. We do tests that help the physician diagnose medical issues ... An audiologist is always available at our clinic.”
“But a lot of people don’t realize we do hearing testing,” King said, “as well as hearing aid evaluations, balance testing and vestibular (or dizziness and vertigo) testing.”
The audiology department also offers free hearing aid trials for certain types of hearing aids.
“And I think we’re the only place in town with a three-year warranty and a free, one-year supply of batteries ...,” King said.
This clinic also offers a choice of the majority — roughly 10 major brands — of the different types of hearing aids available, rather than just one specific brand, Ahlberg said.
“Everyone’s hearing aid needs are different and one manufacturer cannot meet everyone’s needs,” King said.
The differences are based on a person’s unique lifestyle and specific hearing losses.
“Everyone must be evaluated individually to get the proper function from a hearing aid,” Ahlberg said.
And, often, people don’t even realize how much hearing loss affects their lives.
“It affects the dynamics of the family,” King said. “It affects everyone.”
Both Ahlberg and King know this from first-hand experience. One of Ahlberg’s cousins has a sensorineural hearing loss, which is one of the reason’s Ahlberg became an audiologist.
One of King’s cousins was one of the first patients to receive a Cochlear implant more than 25 years ago. A cochlear implant, or CI, is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or hard of hearing.
One of their clients, Charles (Buddy) Blevins, is pleased with the hearing aids he got from the Cleveland Head and Neck Clinic.
“Through the years, my hearing had continued to get worse primarily from my family genes,” Blevins said. “In my 60s, I tried the total in-canal hearing aids by two different audiologists. I never was completely satisfied and, in fact, I was at a point that I could not hear sermons at church, classroom instructors and could not carry on a conversation because I could not understand certain spoken words and, most of all, I kept the television up very high, much to the dislike of my wife. Finally, in my 70s, it was recommended that I go see Tiffany Ahlberg, doctor of audiology, in Cleveland. After taking the standard hearing tests, Tiffany determined that I had significant hearing loss in both ears. After a trial period of using different behind the ear-type hearing aids, Tiffany recommended PHONAK behind the ear with a mold fit. After a 30-day trial period, I met with Tiffany. I told her that “we” had hit a home run. My hearing has been restored and I now enjoy all those things that I had missed for so long. I will be forever grateful to Tiffany Ahlberg.”
According to a company press release, the PHONAK hearing aid is dirt- and water-resistant, and an appropriate “choice for those seeking excellent performance for an active lifestyle.”
Brittany Morris is another Cleveland Head and Neck patient.
“I have been a patient ... since 2006, when I got my first hearing aid. I was deaf in one ear and had a moderate hearing loss in the right. Being a sophomore in college, I also had a difficult time hearing in school. My audiologist told me about something called an FM system that I could use during lectures ... As I am now in physical therapy school, I know I would have never made it this far without this help. My audiologist calls to inform me of anything new she thinks would help me hear better. I am now on my second hearing aid ... I live a very active life, and am one year from becoming a doctor of physical therapy. My audiologist has been there every step of the way. I highly recommend anyone with a hearing deficit to Cleveland Head and Neck. They truly go above and beyond for their patients.”
Another client, Dotti Caudill, said, “I have had severe hearing loss most of my life, ever since second grade. I am totally deaf in one ear and the other is functioning partially. Approximately two years ago, I went to Cleveland Head and Neck Clinic and had a hearing evaluation and subsequently purchased a hearing aid for the ear that still works. That hearing aid has been such a major blessing to my life and to my precious family who have dealt with my hearing loss so patiently. My service and treatment at Cleveland Head and Neck Clinic, and most specifically Jennifer King, has been the most caring, sensitive, helpful and supportive experience I have ever received anywhere on any product/service. I will be grateful to them, and especially Jennifer, always for the wonderful gift of hearing. I would (and do) refer and recommend Cleveland Head and Neck Clinic and especially Jennifer to any of my family or friends who have hearing loss.
The clinic is located at 2414 Chambliss Ave., N.W., and is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment.
For more information or to set up an appointment, call Ahlberg and King at 472-6581, or email Ahlberg at tiffany@clevelandaudiology.com and King at jennifer@clevelandaudiology.com. To check out the audiology website at the clinic, visit www.clevelandaudiology.com.
