Typical Audiological Services

We offer complete hearing evaluations from about age 3 and up.  If your child will wear either headphones or insert earphones, we can test him or her.  However, at this time we do not have the equipment to perform Visual Reinforcement or Play Audiometry in a calibrated sound field for younger children.  We recommend visiting the pediatric audiologists at either Cincinnati or Dayton Children's Hospital for these services. 

Available standard tests include:

• Standard audiogram (air and bone conduction tests)
• Speech testing (in quiet and in noise; threshold and discrimination testing)
• Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflexes
• Otoacoustic Emissions (screenings and diagnostic testing; DPOAE and TEOAE)

Hearing losses are not all the same.  

It is very important to evaluate whether a particular hearing loss will likely be helped by hearing aids, and if so, what specific types of sound processing would best meet the requirements of the listener.

Not everyone needs the top level of sound processing to hear what they want to hear.  However, some people who have changing and complex sound environments with a need for excellent speech understanding in noise (for hearing-critical jobs), will benefit the most from the highest level of sound processing technology available at this time.

If hearing aids are not the best or only choice for rehabilitation, the audiologist will inform the client of other recommendations for intervention.

We use proprietary software provided by each manufacturer to fit that manufacturer's hearing aids according to the recommended protocol.  

However, our practice goes a step further than 85% of other practices to verify the fitting by using real ear measurements.  

This step is critical to achieving the best possible fit the first time.  Every ear canal has a different size and shape, and these dimensions affect the sound produced by the hearing aid.  

Most of the fitting algorithms used by the hearing aid manufacturers are only based on an "average" ear canal size and shape instead of actually measuring the sound in an individual's ear canal.  If you have a perfectly "average" ear canal size and shape, then real ear measurements will make no difference.  However, we have never seen a perfectly "average" ear canal in almost 31 years of practice!

Misbehaving hearing aids can often be repaired in our office by changing the wax guard, cleaning, or replacing a part.

We can send your Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Signia, Starkey, Unitron, or Widex hearings aids directly to the manufacturer for repair.  For all other hearings aids, we use Starkey All-Make Repair for servicing.

We use the safest documented method for removing cerumen (wax) from the human external auditory canal - lavage.  We have a specialized piece of equipment, the Earigator, which warms the water to body temperature so it will not induce dizziness that comes with using water which is too cold or too hot.

Tinnitus Evaluations & Therapy

Hyperacusis Evaluation & Therapy

• For tinnitus, we use a special audiometric application called a Tinnometer which enables us to quickly and accurately make specific measurements of your tinnitus.  This information is used to monitor the tinnitus characteristics over time and to make appropriate masker recommendations.
• For hyperacusis, we measure loudness discomfort levels and learn about your specific sound problems through questionnaire and interview.  Your sound struggles are unique, and the more we understand how sound bothers you, the better we can help you.
• We provide therapeutic interventions specific to your situation and needs.  This is not "one size fits all" because tinnitus and/or hyperacusis affects each person differently.

These are just some of our management strategies for tinnitus:

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)     This is the "gold standard" in tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance (hyperacusis and misophonia) therapies. Dr. Verbsky trained with Dr. Pawel Jastreboff, the creator of TRT.
• Tinnitus Activities Therapy (TAT) Developed at the University of Iowa's Tinnitus Clinic, this has become a standard tinnitus treatment for bothersome tinnitus.
• Progressive Tinnitus Management  Used by VA audiologists, this program has widespread use.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Provided by a clinical psychologist who specializes in tinnitus therapy.  Remote therapy via computer is available.

Who Needs Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Evaluation and Therapy

• A child who has normal hearing with learning problems, reading problems, or dyslexia.
• Any person who struggles to hear in noise when others can.
• Children or adults who have had an extended period of time with ear infections, which may have caused some auditory deprivation.
• People with hearing loss and who wear hearing aids, but are still having more difficulties listening to conversations than would be expected with their level of hearing loss.
• Those who have a neurologic disease, disorder, or insult that affects auditory areas of the central nervous system. (Examples: a history of hyperbilirubinemia, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury, space-occupying lesions)
• Veterans who have been exposed to combat-related trauma.

Auditory Processing Disorder Evaluations

We offer screenings and complete test batteries (SCAN 3C, SCAN  3A, Buffalo Model Central Test Battery, and other individual tests) for APD diagnosis and therapy recommendations. 

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Therapy

APD therapy, targeted to the specific skill deficit, is available to our clients.   

IEP Goals & Meetings

In addition to providing a comprehensive Auditory Processing Evaluation report and IEP goals (for students), Dr. Verbsky is available to attend your student's IEP meeting if desired.

Keep Enjoying Music For a Lifetime!

• We musicians need and want to hear our music accurately, and dynamics are a big part of the experience.  We love to feel the beat, not just hear it.  I know.  I am one of us.  Been in bands and choirs my whole life - nine years in marching bands, thirteen  years in concert bands, and six more directing bands and choirs in the public schools all day, everyday.  I play in an amplified band now, so I know the experience we love and the silent, painless dangers that can take it all away in a moment or over time.
• If only our ears would bleed when we are damaging them!  Most of the time, though, they don't bleed when damaged.  We have no way of telling if what we are exposing them to will permanently harm our hearing or not.  And once it happens, it's too late.  Nobody can "fix" it.
• Knowledge is power!  Come and find out the facts about your current hearing status (normal, subclinical abnormalities, early hearing loss, or definite noise-induced hearing loss).  What sound levels are you exposed to over what period of time?  Is this dangerous to your hearing?  If so, what can you do to protect yourself yet still enjoy your music?  Are you afraid to admit that you have a hearing loss for fear of discrediting yourself as a musician or musical technician?  I have helped many musicians just like you over the last few decades.  It will be okay.  I promise.  But don't wait any longer to take action on this!