Patient getting ears and hearing aids checked

Audiology

About Us

We believe hearing is essential to quality of life. When you visit Springfield Clinic's Audiology Department, you will be evaluated and treated to reach your optimal level of hearing. We offer the latest in hearing technology to deliver improved hearing for patients, as well as hearing aid repair and hearing aid testing.

Our Services

Springfield Clinic's audiology specialists offer complete consultation and management of hearing problems and balance disorders in patients, which include:

  • Bone anchored hearing aid fitting

  • Fitting of tinnitus makers

  • Hearing evaluations

  • Hearing screenings for children and adults

  • Hearing testing

  • Proper fitting

  • Repair of hearing aids

  • Testing of hearing aids

  • Videonystagmography (VNG) testing

Resources

Screening guidelines

Newborns

All infants should be screened for hearing loss and deafness by no later than one month of age. This ensures infants who are deaf or hard of hearing can receive appropriate evaluation and treatment. By three months of age, infants who do not pass screening will receive a comprehensive audiological evaluation. By six months of age, infants with confirmed hearing loss should be seen by health care and education professionals with expertise in hearing loss and deafness in infants and young children.

Regardless of previous hearing-screening outcomes, all infants with or without risk factors should receive ongoing surveillance of communicative development beginning at two months of age during well-child visits at the doctor's office.

Children seven months through two years of age

Some children may pass an initial hearing screening, but be at risk for fluctuating, delayed-onset or progressive hearing loss. There are two main types of hearing loss: sensorineural (inner ear damage) and conductive (sounds cannot get through to the inner ear). Children who pass initial screening but may be at risk should be monitored every six months until three years of age and at regular intervals dependent on the risk factor.

Some indicators that a child may be at risk for hearing loss that is either present from birth (congenital) or acquired over time include:

  • Concerns regarding hearing, speech, language and/or developmental delay based on observation and/or standardized developmental screening

  • Birth weight under 3.3 lbs

  • Bacterial meningitis and other infections associated with sensorineural hearing loss

  • Apgar scores of 0–4 at one minute or 0–6 at five minutes

  • Mechanical ventilation lasting five days or longer

  • Head trauma associated with loss of consciousness or skull fracture

  • Family history of hereditary childhood sensorineural hearing loss

  • In utero infection, such as cytomegalovirus, rubella, syphilis, herpes and toxoplasmosis

  • Recurrent or persistent inflammation of the ear lasting at least three months

Children three to five years of age

Preschool children should be screened as needed or when they have conditions that place them at risk for hearing loss.

Indicators associated with delayed-onset, progressive or acquired hearing loss include:

  • Concerns regarding hearing, speech, language and/or developmental delay based on observation and/or standardized developmental screening

  • Family history of hereditary childhood hearing loss

  • In utero infection, such as cytomegalovirus, rubella, syphilis, herpes and toxoplasmosis

  • Bacterial meningitis and other infections associated with sensorineural hearing loss

  • Head trauma associated with loss of consciousness or skull fracture

  • Recurrent or persistent inflammation of the ear lasting at least three months

Adults aged 18 and older

Adults should be screened as needed, or as requested, or when they have conditions that place them at risk for hearing disability (for example, family history, concern of a family member, noise exposure). Adults at risk should be screened every decade through age 50 and at three-year intervals after.

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