Children's Audiology Services at High Peaks

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Audiology at High Peaks
Here at High Peaks, we provide diagnostic audiological evaluations for children from the age of 18 months and older as well as adults. At the current time we do not have the ability to do infant hearing assessments as this has evolved into a highly specialized field. We do provide complete hearing aid services, industrial evaluations, custom musicians products, and (central) auditory processing evaluations for normal hearing children over the age of 7. We participate with most insurances including Medicare, however most insurances do not cover hearing aids or auditory processing evaluations. We also provide evaluations for the Early Intervention Program and Committee for Preschool Special Education.<<TOP>>

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a physician’s referral for an audiological evaluation?
 
Not necessarily. Most insurances require a referral, however private payment is always an option. Medicare will not pay for an evaluation to determine need for a hearing aid. A $100.00 consultation fee is customary but on occasion will be waived. It is always waived if a hearing aid is purchased.<<TOP>>

2.   What is involved in an audiological evaluation?
 
A variety of different tests may be performed depending on the patient’s complaints and age. Most are conducted under headphones in a sound treated booth; however, young children may be tested through loud speakers in the booth if they are too young for headphones. For all patients, a full medical history is obtained as well as a thorough physical examination of the ears. <<TOP>>

3.  What is your hearing aid trial and return policy?
 
There is a 45-day trial period for all hearing aids as required by New York State law. Should you return the hearing aid(s) before the end of the trial period, the amount you paid will be refunded minus a cancellation fee, which can be up to 10% of the purchase price of the instrument(s). This fee reflects the cost of materials and the professional time involved in selecting, fitting, and adjusting the hearing aid(s). <<TOP>>

4.   I’m concerned about my child’s speech. Why do they need a hearing test?
 
Sometimes speech and language delays are caused by an underlying hearing problem. Children with recurrent ear infections, persistent middle ear fluid, and high frequency inner ear hearing losses are especially affected. A hearing test is usually recommended to rule out these problems as their presence would render therapy less effective. Also, medical treatment or amplification may be indicated to enhance therapeutic interventions. <<TOP>>

5.   What does the term CAP mean?
 
Auditory processing –AP- (also known as Central Auditory Processing –CAP-) is the brain’s way of making sense of information it receives through the auditory channel. Your ears hear, but the sounds must travel neurological pathways dedicated to auditory information so that your brain can tell you what sounds mean. An auditory processing disorder (APD or CAPD) occurs when there is a breakdown at any number of places along these complex neurological pathways. <<TOP>>

6.   What can be done if I think my child might have this problem?
 
Our goal is to identify the underlying deficit process adversely affecting your child’s academic achievement in order to develop a specific management plan tailored to your child’s needs. Different auditory processes including peripheral hearing will be examined and tests selected will be based on referring complaints. <<TOP>>

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