ANYTOWN, USA – Since it opened nearly three years ago, Medical Community Hospital’s Hearing & Balance Center has expanded its staff and welcomed more than 1,000 new patients a year.

"We have found the Center to be immensely successful," says Dr. Robert Jones, Co-Director of the Hearing & Balance Center. "We have continued to accrue patients who have benefited from our ear-related services."

The Center diagnoses and treats problems associated with ear disorders, mobility and balance, neurological disease, head injuries, strokes, and work- and sports-related injuries.

The idea for the Center, which opened in the fall of 1998, came about after Medical Community Hospital physicians and staff realized that dizziness is one of the most common complaints of patients. National studies have shown that nearly half of all individuals over the age of 40 experience a dizziness disorder during their lifetime. Dizziness accounts for more than 11 million physician visits annually.

Since opening, the Center has taken on more than 1,000 new patients each year resulting from mostly referrals throughout the region. Staff expansion has included adding another audiologist and two vestibular (balance) therapists. The Center has also published several papers in medical and healthcare journals.

As part of a Department of Health pilot project involving various hospitals, the Center has received a state grant allowing it to perform hearing screenings on newborns. "What this means is that every baby born at Medical Community Hospital is tested for hearing loss," explains Sue Smith, Clinical Specialist for Audiology at the Hearing and Balance Center. "Without the screenings, hearing loss goes undetected in 50 percent of the newborns who have the condition."

In yet another development, the Center will conduct a recently approved clinical trial to research cochlear function under a different set of clinical circumstances.

The Center offers patients comprehensive screening techniques, hearing aid evaluations, and medical care, including surgery and rehabilitation. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art technology offering audiology services, vestibular testing, as well as diagnostic tests including audiogram, tympanogram, reflexes, ENG, Rotational Chair and Posturography. There’s also electrocochleography, otoacousitic emissions, hearing-aid check, and BSER/ABR.

"We are extremely pleased with the Center’s success," says Dr. Jones. "Our future goal is to continue to expand and provide all balance and ear-related services."

Qualified audiologists, and physical and occupational therapists also work closely with the patient and physicians to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Convenient to Anytown – the Hearing & Balance Center is next to the Rehabilitation Center on the second floor of the Medical Community Outpatient Center, thus allowing easy access for patients heading to physical and occupational therapy sessions.