Hearing Loss Chicago | Balance Problems Chicago | Chicago ENT

Hearing & Balance

Hearing Loss & Testing in Chicago, IL

Hear life again with expert treatments 

Senior Couple Talking in Park

More than 48 million Americans (20% of the population) have some degree of hearing loss. In fact, one out of every three people age 65 and older have hearing loss, and almost all children will experience a temporary hearing loss due to ear infections or fluid before age 18.

That’s why more adults and children turn to Chicago ENT for the most advanced surgical and medical therapies available.  Our audiologists hold doctoral degrees and are highly skilled in all aspects of hearing as well as in prescribing assistive devices and therapies. They work closely with the ENT physicians to diagnose and treat mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss. Chicago ENT boasts the perfect combination of expert doctors and fully-equipped, on-site testing facilities.

We pride ourselves on our ability to educate patients about their hearing loss and provide treatment using the latest technologies and research. Our goal is to optimize our patient’s hearing, allowing them to communicate with family, friends and the world around them.

Meet our audiologists:

Ellen May, Au.D., CCC-A

Michelle Nebel, Au.D., CCC-A

Jaclyn Riel, AuD, CCC-A

Stephanie Feller, AuD, CCC-A

Our Hearing Services in Chicago, IL

  • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations (age 5-adult)
  • Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions Testing
  • Tympanometry
  • Hearing Aid Consultations & Fittings
  • Hearing Aid Servicing & Repairs

  • Custom Recreational & Professional Earplugs
  • Custom Earmolds
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Vestibular and Balance Evaluations
  • Auditory Brainstem Response Testing

Advances in hearing loss treatment:

We work with all major manufacturers of hearing aids and are up to date on the latest digital, Bluetooth and wireless technology.  Hearing aids are prescription-based devices that are programmed for a patient’s individual hearing loss. Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) are NOT hearing aids.  They are strictly an amplification enhancer and are not approved by the FDA to treat hearing loss.

  • Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC)
  • Behind-the-ear (BTE)
  • In-the-canal (ITC)
  • In-the-ear (ITE)
  • Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
  • Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)

Assistive listening devices

Hearing aids are very helpful in one-on-one situations, but sometimes they are not enough. An assistive listening device (ALD) can help you function better in your day-to-day communication. ALD’s are available for use with or without hearing aids. These devices can include:

  • Wireless Connectivity
  • Phone Streaming
  • Television Streaming
  • iPhone or Android Direct Streaming
  • Personal FM systems
  • Telecoil/Induction Loop Connectivity

Custom products

Harmfully loud sounds can permanently damage our hearing.  Protecting your hearing when participating in loud activities, such as listening to loud concerts, hunting, motorcycling, and construction work can save your ears in the future.

  • Recreational Ear Plugs
  • Sleep Plugs
  • Swim Plugs

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (Baha®)

If you struggle to hear because of chronic conditions such as draining ears, chronic ear infections, acoustic neuroma or Microtia, and Atresia, a Baha® Bone Conduction Implant System may be the solution you have been waiting for. A Baha® System might not only help you hear again; it can reconnect you to the life you love and the sounds you have been missing. 

Click here to learn about patients who have struggled with hearing loss and how the Baha® has improved their lives.

Understanding treatment options for your hearing loss.

Today there is a variety of hearing solutions to treat different types of hearing loss. Depending on the type of hearing loss you have, some hearing solutions may be more effective than others. Consult with a Chicago ENT hearing specialist to recommend the best solution for you.

How the Baha® system is different from CROS hearing aids and conventional hearing aids.

The Baha® system is a discreet solution worn on the hearing-impaired ear(s), while CROS hearing aids require users to wear devices on both the normal and hearing-impaired ear.

• Studies show that the Baha® System provides better speech understanding in noise than CROS hearing aids.

• While wearing conventional bone conduction hearing aids, volume and sound quality can be limited because the skin acts as a barrier. 

• Some hearing aids require users to wear an earmold, which can aggravate existing conditions, such as draining ears or create constant feedback.

Baha Hearing System Diagram

Could the Baha® help you? 

Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to any of them, then the Baha® system might be right for you.

• Can you only hear from one side?

• Do you suffer from sore or irritated ears due to your hearing aids? 

• Do you have trouble getting sufficient loudness when using hearing aids?

• Do you have draining ears? 

• Do you battle feedback such as whistling hearing aids or distorted sound?

 • Do you have malformed ears or ear canals? It’s time to get back the sounds you’ve been missing. 

What are the benefits of the Baha® System compared to leaving your hearing loss untreated?

With the Baha® System, you may be able to: 

• Hear better, even in noisy situations.

• Enjoy a clean, more natural sound because bypassing the damaged part of your ear may reduce the amount of amplification needed to help you hear better.

• Hear sounds as if they are coming from both sides.

• Become more aware of your surroundings, increasing your ability to hear important sounds. 

How much does a Baha® Bone Conduction Implant System cost?

Unlike hearing aids, bone conduction implants are covered by Medicare. They are also covered by many insurance plans and typically Medicaid.

The Procedure

  • You’ll complete a hearing test to find out if you can benefit from a Baha® System. If it’s determined you are a good candidate, you’ll get to test the sound processor and hear the difference for yourself. That’s one of the best things about a Baha® System—you can try it first before deciding to move forward.
  • It is an outpatient procedure and fortunately, the procedure is fairly routine, typically lasting less than an hour and is performed under general anesthesia. The risks of implant surgery are typically low, and most people are back to their normal activities within a few days.
  • Fitting appointment.  After the recommended healing period (up to 12 weeks), you’ll visit your audiologist to receive your new sound processor. They’ll adjust the settings to match your needs and show you how it all works. You will then be ready to start your new hearing experience.

To learn more about our different hearing aids, call Chicago ENT at 773-296-5500.

Hearing Stories

If you have more questions on hearing and balance, click here for our FAQ.

Hearing & Balance FAQs

Not necessarily. But any hearing loss should be checked out by an audiologist.

An ear infection occurs when there is improper drainage of the fluid that collects behind the eardrum during a cold, allergy or upper respiratory infection and is accompanied by the presence of bacteria or viruses.

Otitis externa is a bacterial infection of the outer ear and ear canal causing inflammation which causes an earache. It is typically caused by exposure to water.

Some patients say it sounds like buzzing, clicking, hissing, or humming. It can be perceived in one or both ears. It is usually caused by wax, allergy, ear infections, certain medications, circulatory problems, and most commonly, prolonged exposure to loud noises.

Dizziness and imbalance can have both vestibular and non-vestibular causes. The inner ear’s vestibular organs signal to your brain whether you are moving, and how your head is oriented relative to gravity. Your brain then integrates these signals with those received from your eyes, muscles, and joints. When any part of the vestibular system malfunctions, this process of integration breaks down, and dizziness and other symptoms may result. Medical evaluation from one of our qualified vestibular specialists is essential to determine whether your dizziness is caused by a vestibular problem, some other cause, or a combination of factors.

Locations

Chicago ENT has five convenient locations throughout the greater Chicago area. For the exact location and/or directions, simply click on the map next to your desired location. To book an appointment, call 773-296-5500 to speak to a scheduler or conveniently online 24/7.

Advanced Center for Specialty Care
3000 N. Halsted Street, Suite #400
Chicago, IL  60657

Phone: 773-296-5500

Office hours:
Monday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Allergy Shot Clinic hours:
Monday 8:30 am -4 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday 9 am- 11:30 am
*Shot appointments are by appointment only
*All patient’s are required to wait 30 minutes after receiving allergy shot(s)

Map of the Chicago ENT Lincoln Park Location

St. Mary’s Hospital Professional Building
2222 W. Division Street,
Suite #330
Chicago, IL  60622

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Bucktown Location

8930 Gross Point Road,
Suite #700
Skokie, IL 60077

Phone: 773-262-4110
Map of the Chicago ENT Skokie Location

Swedish Covenant Hospital
5140 N. California Avenue,
Suite #600
Chicago, IL  60625

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Chicago North Location

2522 W. Peterson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659

Phone: 773-262-4110
Map of the Chicago ENT Peterson Location

St. Joseph Ascension Health Outpatient Pavilion
2845 N. Sheridan Rd,
Suite #807
Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: 773-296-5500
Map of the Chicago ENT Lakeview Location