Diagnostic Services
Arizona Hearing and Balance Center is an advanced diagnostic center that provides comprehensive evaluations of both hearing and vestibular (balance) function. Services for both pediatric and adult patients include:
Audiologic evaluations
Newborn hearing screening (Otoacoustic Emissions or sleep deprived ABR)
Failed Hearing Screening Follow-up Testing
When a child fails a hearing screening, whether it is at the hospital at birth, at a physician’s office, or at a school hearing screening, he or she should be re-evaluated for possible hearing loss. Audiologists use a variety of specialized tests to help in the diagnosis of hearing loss, depending on the child’s age.
Following a failed hearing screening at birth, the infant is first evaluated by Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs), a test of the sensory cells in the inner ear. If the infant does not pass this test, he or she returns for a more specialized test, the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR). The ABR helps the audiologist determine the type, degree, and configuration of any hearing loss that might be present. Both of these tests require no response from the infant. Testing can only be completed if the child is still and quiet; therefore, it is best if the infant arrives sleepy.
Children ages six months or older who have failed a hearing screening in the physician’s office or at school are further tested using age-appropriate testing in the soundbooth and tympanometry, a measure of middle ear status. If needed, the child is further evaluated using otoacoustic emissions or auditory brainstem response.
Hearing Aid and Rehabilitative Services
Part of our wide range of therapeutic options for hearing impairment includes hearing aid services. These services are designed to improve quality of life through improved communication. Our program provides patients with the most current technology and care, as well as education about managing their hearing loss.
We work with the leading hearing aid manufacturers and offer a variety of style and circuitry options. As a part of our program, you will work with an audiologist for an evaluation of your communication needs to determine which device is most appropriate for you.
We offer a one-month adjustment period to insure patient satisfaction. If the patient does not feel the hearing aid is satisfactory, he or she may return the device and be refunded the purchase price of the hearing aid. Professional services and fees incurred during adjustment period are non-refundable.
During the adjustment period, multiple visits to our facility are required to make sure your device is fit for your communication needs. Accessibility to repairs and modifications is improved if your program is within driving distance. Please make sure you have adequate transportation.
If you are considering obtaining hearing aid services and wish to schedule a hearing aid consultation, please call 480-558-5306 for an appointment. If you have not had a hearing test within the past 6 months, you will need a hearing evaluation. Please note there is a separate charge for the hearing evaluation. Please contact your insurance company for their policy on hearing aid and hearing evaluation reimbursement.
Cochlear Implants
Audiologists at the Arizona Hearing and Balance Center provide a full range of cochlear implant services for children and adults, including evaluation and follow-up services. The first step in the process is a cochlear implant evaluation. A cochlear implant evaluation will determine if the patient is a candidate for a cochlear implant by comparing test scores to guidelines set by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for cochlear implant candidacy. If an individual has a significant amount of hearing loss and does not receive benefit from a conventional hearing aid, he or she might be a candidate for a cochlear implant. After receiving a cochlear implant, patients are seen for follow-up programming of the implant. During these follow-up visits, programming is verified using several different measures and aural rehabilitation is provided. This clinic provides services for all three cochlear implant manufacturers (Advanced Bionics Corporation, Cochlear Corporation, and Med-El), whether the patient is implanted by Dr. Fucci or at another center.
Audiology Staff
The audiologists at Arizona Hearing and Balance Center hold Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees from nationally-recognized University programs with intensive instruction and hands-on experience in diagnostic testing, balance evaluation, cochlear implants, and hearing aids in both the pediatric and adult populations. They are highly experienced in audiometry and audiogram interpretation; electrophysiological testing; balance testing; hearing aid selection, fitting, and troubleshooting; and cochlear implant candidacy criteria, evaluation, counseling, programming, and troubleshooting. Our audiologists remain state-of-the-profession trained by attending numerous continuing education conferences and seminars each year.
Jodee A. Pride, AuD., CCC-A
Dr. Jodee Pride received her AuD from the University of Louisville after completing a four year residential graduate program. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Communication Disorders. She completed her graduate fellowship at Arizona Hearing and Balance Center and took a full time position following graduation. Dr. Pride has a certificate of clinical competence in Audiology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She also has a Dispensing Audiologists’ License from the State of Arizona. Dr. Pride’s graduate school research on early evidence of hearing loss in percussionists has been published in Medical Problems of Performing Artists, The Hearing Journal, and Percussive Notes.
Ashleigh E. Marley, AuD., CCC-A Dr. Ashleigh Marley received her AuD from the University of Florida after completing a four-year residential graduate program. She is a graduate of Florida State University,
with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Marley also completed her 4th year Audiology fellowship at Arizona Hearing and Balance Center. She is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association and has a dispensing Audiologists’ license from the state of Arizona. Dr. Marley has presented her research on pediatric cochlear implants at the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology. Dr. Marley also has a strong foundation in deaf culture and American Sign Language.
Quality of Service
Arizona Hearing and Balance Center is equipped to provide the latest advancements in technology to improve hearing in children and adults. Our new state of the art office facility provides for all of the needed services for our patients' hearing health. We dispense the latest hearing aid technology, repair existing hearing aids, clean ear wax, treat ear infections, diagnose medical problems, and submit insurance claims.
