• Comprehensive hearing evaluations for older children through geriatric patients including immittance and otoacoustic emissions tests.
  • Immittance testing is a procedure that provides information for the doctor and audiologist about the health of the eardrum and the middle ear. The middle ear is where children may have a build-up of fluid or an ear infection.
  • Otoacoustic emissions testing is a relatively new procedure that sends sound into the ear through a small ear tip and then measures the sound reflected back. This test also does not require any response from the listener and can be done during sleep. It can provide valuable information on the status of the auditory system.
• Counseling regarding the type and degree of hearing loss, the effects of the hearing loss on the individual and the family, and management options
• Adult Hearing aid selection and fitting
• Hearing aid repair and electroacoustic evaluation. Electroacoustic evaluation involves connecting the hearing aid to a computer and reading its function, somewhat like the computer analysis done on a car. From this evaluation we can tell if the hearing aid is functioning as it should be.
• Cochlear implant evaluation
• Cochlear implant programming, trouble-shooting and diagnostic evaluation of CI equipment for  Cochlear Corporation devices
• Custom swim molds and custom listening molds
• Hearing protection, including custom musicians earplugs and Electronic Shooter Protection devices

Cerumen, otherwise known as ear wax, is good for our ears, but too much of it can cause problems. 

There are various techniques to clear a patient's ear canals of cerumen. The technique we use depends on factors such as depth of wax in the canal, type of wax (is it hard or soft), and status of the patient's ear drum.  

We may use a gentle warm water flushing or instruments such as a curette, speculum and head lamp.

No matter which technique is used it is always easier to remove cerumen when the patient has used a softener in the canal for a couple of days prior to the appointment. 

One of the first steps in your appointment is for your ear canals to be examined. Traditionally this is done with an otoscope. By using a video otoscope you are allowed to see what we see, giving you a better understanding of your body.

When you order a custom hearing aid, custom dome (earmold) or custom hearing protection it is  traditional to have an impression made of your ear.  This includes filling the ear with material that hardens to the shape of your ear and shipping it to the manufacturer. 

We are proud to be the first office in Rhode Island to modernize and move to scanning your ear. We use a hand held device to scan your ear to build a digital image or your ear. 

We partner with two area physicians to provide an adult Cochlear Implant Program. The adult program serves patients 18 years of age and older who are likely to benefit from implantable technology. There are no upper age limits to cochlear implantation. 

If an audiological evaluation determines that a hearing loss does not need further medical investigation, then hearing aids are one option for management. Today’s hearing aids are vastly improved when compared to those available just a few years ago. Fitting techniques have also improved. Such technological advances assist us in selecting and fitting the device so that it most closely meets an individual user’s needs. South County Hearing offers the latest digital hearing aid technology. Hearing aids, like many items, come in a variety of styles with a variety of options. Pricing is based on the level of technology and options selected. Our Patient Care Coordinator is available to verify any hearing aid benefits offered by your health insurance. In addition, a zero interest payment plan is offered through Care Credit. Diagnostic evaluation, repairs and programming are also available for hearing aids whether purchased from South County Hearing or elsewhere.