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Everyone experiences tinnitus (TIN-i-tus), or ringing in the ears, from time to time. But for some people, when the ringing becomes persistent and even debilitating - interrupting sleep, concentration, creating anxiety, or depression - it's time to seek help.
The Hearing Wellness Center uses a holistic approach to treating hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing aid technology is only part of the solution. "When a person has an untreated hearing loss, their brain spends a lot of energy trying to fill in the blanks of what was missed... 'Did they say cat or catch?' " states Dr. Jonathan Gervais. He continues, "Once the hearing loss is treated with amplification, we take the extra step to help people learn to listen again, especially in background noise. Listening is a skill that can be sharpened, just like memory and can make a huge difference in the success people have with their hearing aids."
"At the Hearing Wellness Center we look at many factors that contribute to tinnitus. Once we understand the ways in which tinnitus is becoming disruptive we can then design an individual treatment program," states Dr. Sara Downs. She continues, "there is new hearing technology designed specifically for tinnitus relief that not only stimulates the auditory system, but also has relaxing sounds built right into the devices that produce deeper relaxation responses." Downs has begun Mind Body Medicine certification training and early next year expects to be offering Mind Body Skills Groups to help patients manage their tinnitus.
Join us tomorrow for a free educational luncheon with guest speaker, Dr. Leslie Staverman, who will discuss hearing loss, tinnitus treatment options, and new hearing aid technology. She will speak at Blackwoods on Tuesday, and offer consultations at Hearing Wellness Center on November 13.
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If you or a loved one is experiencing the frustration of hearing loss or tinnitus, we invite you to join us. Seating is limited so call 218-623-1045 today to reserve your seat.
The Hearing Wellness Center was founded in July 2012. With over twenty-five years of combined experience Drs. Downs and Gervais are among the first audiologists in the nation to incorporate a whole health model into their practice. They focus on complete audiology care, encompassing the whole patient experience for improved hearing health. Services include customized hearing device technology, hearing protection, and individual treatment plans to optimize hearing health. Located within the Hearing Wellness Center is the region's first Tinnitus Treatment Center providing individual treatment plans for successful and progressive management of ringing in the ears.
Their main office is located at 1420 London Road, Suite 105 (Lakewalk Center) in Duluth.
They also see patients at the Raiter Clinic in Cloquet, and the Lake View Clinic in Two Harbors. Call (218) 623-1045 to schedule an appointment or visit HearingWellnessCtr.com for more information.
