Audiologists Are All Ears

July 21, 2008 | Link to article

JOLIET -- With the one-year anniversary behind them, audiologists Dawn Kovacik and Stacy Lambin are happy with what they have accomplished in that period of time.

Jefferson Hearing Aid has a very successful history of more than 30 years in Joliet. Although they are the new owners, Kovacik has been working at the Joliet practice for 28 of those years, and Lambin for the past six.

They are excited about the changes that they have begun to implement to secure the company's future.

Dawn Kovacik (left) and Stacy Lambin are the newest owners of Jefferson Hearing Aid. Both are certified audiologists with masters degrees. Kovacik has worked at the Joliet practice for 28 years and Lambin for six years. Their practice offers a wide variety of hearing aids and assistive listening devices to meet patients' hearing needs.

Since taking over the practice last June, Kovacik and Lambin have remodeled the office, expanded their office hours and locations, expanded their hearing aid and assistive listening device selection, and even expanded the warranty that comes with the hearing aids they prescribe.
Now most new hearing aids come with a standard three year repair and loss/damage warranty, as well as three years of batteries.

Technology and training

The two audiologists, who both hold masters degrees, have found that the key to success is combining a broad selection of hearing aids and accessories with the personalized service that they take great pride in providing.
Because of their level of education specifically in the field of audiology, they have extensive training not only in hearing aid technology, but in counseling and rehabilitation.

"I think that prospective patients should realize what our current patients already know; we are audiologists, not hearing aid sales people. We have a high level of education in the medical field of audiology," Lambkin said. "Our main focus is helping our patients understand as much about their hearing loss and its implications as possible, whether or not they are interested in, or even a candidate for, hearing aids. I think people should be aware that hearing aid specialists do not necessarily have the formal education the audiologists do."

It is not enough to just wear a hearing aid.

Patients do much better when they understand the limitations their hearing loss puts on them, and how to use the hearing aid as well as other strategies to overcome those limitations. Kovacik and Lambin feel it is their responsibility to provide their patients will all of the tools possible to effectively communicate again. That is simply what they love doing.

Hearing aids are so technologically advanced that they are constantly being updated and improved. The introduction of open fit hearing aids has made behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids the most popular model for the first time in 25 years.

What is particularly appealing about the open fit hearing aids is that they are virtually invisible and very light and comfortable to wear. They do not plug the ear up to the extent that hearing aids have traditionally done.

Even more recently, technology has been introduced that lets the wearer zoom their hearing aid microphones specific ally to the left, right, front or back which can be particularly helpful in noisy situations such as the car.

A new water-resistant hearing aid has been out for a few months, and has proven to be a popular choice at the Joliet clinic.

"More and more, we are seeing hearing aids that are able to be paired to other audio devices such as telephones, televisions, computers and MP3 players through the use of Bluetooth technology," Kovacik said.

As hearing aid wearers are getting younger and younger, they appreciate the technology that allows them to successfully use their hearing aids in all of their daily activities.

Hearing aids are becoming much more adaptable -- they can be used effectively everywhere from a conference room at the office to the treadmill at the gym.

Accessories, earphones

Diagnostic testing and hearing aid fitting are the main focus of practice at Jefferson Hearing Aid, but a variety of assistive listening devices and hearing aid accessories are offered as well. The office carries a large selection of hearing aid care accessories such as dehumidifiers, batteries, battery testers, cleaning supplies and moisture guards.
"People do not realize how important it is to keep their hearing aids clean and dry, and by doing so repairs are minimized and the life of the hearing aid can be extended," Lambkin said.

TV Ears television listening systems and Clarity amplified cordless phones are on display and can be demonstrated right in the office.

"Many times we have adult children come in to buy these assistive products for their parents, or if a person is not ready yet to invest in hearing aids, they realize there are products available to help them in difficult situations such as the TV and telephone. We can even provide loud vibrating alarm clocks and devices that cause a lamp to flash to alert a person to an incoming phone call," Kovacik said.

Jefferson Hearing Aid even offers products for people with normal hearing. Custom made earpieces for iPods and other mp3 players are available in a wide array of colors.

Not everyone can comfortably wear the generic earphones that come with many MP3 players so they come to Jefferson for custom-made earphones. And since they are available in so many different colors and swirls, Sox, Cubs, Bulls or Bears fans can show their loyalty in their ears.

Custom-made swim plugs, noise plugs and musician's plugs are also available.

Big changes

The transformation that has occurred over the past year has definitely benefited the practice and started it down the road toward another 30 years, and by opening a second office location in Bolingbrook, they are able to bring their professional services to both existing and new patients in that area.
"Now that we are able to set our own schedule we are able to allow for ample time to see patients without interruptions. I think that is one thing our patients have come to appreciate over the past year-- a much more relaxed and accommodating office than in the past," Kovacik said.

Jefferson Hearing Aid is at 3077 W Jefferson St., Suite 206, in Joliet, (815) 744-1214; and at 391 Quadrangle Drive, Suite S1, in Bolingbrook, (630) 226-0327.

Business hours for appointments and walk-in patients are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays for the Joliet office, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Bolingbrook office.

Early morning, evening and Saturday hours are available by request.