Your Trusted Audiologist in Pittsburgh
Comprehensive Audiology Services For Better Hearing Health
Hearing is one of our most vital senses, serving as a fundamental connection to the world around us. It allows us to communicate with loved ones, enjoy music, and stay alert to our environment. However, when hearing health begins to decline, or issues with balance arise, it can feel isolating and overwhelming. Whether you are experiencing gradual changes in your ability to hear conversations or sudden, alarming symptoms, seeking professional care is the first step toward restoring your quality of life. Audiology is the specialized branch of medicine dedicated to the study of hearing, balance, and related disorders, offering pathways to better health through advanced diagnostics and personalized care plans.
At Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners, we are proud to provide expert audiology care to our community. As the largest and busiest private ENT practice in the city, our team is comprised of highly trained specialists dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide range of auditory and vestibular conditions. Many of our patients may remember us by our previous name, South Hills ENT, and while our name has evolved, our commitment to patient-centered excellence remains unchanged. Our audiology department works hand-in-hand with our board-certified otolaryngologists to ensure that every patient receives a comprehensive medical evaluation, not just a simple hearing test. We utilize state-of-the-art technology to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms and develop effective treatment strategies tailored to your lifestyle.
If you are concerned about your hearing or balance, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward clearer hearing and better balance.
What is Audiology and How Does it Work?
Audiology is the allied health profession devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. It involves far more than simply prescribing hearing aids; it is a clinical science that investigates the function of the auditory and vestibular systems. The ear is a complex organ responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals for the brain and maintaining the body's sense of equilibrium. When any part of this system is disrupted—whether in the outer, middle, or inner ear, or along the auditory nerve pathway—it can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness.
At Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners, our audiology services work by first establishing a baseline of your auditory health through rigorous testing. Our audiologists use calibrated equipment to measure hearing sensitivity and speech understanding in a sound-treated environment. This scientific approach allows us to determine the type and degree of hearing loss or the nature of a balance disorder. Once a diagnosis is reached, we create a customized management plan. This may involve medical intervention from our ENT physicians, the fitting of advanced hearing devices, or rehabilitation therapies designed to retrain the brain and improve communication.
How Do We Approach Hearing Loss Treatment for Sudden and Chronic Conditions?
Hearing loss is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and effective hearing loss treatment requires distinguishing between sudden onset and chronic progression. Chronic hearing loss typically happens gradually over time, often due to aging (presbycusis) or noise exposure. For these patients, we focus on rehabilitation, often utilizing digital hearing aids or assistive listening devices to restore access to speech sounds and improve clarity in noisy environments. Our goal is to keep you connected to the conversations that matter most.
Hearing loss is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and effective hearing loss treatment requires distinguishing between sudden onset and chronic progression. Chronic hearing loss typically happens gradually over time, often due to aging (presbycusis) or noise exposure. For these patients, we focus on rehabilitation, often utilizing digital hearing aids or assistive listening devices to restore access to speech sounds and improve clarity in noisy environments. Our goal is to keep you connected to the conversations that matter most. However, sudden hearing loss is considered a medical emergency. If you experience a rapid drop in hearing in one or both ears, immediate evaluation is crucial. Our team at Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners is equipped to perform urgent assessments to identify potential causes such as viral infections, circulatory issues, or autoimmune disorders. Prompt treatment, which may include steroid therapy or other medical interventions, offers the best chance for recovery. By combining the expertise of an audiologist with the medical oversight of an ENT specialist, we ensure that both sudden and chronic conditions are managed safely and effectively.
What Does a Tinnitus Evaluation Involve and Can It Be Treated?
Tinnitus, often described as a ringing, buzzing, or clicking sound in the ears when no external sound is present, affects millions of people. While it is a symptom rather than a disease itself, it can be distressing and disruptive to daily life. A comprehensive tinnitus evaluation is the critical first step in managing this condition. During this evaluation, our audiologists will conduct specific tests to match the pitch and volume of your tinnitus and assess how it interacts with external sounds. We also investigate potential underlying causes, such as hearing loss, earwax blockage, or vascular issues.
While there is currently no universal "cure" for every type of tinnitus, effective tinnitus treatment and management strategies exist. For many patients, tinnitus is linked to untreated hearing loss; in these cases, hearing aids can provide significant relief by amplifying background noise to mask the internal ringing. We also offer sound therapy options and counseling strategies to help habituate the brain to the sound, making it less noticeable and less bothersome over time. Our team is dedicated to helping you find relief and regain peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Offer Vestibular and Balance Disorder Treatment?
Yes, Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners offers specialized care for patients suffering from dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance. The inner ear plays a primary role in your body's balance system, and dysfunction here can lead to debilitating symptoms that increase the risk of falls and injury. Vertigo treatment begins with accurate diagnostics to determine if the issue is originating in the ears (vestibular) or elsewhere. Conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, and labyrinthitis are common vestibular disorders we encounter.
Our approach to balance disorder treatment often involves Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) or specific repositioning maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver for BPPV, which can resolve symptoms sometimes in a single visit. By evaluating the vestibulo-ocular reflex and other balance mechanisms, we can pinpoint the specific canal or nerve affected. Our audiologists and physicians work together to ensure that your treatment plan addresses the physical root of your dizziness, helping you feel steady and secure on your feet again.
What Should I Expect During a Comprehensive Hearing Screening Test?
A hearing screening test at our practice is a painless, non-invasive, and thorough procedure designed to assess the complete health of your auditory system. Unlike a basic screening you might receive at a school or a health fair, our diagnostic evaluations are medical-grade. You will be seated in a soundproof booth, and our audiologist will communicate with you through headphones. We typically begin with pure-tone audiometry, where you respond to tones of different pitches and volumes to determine the softest sounds you can hear.
Beyond just tones, we perform speech audiometry to evaluate how well you understand spoken words at different volumes and in quiet versus noisy backgrounds. We may also perform tympanometry to check the movement of your eardrum and the pressure in your middle ear, which helps rule out fluid or infection. These tests combined give us a detailed "audiogram" that serves as a map of your hearing health. The entire process is comfortable and usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes, after which your provider will review the results with you immediately.
Why Should I See a Hearing Loss Doctor Near Me Instead of a Retail Dispenser?
When searching for a "hearing loss doctor near me," it is important to understand the difference between a medical practice and a retail hearing aid dispenser. Retail outlets focus primarily on selling devices and may not have the medical training to identify underlying health issues causing your hearing loss. At Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners, our model integrates audiology with otolaryngology (ENT medicine). This means that before we discuss hearing aids, we ensure there are no medical "red flags" that require physician intervention, such as tumors, infections, or structural abnormalities.
Furthermore, as a trusted medical practice (formerly South Hills ENT), we are held to the highest standards of patient care and ethics. We offer a broader range of solutions than a retail store, including medical and surgical treatments for hearing issues, management of cerumen (earwax) impaction, and comprehensive balance care. Choosing a medical specialist ensures that your hearing health is treated as a vital part of your overall physical well-being, providing you with safety, accuracy, and long-term support.
How Can I Schedule an Appointment with an Audiologist Near Me?
We understand that addressing hearing and balance issues can be stressful, so we strive to make scheduling your appointment as simple as possible. If you are looking for an "audiologist near me" in the Pittsburgh area, Pittsburgh ENT and Allergy Partners offers convenient access to top-tier care. We offer online scheduling options through our website, allowing you to request a time that fits your busy lifestyle without spending time on hold.
Our friendly administrative staff is also available by phone to assist you with any questions regarding insurance coverage or referral requirements. We are committed to seeing you promptly so that you can begin your journey toward better hearing immediately. We look forward to seeing you and helping you reconnect with the sounds of your life.