Our Audiologist
Heather H. Armstrong, Au.D.
Undergraduate: Columbia College
Graduate School: Louisiana Tech University
Clinical Training: San Francisco, California
Board Certifications: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
Heather H. Armstrong is a Doctor of Audiology at the Hearing and Balance Center of Newberry Ear, Nose, and Throat. She was born and raised in Newberry, SC and after graduating from Newberry High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia College. Heather then traveled to Ruston, Louisiana to attend graduate school at Louisiana Tech University. She completed her dissertation “A Communication Process Training Model for Use by Audiologists in Counseling” as well as her residency year in San Francisco, California in April of 2007. She worked in a private practice Audiology setting in the Bay area of California and at a non-profit hospital. Heather and her husband, Mickey have two beautiful daughters and currently reside in Newberry. She has received awards for research in the field of Audiology and really enjoys being able to improve patients overall quality of life. Heather is board certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). She looks forward to working with patients in and around her hometown.
Arlene Hicklin, Au.D
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Graduate School: University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida
Clinical Training: Bay Area Audiology in Webster, Texas
Board Certifications: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
Arlene Hicklin received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She is board certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). Arlene recently moved to South Carolina in 2013 and joined the Greenwood ENT staff in late November of the same year. When she is not with patients, she enjoys spending time working out at the gym or leisurely running outside at sunrise.
Here at The Hearing Center our licensed Doctors of Audiology are capable in assessing infancy through geriatrics.
Hearing Loss
The World Health Organization reported that over 5% of the world’s population (328 million adults and 32 million children) has disabling hearing loss. It was reported that over 20% of Americans have haring loss in at least one ear. Hearing loss can affect anyone at any age, and affects many individuals who are well under the retirement age.
Normal hearing can be described as having hearing thresholds of 25dB or better in both ears. A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal is said to have hearing loss. When describing hearing loss, we generally look at three categories:
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Type of hearing loss
- Sensorineural
- This is permanent hearing loss, caused when the tiny hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or missing. In most cases, the only solution for this type of hearing loss is to be fit with hearing aids.
- Conductive
- This type of hearing loss is due to problems in the outer or middle ear. Common examples include wax, fluid in the ear, eardrum perforation, or damage to the middle ear bones. Conductive hearing loss is often treatable through medication and/or surgery. After treatment, hearing may improve.
- Mixed
- This is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and is usually treated with hearing aids and will often be treated medically by the ENT physician, followed by the use of hearing aids.
- Sensorineural
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Degree of hearing loss
- Mild
- Moderate
- Moderately-severe
- Severe
- Profound
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Configuration of hearing loss
- Which is based on the audiogram
With children, it is especially important to diagnose and treat a hearing loss as early as possible. This limits its potential impact on learning and Speech-Language development. Hearing loss can greatly affect the quality of life for adults as well. Unmanaged hearing loss can have an impact on employment, education, memory/cognition, and general well-being.
Some of the most common causes of hearing loss include:
- Noise Exposure
- Family History
- Medications
- The Aging Process (Presbycusis)
Hearing Aid Styles
There are two basic category styles to hearing aids. There are hearing aids that go behind –the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE). These two basic categories can be separated even further.
BTE Style Hearing Aids
Receiver in the ear (RIC)
Very popular choice as it leaves the ear open with no plugging feel while still giving you the volume you need to hear better. The slimming wire allows the hearing aid to be concealed and the behind-the-ear component is very lightweight. The receiver is located in the ear canal and may be enclosed in a dome earpiece or an earmold (custom fit earpiece). The appropriateness of the device will depend on the degree of your hearing loss. Can have Bluetooth/wireless technology capability.
Traditional behind-the-ear (BTE)
All of the hearing aid components are housed within the device that fits behind the ear. A slim tube or regular tubing extends to the dome ear piece or earmold (custom fit ear piece) located at the end of the wire. Regular bi-yearly maintenance is recommended to maintain the tubing of the aid. These devices are appropriate for any hearing loss. This style is preferred for pediatric patients and patients with excessive moisture and earwax. Can have Bluetooth/wireless technology capability.
In-the–Ear Style Hearing Aids
Traditional in-the-ear (ITE)
This hearing aid fills the outer portion of the hearing aid and is a popular choice for many patients with dexterity difficulties. This style is appropriate for mild to severe hearing losses. Can have Bluetooth/wireless technology capability.
In-the-canal (ITC)
The majority of this hearing aid is located within the canal with a very small portion of the outer ear taken up by the hearing aid. May or may not have Bluetooth capabilities. Very good dexterity is needed for this size aid. This hearing aid can be appropriate for mild to moderate hearing losses.
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
The entire hearing aid is located within the ear canal. Very good dexterity is needed for this size aid. This hearing aid does not have Bluetooth capabilities and takes a very small battery that may need to be changed every 3-4 days. This hearing aid is mostly appropriate for hearing losses that are mild.
Contact
Greenwood Ear, Nose and Throat Abbeville Ear, Nose and Throat
1015 Spring Street 200 Carwellyn Rd.
Greenwood, SC 29646 Abbeville, SC 29620
864-227-0444 864-459-5800
Toll Free in SC
1-866-646-HEAR (4327)
Laurens Ear, Nose and Throat Newberry Ear, Nose and Throat
324 Professional Park Rd. 2032 Medical Park Dr.
Clinton, SC 29325 Newberry, SC 29108
864-833-3333 803-321-1110