Silverstein Institute - Menieres Disease and Tinnitus Treatment > Divisions

Our Medical Hearing Systems division is staffed with both clinical audiologists licensed by the State of Florida and certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association, and licensed hearing specialists.

The organization was created to provide you with a full range of hearing services including personal hearing systems, assistive listening devices, and personal care with a team approach.

Physicians in the Silverstein Institute work with audiologists and hearing specialists to give you the best possible result for your hearing health.

Facts About Hearing Loss
*More than 2.5 million cases of hearing impairment are reported annually in the United States?

Permanent hearing loss can result from repeated exposure to noise at hazardous levels like noise from firearms, rock music, portable tape and CD players with headphones, jet airplanes, lawn mowers, power tools and many others.
Approximately 30% of the people over age 65 and 70-80% over 75 years of age have significant hearing impairment.
Baby boomers (35-55 years of age) are showing increased hearing loss at earlier ages.
Hearing loss can affect the quality of life. Elderly people with a hearing impairment experience reduced mobility, reduced involvement in social activities, and loneliness.

Add those together and it equals a diminished quality of life. Thanks to modern technology, however, today, most people can benefit from hearing devices. There are a wide range from which to choose and each can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

A complete package includes a 30-day trail period, the hearing device evaluation, ear mold impressions, delivery, REAL EAR testing, as well as follow up appointments for a cleaning of your hearing device and an annual hearing test. Payment is due at the time of delivery, however, if after 30 days you decide to return the devices, a non-refundable deposit will be retained and the rest reimbursed.

During the trial period, you will have an evaluation by an audiologist or dispenser to determine the performance of your new hearing devices. This evaluation uses the REAL EAR computer. In addition, you will have a hearing test wearing your hearing devices as an extra insurance to be sure you are getting the best hearing possible. Every person’s hearing is unique. No two hearing devices are alike, as well. Your individual needs will differ from another’s. Hearing devices are instruments to help deliver more natural information to the wearer.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

	Vicki Alexander LPN, Vestibular Therapist Director Hearing & Balance Division Vicki joined the Silverstein Institute in 1993 as a nurse in the clinic and began studying Vestibular Therapy. Vicki began the Silverstein Institute Vestibular Rehab Program in 1993. Currently our Vestibular Rehabilitation program is offered in both the Sarasota and Venice offices. Silverstein Institute has had 7100 patients participate in the Vestibular Rehabilitation program since 1993. Vicki is the Director of the Hearing and Balance Division at the Silverstein Institute. She is a member of the Associaton of Rehab Nurses, the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators, and American Hearing Aid Association.

	Carmelo Ortega, M.S. CCC-A Carmelo received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the Inter-American University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He continued his studies to be awarded a Master of Science Degree in Audiology, from the Medical Science Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Carmelo specializes in audiological assessments, Cochlear Implants, and Implantable Hearing Devices. He is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Carmelo joined the Silverstein Institute in 1999.

	Liz Perry, B.A., B.C.- H.I.S. Liz received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of South Florida in 2000. She became a part of our team in June 2001. Liz received her license from the state of Florida as a Hearing Instrument Specialist in 2003. Later, in 2005, she received her National Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and the Florida Society of Hearing Healthcare Professionals Inc. Liz provides patients with diagnostic hearing tests and hearing aid dispensing.

	Karen Pinsky, AuD, CCC-A Karen received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida. Karen completed her fellowship at the Silverstein Institute in 2007 and has since continued on at the Silverstein Institute as a Doctor of Audiology. She specializes in adult and pediatric audiologic assessments, Cochlear Implants, and aural rehabilitation. Karen is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is also a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

	Deborah Hudak, M.S. Deb is originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania. She graduated from West Virginia University with an M.S. in Audiology. Deb has been with the Silverstein Institute for over 20 years. She works in both our Sarasota and Venice offices providing patients with diagnostic testing, cochlear implants, and other implantable hearing devices.

	Joe Wall, LPN, Vestibular Therapist Joe has been teaching balance therapy with the Silverstein Institute since his graduation from Sarasota County Technical Institute's Nursing Program in 2005. Joe's emergency medical background led him back into the nursing end of the medical field when he retired and moved to Florida. Joe's focus at the Silverstein Institute is teaching patients to better understand their balance issues and how to improve their dizziness and balance problems. The therapies that Joe teaches are designed to increase balance, reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, reduce fall risks, and increase self-confidence while performing daily activities.

	Steve Goff, M.A., CCC-A Steve has 25 years experience in the field of Audiology. He earned his Audiology degree at Wayne State University Medical School along with a degree in Genontology in Detroit, Michigan. He headed his own private practice there until July of 2007 when he joined the staff at the staff of the Silverstein Institute in the Venice office.



	Kevin Christian, Audiology Technician Kevin joined the Silverstein Institute as an Audiology Technician in April of 2007. Kevin has been an integral member of the Institute's outreach program. Kevin routinely goes out to other doctor's offices and provides hearing screenings to their patients. He also provides hearing screenings through the Ear Research Foundation to pre-school and kindergarten students in Sarasota County. Kevin provides patients with audiological assessments and balancing testing.

	Diane Lewis, RN Diane graduated in 1972 from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing with a three year diploma. She started working for Dr. Silverstein in January of 1982 as the allergy nurse and x-ray technician, as well as working with Dr. Silverstein in the rooms with the patients. In 1986, Diane started doing special testing for dizzy and balance patients and has continued doing so ever since. She also spent several years monitoring patients' hearing during some of Dr. Silverstein's surgical cases.

When you enter the office, you will initially be given a thorough audiometric evaluation, which includes hearing testing for air and bone conduction, speech discrimination, and impedance audiometry, which may include reflex testing and reflex decay testing. In order to rule out any medical problems that may be causing your hearing loss, we may recommend a complete ear, nose, and throat examination by an otolaryngologist.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

Fees for testing will vary depending on the type of testing performed. If your Medicare deductible has been met for the calendar year, we do accept assignment. Unless other arrangements have been made, payment is due at the time of service.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

Hearing aids and hearing devices If testing has determined that your particular loss can be helped with hearing devices, we often recommend using one in each ear (binaural). This allows for more natural hearing, better sound localization, and better speech discrimination. Binaural hearing also is less tiring, creates a feeling of balance, and is more comfortable in loud noises.

The following is a selection of the many styles of hearing devices available through the Silverstein Institute. Because of the wide variety of devices available, your audiologist will determine which type of hearing device is best for you.

Click any image for a larger view.

	Ion V3 Virtually Invisible- We challenge you to find a smaller hearing device in the same class. ION is so discrete that people will be shocked should you decide to show them your hearing device. Comfortable- lightweight Ion is so light and comfortable that you'll forget you're wearing a hearing device. Natural - Open Ear Design- By design Ion allows both natural and amplified sound to enter your ear canal. Ion amplifies the high-pitch sounds that you're missing, with out overwhelming you with the sounds you're not. Also, since your ear canal remains open you won't experience a plugged feeling, and your voice won't sound unnaturally loud.

	Behind-the-Ear (BTE) • For mild to profound hearing loss • Larger two - piece hearing device • All components contained in a case that is worn behind the ear • A hard - molded plastic case is worn behind the ear, and a custom - fit earmold extends into the ear • May be barely visible depending on case color and earmold color

	Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss • Very small one - piece hearing device • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell • Fits inside the ear canal • Barely visible or not visible at all in the ear canal

	Mini-Canal (MC) • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss • Small one - piece hearing device • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell • Fits mostly in the ear canal and extends slightly outside of the ear canal • Barely visible in the ear

	Half Shell (HS) • For mild to severe hearing loss • Larger one - piece hearing device • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell • Fills a portion of the bowl of the ear • Visible in the ear

	In-the-Canal (ITC) In-the-Canal-Power (ITC-P) • For mild to moderately - severe hearing loss • Small one - piece hearing device • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell • Fits outside the ear canal • Slightly visible in the ear

	In-the-Ear (ITE) • For mild to severe hearing loss • Larger one - piece hearing device • All components contained in a custom - fit, hard - molded plastic shell • Fills the entire bowl of the ear • Visible in the ear

You can now hear from a deaf ear with a Bi-Cros hearing device!

The Cros\BiCros Hearing Aid device picks up sound from the deaf ear and transfers it to the better hearing ear. The Brain thinks you are hearing from the deaf ear.

This digital hearing aid device can be used when the hearing significantly better in one ear. There is a 77% acceptance rate for this device. It is used in patients with hearing loss due to hereditary or aging and Meniere’s disease, Acoustic neuroma, Auto Immune disease, Temporal bone fracture, Noise exposure or sudden hearing loss.

This special hearing aid, worn in both ears, transmits sound from the deaf ear to the better ear. It lets our patients localize to sound, increase speech intelligibility in quiet and noise, and provides a more natural sound quality, as if they were hearing with both ears.

Ask one of our hearing professionals about Digital Cros \ BiCros hearing aids to see if you are a candidate. You can try it for one month and if not satisfied return it.

Cros Option: used when one ear is normal and other ear has a profound loss or unaidable.

Bi-Cros Option: used when the better ear has aidable hearing loss and worse ear has a profound or unaidable hearing loss.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

Do you need a hearing device?

Answer these few simple questions to find out.

Yes	No	1. You can hear, but you can’t understand things such as women’s and children’s voices, bird songs, the first letter of words such as dime, time, bake, and cake.

Yes	No	2. You have difficulty in understanding what is being said, unless you are directly facing the speaker.

Yes	No	3. You find yourself complaining that people are mumbling or slurring their words.

Yes	No	4. You are continually asking people to repeat words or phrases, though they feel they are speaking loud enough.

Yes	No	5. You prefer the TV or radio louder than others do.

Yes	No	6. You have difficulty understanding conversations with a group of people.

Yes	No	7. You avoid group meetings, social occasions, public facilities, or family gatherings where listening may be difficult.

Yes	No	8. You have trouble hearing at the movies, house of worship, concert halls, or at other public gatherings—especially where sound sources are at a distance from the listener.

Yes	No	9. You have ringing in the ears or other head noises (hissing, buzzing, crickets, etc.)

If you answered “yes” to at least two of these questions, you may have a hearing loss and should have your hearing tested. Call 941-951-0440 in Sarasota or 941-486-0950 in Venice to schedule your free hearing screening and have a free demonstration of the hearing devices that would help you.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.

We firmly believe that hearing devices are only a part of a comprehensive hearing rehabilitation program. Because it takes time to become adjusted to a new prosthetic device, we suggest strategies for compensating. Family members are encouraged to participate as well to help them better understand your unique situation.

Assistive listening devices for the telephone, television, or group conversation are also avenues available for you. Ask your audiologist for a demonstration of any of these items. We also suggest at least twice a year you have your ears professionally cleaned (cerumenectomy) and have an annual hearing test and ear examination.

In conjunction with the Ear Research Foundation, we maintain a Hearing device Bank (much like the Lions Club does with eyeglasses). These donated hearing devices are repaired and given to needy people, those who do not qualify for any assistance. If you know of someone who has some unused hearing devices, talk with your audiologist or call the center.

If you have any questions, need additional information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call TOLL FREE 1-888-418-9200.