Colleen Keith |
|
Dr. Karen Kallio |
Audiology & Hearing Aid Specialists
Colleen M. Keith, M.A. CCC-A
Colleen
Keith joined the practice in 2001. She received her Bachelor
of Arts degree in Communication Arts and Sciences from Michigan
State University in 1984 and her Masters of Arts degree in Audiology
from Wayne State University in 1986. Colleen is a member of the
American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech Language Hearing
Association. Prior to joining the practice, Colleen worked at the
Burns Clinic Medical Center and Northern Michigan Hospital. She
has been providing audiology services in northern Michigan since
1990.
Dr. Karen Kallio, Au.D. CCC-A
Dr. Karen Kallio joined the practice in February 2005 after the making the long move from South Padre Island, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and her master’s degree from the University of New Mexico. She received her audiology doctorate, the highest university award given, thru the school of allied health sciences at the University of Phoenix. Karen is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and holds a Michigan hearing aid license. She has been providing clinical audiology services and hearing aid services since 1999.

Starkey Hearing Loss Simulator
Try out Starkey's hearing loss simulator to better understand what your family member, friend or colleague may be experiencing. This simulator enables you to listen to common sounds in a variety of environments, first with normal hearing and then with simulated levels of hearing loss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audiology Services
Our Audiologists provides diagnostic hearing tests with
our state of the art sound booth and the latest computer technology. The Audiologists are both licensed hearing aid dealers and offers a wide selection of
hearing aids with competitive pricing. If
you have questions or would like to set up an appointment, please
call our office at 231.487.3050.
Four
Styles of Hearing Aids Currently Available
Three types are worn in the ear: Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC), In-the-Canal
(ITC), and In-the-Ear (ITE); and Behind-the-Ear (BTE).

In
CIC, ITC and ITE hearing aids, the receiver, microphone and amplifier
are contained in a shell which is worn in the ear. Completely-in-the Canal
aids are the newest and smallest model available. They fit deep inside
your ear canal so that they're practically invisible. In-the-Canal aids
are small enough to fit almost entirely in your ear canal, making them
hardly noticeable. In-the-Ear aids fit within your outer ear and are the
most widely recommended hearing aid style.
We
offer a wide selection of these custom-made hearing aids, including a
variety of sizes and circuit options.
Advantages
of CIC, ITC and ITE aids:
Inconspicuous and comfortable: invisible to hardly visible when
worn, ideal for use during sports activities, exercise and at work.
Good directional hearing
Advantages
of a BTE aid:
Versatile: a wide range of applications ranging from mild to severe
hearing loss
Easy to handle: easy battery replacement, easy to use and wear
Very comfortable to wear
Fits securely behind the ear
Good directional hearing
In BTE hearing aids, the receiver, microphone and amplifier are
contained in a unit which is worn behind the ear. The sound is carried
from the receiver (loudspeaker) via the ear hook and a flexible plastic
tube, to the ear mold that is worn in the ear canal.
We
offer a comprehensive range of BTE hearing aids in a variety of circuit
options. Our wide selection of amplifier types and parameters allows us
to optimally meet your amplification needs.
Fully
digital hearing aids
In a digital hearing aid, the analog signal is converted to a digital
signal. The conversion to digital format allows the signal processor to
modify the signal in very sophisticated ways. Once the digital signal
has been modified by the digital signal processor it is converted back
to an analog format and transmitted to the ear as sound.
The
digitization process makes it possible to analyze and filter the signal
to improve speech perception in noisy environments. The incoming signal
is measured, or "sampled," at certain intervals. The more frequently
the signal is sampled, the better the reproduction of the input signal.
Increasingly
complex sound processing, such as speech recognition technology, requires
digital signal processing. This technology actually recognizes the unique
patterns of speech and reduces the volume of frequencies where no speech
is detected. When the competing signal is continuous noise, such as fans
or car noise, the noise reduction algorithms become an important part
of the signal processing that improves understanding.
Fittings
& Ear molds
Since
the various different systems produce different hearing impressions, it
is important for you to make a comparison yourself. For this purpose we
will produce custom-made ear molds based on the exact contours of your
ears. We can then ensure that your hearing aid fits perfectly.
To
determine the optimum settings for your hearing aids, we use your audiogram,
as well as your personal impression of how well you can hear. This adjustment
process is carried out using a computer. Once we teach
you how to operate them and instruct you on batteries,
you should wear your new hearing aids for a few days in your regular surroundings.
Based
upon what you tell us about how well you can hear in your everyday surroundings,
we will make any necessary final adjustments to your hearing aids. |