Hearing plays a vital role in how you connect to the world, from conversations with loved ones to enjoying music and everyday sounds. Hearing loss can occur at any age due to congenital conditions, noise exposure, chronic infections or the natural aging process, and it can significantly impact communication and quality of life.
At Endeavor Health, our audiologists provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and personalized hearing rehabilitation. We offer diagnostic audiologic evaluations, hearing aid fittings and cochlear implant services for both adult and pediatric patients, helping you hear more clearly and confidently.
Hearing issues may develop gradually or appear suddenly. When hearing loss develops slowly, it can be difficult to recognize the signs of diminished hearing.
Common signs that you may benefit from an evaluation include:
- Ringing, buzzing, hissing or roaring in the ear (tinnitus)
- Muffled or diminished hearing
- Needing to increase TV or radio volume
- Difficulty following conversations, especially with background noise
- Avoiding social situations
- Frustration trying to communicate with family and friends
Some common risk factors for hearing loss include age, genetics and repeated exposure to loud noises, such as music or machinery without proper hearing protection.
If you are concerned about hearing loss, our team of specialists is here to help. We can perform tests to accurately determine hearing status and provide you with a tailored treatment plan aimed at restoring hearing and managing tinnitus.
Our audiologists care for a variety of conditions:
- Sensorineural hearing loss, often caused by aging, noise exposure or genetics
- Conductive hearing loss
- Hearing loss in one ear
- Sudden hearing loss
- Tinnitus
- Failed newborn hearing screening
- Failed school hearing screening
- Balance disorders
- Ototoxic monitoring
Comprehensive hearing evaluation
Our audiologists complete a series of diagnostic tests for patients of all ages, from newborns through older adults.
A hearing evaluation includes a series of tests that assess the function of the outer, middle and inner ear. Testing typically involves wearing headphones and listening to tones at different pitches and volumes to measure hearing levels. You may also listen to words and sentences to determine your ability to understand speech.
In addition, your ears may be checked for wax buildup, fluid or other conditions that can affect hearing.
Our team reviews test results to determine the type and extent of hearing loss and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Pediatric hearing services
Hearing loss can impact speech, language, learning and social development in young children. Our audiology team provides age-appropriate, comprehensive testing and evaluation for infants, toddlers and children to support early detection and intervention.
Our pediatric team evaluates infants who have not passed newborn hearing screenings, as well as children with hearing concerns, recurrent ear infections or delayed speech and language milestones.
Testing is tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage and may include play-based activities, listening exercises and other specialized evaluations to better understand how your child hears and responds to sound. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing may also be used for infants who have not passed newborn hearing screenings or when additional hearing evaluation is needed.
Once testing is complete, our team reviews the results and develops an individualized treatment plan to support your child’s communication, learning and development.
Vestibular (balance) assessment
Our audiologists also perform vestibular testing to evaluate balance concerns related to the inner ear. These tests help assess how the balance system is functioning and can help identify causes of dizziness or balance disorders.
After your hearing evaluation, our audiologists work with you to recommend treatment options based on your hearing needs, lifestyle and degree of hearing loss.
Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
If hearing aids are recommended, your audiologist will help you find the right style and technology for your hearing needs and lifestyle. During the trial period, your audiologist will adjust and customize your hearing aids and provide counseling to help improve communication and overall hearing comfort.
If you have hearing loss in one ear, specialized systems such as CROS or BiCROS hearing devices may help you hear conversations and sounds from both sides by sending sound from your weaker ear to your better-hearing ear.
Surgically implantable hearing devices
If traditional hearing aids do not provide enough benefit, you may be a candidate for surgically implantable hearing devices, such as cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing systems (Baha).
Cochlear implants
If hearing aids no longer provide enough benefit, cochlear implants may help improve access to sound and speech for adults with severe or profound hearing loss.
Your audiologist will guide you through the cochlear implant process, including hearing evaluations, candidacy testing, device programming and follow-up care after surgery. Our audiology and otology specialists work together to coordinate your care and support you throughout treatment.
Learn more about cochlear implant candidacy, evaluation and surgery.
Bone-anchored hearing systems
Bone-anchored hearing systems (Baha) may help if you have certain types of conductive or mixed hearing loss, or hearing loss in one ear. Your audiologist will work with you to determine whether this type of hearing device may be right for you and provide ongoing support after placement.
Custom hearing protection
Exposure to loud noise from music, power tools, firearms and other environments can lead to hearing loss. Our audiologists offer custom hearing protection to help prevent avoidable hearing damage.
Assistive listening devices
Assistive listening devices and accessories may help improve communication in certain listening environments and can work alongside hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Why Endeavor Health?
Our audiologists provide advanced testing and personalized hearing solutions, working closely with ear surgery specialists when needed.
From newborn screenings to advanced adult procedures, we provide comprehensive hearing loss services for every stage of life.
You can access audiology services at multiple Endeavor Health hospitals and clinics across Chicagoland.
You benefit from a collaborative approach, as our audiology specialists consult otology, neurotology, neurosurgery, oncology and rehabilitation specialists when needed.
Make an appointment
If you are experiencing hearing loss, our audiology specialists can help. We offer comprehensive testing, advanced treatments and collaborative care for both children and adults.
Clinical trials & research
Our audiology specialists participate in clinical trials and research projects aimed at improving hearing restoration and implantable hearing devices. Our patients may have opportunities to participate in innovative studies that shape the future of care.
