Now hear this — St. Anthony’s Medical Center’s Audiology and Hearing Center has moved from the main hospital building to Suite 255 in St. Anthony’s Medical Plaza, 12700 Southfork Road.

Audiology services in the new location are provided on an outpatient basis only.

“Since more than 95 percent of the center’s referrals are outpatients, we wanted to make it as convenient as possible for them to access these services,” Deni Levick, St. Anthony’s director of therapy services, stated in a news release.

Patients now can schedule an appointment with the audiologist and pre-register for a hearing test with a single phone call, and they no longer need to stop at Out-patient Registration when they come for their visit. Ample parking exists near all entrances to the plaza, and the walk to the new office is short.

“Our new office is both more convenient and more attractive,” audiologist David Heffner stated. “It’s a lot less clinical and really just a pleasant place to come.”

A variety of hearing tests, all requiring a doctor’s order, are offered at St. Anthony’s Audiology and Hearing Center, including:

• ENG test — electronystagmogphy — Often referred to as “the dizziness test,” this tests a variety of systems, especially those pertaining to vision and balance, as related to the inner ear. This test often is ordered by ear, nose and throat specialists for older patients. It is a computerized test, usually done in conjunction with a hearing test.

• BAER — brainstem auditory evoked response — Also referred to as the “site of lesion test,” this is a painless, relatively inexpensive test for people with unequal amounts of hearing loss. They may have a tumor on the bundle of nerves that collects information from the ear and transmits it to the brain stem. This test also is good for patients who have pacemakers and can’t undergo an MRI.

• Hearing tests — A diagnostic audiogram finds out if the person has hearing loss, its impact on communication and what part of the ear is affected. It also reveals any physical change or damage to the auditory system.

A simple screening test, to determine if a person has a hearing loss, is available at no charge and without a doctor’s orders. The audiologist performs a five-minute screening, then answers any questions the patient may have. While the screening is offered free as a service to the community, an appointment is required.

“We also provide and fit the most state-of-the-art hearing aids available, at the low-est possible prices,” Heffner stated. “There is no charge for follow-up visits to patients purchasing our hearing aids, for the length of each hearing aid’s warranty; and minor repairs are made on site, without loss of the use of the hearing aids.”

For more information about the center, visit

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