The Hearing Center Is Re-Opening!

At The Hearing Center, we are gearing up to reopen our offices to our patients. We have taken this time as an opportunity to adapt our practice to the current environment. While we look forward to seeing everyone’s faces in person, we are going to ask all of our patients to join our doctors and staff in wearing masks for our in-person encounters. We thank you for your trust and look forward to exceeding your expectations!

Here is some of what we have been up to! 

• We have been in local media educating the public on the challenges people with hearing loss will face in this new normal of a mask-wearing society. 

• We have been sourcing PPE which will allow us to provide the safe environment that our patients, doctors, and staff will expect.

• We have continued to service our patients and other facilities patients’ hearing aids. What this has meant is drop-off clean and check services, drop-off repair service, and cloud-based hearing aid adjustments. These are services that we will continue to offer and expand even as our offices open again. 

• We have taken the opportunity to offer our patients video chats and tele-health appointments. This will also be a part of our practice going forward.  We will be able to set up consultation appointments via video chat. 

• We have continued to be responsive to our patients needs via email and phone. 

• We have reinforced our infection control protocols to assure a save environment for our patients and staff. 

• We have converted all of our offices to fully electronic medical records.

• We have been working on designing a see-through mask solution to assist with lip reading and visual cues.

At The Hearing Center, our goal is to provide the very best in hearing healthcare in a safe and comfortable environment. We look forward to welcoming you back to our practices soon!

Covid-19 Guidelines for The Hearing Center

Our practice takes the health of our patients and staff very seriously.  For this reason, we have implemented changes to allow for a safe reopening of our offices.  We have been able to procure enough PPE and have created procedures that we believe will allow for a safe reopening.  We have added additional infection control procedures in between each appointment.   If you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, please contact your primary contact physician.  The Hearing Center does NOT offer Covid-19 testing. 

Here is Guidance from the CDC on Staying Healthy:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home when you’re sick and encourage family to do the same.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and immediately wash your hands. No tissue? Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Patient Appointments:

• We will be offering our first appointments of the day to those in vulnerable populations

• All patients will be asked Covid-19 screening questions

• Patients will be required to respond to specific survey questions prior to their appointment

• All patients and guests will be required to wear masks and sanitize their hands while in our offices.  If you do not have a mask, we will have new, reusable fabric masks available for purchase. 

• All patients will be asked to wait in their cars and call our office when they arrive.  We will advise you when to come into the office.  The goal is to responsibly social distance. ***Please advise us ahead of time if you do not have a cellphone for further instruction***

• All patient forms will be available on line at our website.  We ask patients to complete these forms ahead of their appointments and email them to us

• We ask that only the patient enters the office suite.  1 parent or care-taker will be allowed into the office during the appointment.

The Hearing Center Manalapan Is Partnering With Apple!

The Hearing Center in Manalapan, NJ is very excited to announce that we will be partnering with Apple!

On Wednesday December 18, 9:00 am, at the Apple store in the Freehold mall, the Creative Pro team will be working with us, and offering a special class. This class is directed toward our patients with ‘Made for iPhone’ (Mfi) hearing aids.

At The Hearing Center we always strive to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes in their hearing healthcare. 

We lead such connected lives these days, and we want to make sure our patients make the most of the ‘Made for iPhone’ features of their hearing  aids. At the same time, iPhones have features specifically designed for those with hearing impairment.

We want to make sure our patients are maximizing the benefits of these advanced features. 

We look forward to seeing you at this very special event!

The Hearing Center Is Partnering With Cochlear To Help People Hear For The First Time

The Hearing Center has been a pioneering private practice, offering Cochlear Implants in our New Jersey offices. These implants can have dramatic improvements in hearing, and are often used to help people hear for the very first time!

Dr. Eric Sandler is a panelist at the American Academy of Audiology

Dr. Eric Sandler was recently a panelist at the American Academy of Audiology’s national convention in Columbus, Ohio. The panel discussion topic was the integration of cochlear implant services in a private practice setting. The Hearing Center is very proud of the work they have done as part of the Cochlear Provider Network.

Widex and IOS 12 compatibility update

Widex has confirmed that Evoke hearing aids are compatible with ios 12. It is now advised to move forward with the update for your apple devices. Please contact us if you have any questions.

The Hearing Center Advocates For Audiology Patient Choice

[envira-gallery id="844"] The staff at The Hearing Center has been actively advocating for the Audiology Patient Choice act on behalf of our patients. Currently there is legislation in committee in both the House of Representatives and the Senate that will increase Medicare beneficiaries access to audiologists, with what is called ‘direct access’. Those bills HR 2276 and S.2575 will allow our patients with traditional Medicare to directly access our services.

Our staff met with the Newark, NJ staff of Senator Cory Booker in the summer. Just this past week we met with Congressman Leonard Lance of the 7th District of NJ at his Westfield office. Representative Lance voiced his support for the legislation.

It is of note that the APCA does not increase services currently offered by Medicare, and will NOT increase costs to the plan, it likely will reduce costs incurred by Medicare. Medicare advantage plans currently offer direct access to audiologists, unlike traditional Medicare. The act allows audiologists to practice within their scope of practice and to be reimbursed by Medicare for those services. Other Federal health benefit plans allow for direct access to audiologists. Reach out to your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the APCA today!

IOS 12 and MFi Hearing Aids

Please do not update your iPhone to IOS 12 until we have confirmation that hearing aids will be compatible with this operating system. Hearing aid manufacturers are currently testing to assure compatibility. Please contact our office if you have any additional questions.

We thank Dr. Judie Sandler for her 32 years of dedicated service!

We all would like to thank Dr. Judie Sandler for her 32 years of service at the hearing center. She spent countless hours assisting her patients to diagnose and treat their hearing loss. She is an original founder of The Hearing Center back in 1986! Through hard work and dedication, she has helped build The Hearing Center into the premier full service audiology private practice that it is today. While she will be stepping back, an no longer seeing patients on a daily basis, you will still see her around the office. Please reach out to us if you have any additional questions. We look forward to continuing to provide you the highest quality hearing health care. Appointments can be scheduled with audiologists, Dr. Perle, Dr. Elias, and Dr. Conte.

CONGRATULATIONS NJ FAVORITE KIDS DOCS!

We would like to congratulate Dr. Eric Sandler, Dr. Stefanie Perle, Dr. Alexis Conte, and Dr. Judie Sandler on being selected to NJ Family's Favorite kids docs list! This is the 3rd year in a row for both Dr. E Sandler and Dr. Perle! Please reach out to us to schedule an appointment with any of our highly qualified Audiologists!

Resources for Teachers of Kids with hearing loss

Here are some useful resources for teachers of children with hearing loss.

Teachers Guide Brochure

Tips for Teachers of Teens with Hearing Loss

Please reach out to our office with any additional questions!

Cochlear implant device restores hearing after years of hearing aid use

When it became clear that hearing aids weren't enough to help 9-year-old Emma Kriegstein, her parents and the audiologists at The Hearing Center knew it was time to turn to different technology to improve her hearing.

Emma, of Matawan, was born with progressive sensorineural hearing loss, permanent hearing loss caused by an abnormal or damaged inner ear. According to Dr. Eric Sandler, director of audiology at The Hearing Center, Emma's possibility to hear would likely improve with a cochlear implant, which utilizes an implanted electrode array to bypass the damaged portion of the ear and stimulate the auditory nerve.

"Patients need to meet audiological and medical criteria to receive the implant, and Emma was a perfect candidate," Sandler said.

Emma's hearing loss was confirmed when she was four-and-a-half, although she had expressed difficulties from a younger age. A neighbor referred them to The Hearing Center, which immediately recommended hearing aids. While the devices worked well for around three years, Emma's parents Elizabeth Feudale and Neil Kriegstein noticed diminished hearing in her left ear, a decline which continually worsened.

"We were shocked – even though there was a family history [of hearing loss] on both sides, nobody had trouble as a child," said Kriegstein. "We tried coming up with 1,000 excuses as to why it could be wrong, but there was no question that Emma needed help."

"We've been working with Emma and her family for several years, and we were constantly changing the settings on her hearing aids," added Dr. Stefanie Perle, The Hearing Center's lead audiologist on cochlear implant cases, and one of three audiologists working with Emma. "The hearing aid was no longer providing sufficient benefit. Her best option… was to consider a cochlear implant."

Emma received her implant this past July, and the device was activated by Drs. Sandler and Perle in August. Since activation, Feudale said that there has been a "drastic, positive" change in Emma's hearing.

"There have been major improvements large and small alike," Feudale said. "I can call for her from downstairs while she's upstairs and she can hear me. I can talk to her with my back turned and she will be able to answer me. These life improvements have made a huge difference."

"The implant has changed her life by leaps and bounds," Kriegstein added. "She has picked up on sounds we take for granted, such as a piano playing in a song, and she lights up with joy when she can hear them."

According to Feudale, The Hearing Center fought "tooth and nail" for Emma to receive the care and equipment she needed.

"The staff at The Hearing Center exhibits genuine care and concern for Emma's well-being," Feudale said. "We've been through a bunch of audiologists, and we haven't had the confidence and trust in others like we have for The Hearing Center."

"The Hearing Center has put Emma's quality of life at the front and center of her care," Perle added. "We are beyond thrilled about the progress she's made in such a short time."

Additional Services now offered at 2 of (((The Hearing Center))) Locations

We are very pleased to announce that we are offering the following additional services at the Clark Location:Auditory Processing Evaluations Cochlear Implant Evaluation

The following additional services will now be offered at our Highland Park Location Auditory Processing Evaluations Cochlear Implant Evaluations BAHA Demonstrations Tinnitus Evaluations

Please contact our offices to schedule your appointment today!

Congrats To Our Top Docs!

The Hearing Center is home again to some of New Jersey’s Top Docs for Kids!

After the voting tallies came in, we were so excited to find out that Dr. Sandler and Dr. Perle were again recognized among New Jersey’s top doctors for kids.

Not to be outdone, new member of the team, Dr. Sarah Elias was selected for the first time as well! We are so thrilled for our amazing staff. Most of all, we are SO appreciative of our amazing patients who voted for us and helped us achieve this recognition.

THANK YOU!

Evening Hours added in Manalapan Office!

We are very pleased to announce that the Manalapan office will be adding evening hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays going forward. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact the office at 732-462-8412.

Stefanie Perle, Au.D., Joins The Hearing Center, Offers New Services to Dramatically Improve Hearing

Audiology practice is one of the first in NJ to offer all services outside of a hospital setting

HIGHLAND PARK, N.J., Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Stefanie Perle, Au.D., an audiologist who has a special interest in auditory processing disorders and cochlear implants is joining The Hearing Center on 11/15/2016, making the full-service audiology center one of the first in New Jersey to offer all related services outside of a hospital setting.

"Dr. Perle understands the importance of service," said Dr. Eric Sandler, Sc.D., of The Hearing Center. "Patients trust her, rely on her, and know that she is fully accessible. It's rare for patients to have good access to their healthcare providers. That's what The Hearing Center provides and what Dr. Perle will continue to do with us."

Perle earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Salus University in Philadelphia. She worked at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Center, Edison, N.J., and St. Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, N.J., before transitioning to private family practice.

"Dr. Perle has been practicing for many years, and she brings two specific areas that we haven't offered before: implantable devices and auditory processing evaluations," Sandler said. "She will offer us the ability to further develop our Cochlear Implant and bone-anchored hearing apparatus (BAHA) program." 

Perle identifies candidates for the cochlear implant device and BAHA. Instead of amplifying sound like a hearing aid, a cochlear implant sends electrical signals directly to the brain. A surgeon will perform the procedure, and Perle will conduct follow-up visits at The Hearing Center to ensure the implants are working correctly and the user is acclimating to this new way of processing sound.

"It's rare to have a private practice where you can come for cochlear implants," Sandler said. "Now, there are no audiological services that we have to refer patients to other facilities for."

Perle has a special interest in auditory processing disorders. She diagnoses school aged children seven and older, including children who exhibit signs of auditory processing difficulties at school.

"Auditory processing has a great impact on a child's learning," Perle said. "Typically, the student with auditory processing difficulties has normal hearing, but material can seem like it's going in one ear and out the other, and it clicks the subsequent time it's presented. Why is there a delay? It could be because auditory comprehension abilities are impaired."

Perle's hiring comes just a few months after The Hearing Center hired Sarah Azer Elias, Au.D., to support the expanding practice.

"In a family-based practice like The Hearing Center, I have the opportunity to get to know patients," Perle said. "I'm looking forward to working in a collaborative environment, where I can draw from all of my colleagues' strengths and provide services with other professional, doctoral level audiologists who have such a high level of skill and education."

ABOUT THE HEARING CENTER

The Hearing Center is an advanced full-service audiology practice for children and adults with three New Jersey offices in Highland Park, Manalapan, and Clark. The state-of-the-art facilities are the first in New Jersey to offer all audiological services outside a hospital setting, including cochlear implants; auditory processing evaluations; hearing aid fittings and verification; tinnitus evaluations; noise protection; and specialized earplugs for musicians. The practice celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. For more information, visit www.thcaudiology.com.

The Hearing Center is excited to add Audiologist Dr. Stefanie Perle to its staff

Dr. Stefanie Perle will be joining the hearing center in mid November! We are presently taking appointments for Dr. Perle and the office can be reached at 732-462-8412! Our office can be reached via email at DrEricSandler@thcaudiology.com . Dr. Stefanie Perle earned her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree in 2004 from The George Osborne School of Audiology at Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Audiology from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Disorders and Sciences from The State University of New York at Buffalo. She began her career at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and Saint Peter’s University Hospital where she enhanced her clinical skills for pediatric through adult populations. After starting a family, Dr. Perle transitioned to private practice settings. One of Dr. Perle’s special interests are implantable technology, including cochlear implants and the Bone Anchored Hearing Apparatus (BAHA). Dr. Perle was one of the first audiologists in Monmouth County who was identifying cochlear implant candidates and programming cochlear implants. In addition, she specializes in the diagnosis and management of auditory processing disorders in children and adults. Dr. Perle has been invited to collaborate with several local public and private schools to serve this population of students. She was selected in 2016 as one of New Jersey Family Magazine’s top doctors for children. Dr. Perle holds New Jersey Licenses for both Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing. She is a member the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Outside of her office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

NJ FAVORITE KIDS DOCS!

We are very excited to announce that Dr. Eric Sandler was chosen by readers as a New Jersey's Favorite Kids' Docs by njfamily.com ! Patient's parents took the time to honor Dr. Sandler with a nomination for his work with their children! We were told many parents composed beautiful testimonials about the exceptional care Dr. Sandler had provided to them. This December, the full list of NJ family Kids favorite Docs will be featured in print and on line. We are very excited about this honor and look forward to the December 2016 issue of NJ Family to see the write up about Dr. Sandler!

Welcoming our newest Audiologist! Dr. Sarah A. Elias

At The Hearing Center, we are very excited to announce the addition of Dr. Sarah A. Elias to our dedicated and talented group of audiologists. Previously, Dr. Elias completed a rigorous residency at Hackensack University Medical Center. She has extensive training in treating pediatric through geriatric patients, in both private practice and hospital settings. In 2014, Dr. Elias received the Joan Fox Award from the Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LISHA) in recognition of outstanding scholarship and service to the speech, language and hearing field. Dr. Elias will be seeing patients primarily in the Manalapan and Highland Park offices. The addition of Dr. Elias to our staff will allow us to expand our hours of operation in both the Highland Park and Manalapan offices. To better serve our patients, we have also recently upgraded all of our diagnostic equipment as well as all three office locations. The addition of Dr. Elias will round out our current phase of expansion and we look forward to continuing to offer the highest quality hearing health care in central New Jersey.

Are your hearing aids locked and you do not even know it?

Did you know that many places that sell hearing aids offer 'locked' hearing aids, and never tell their patients this fact? "What is a locked hearing aid?" you may be asking yourself. Well, let us explain. Some chain stores like Sam's Club, Costco, Audigy, Miracle Ear, as well as branded private practices sell private label hearing aids. With private label hearing aids, it is likely that only the chain store that SELLS the hearing aids can also ADJUST the hearing aids.
For example, let's say a provider that offers private label hearing aid sells their practice or goes out of business, then a patient may be VERY limited as to where they can get their hearing aids adjusted. A patient cannot just go to any office to have their hearing aids adjusted. They must go somewhere that has access to the software required to adjust the hearing aids. Places that offer private label hearing aids often use this as a selling point. They advise their patients they can go to any of their stores and have their hearing aids serviced. Often those stores are very regionalized and many in the past have gone out of business.
When you come to The Hearing Center, we only offer hearing aids from major manufacturers. We do not try to obscure who makes the hearing aids we offer or what specific technology level those hearing aids utilize. If you purchase hearing aids from us and move away, whether it is around the country, or around the world, we will work to find you a provider that will service those hearing aids for you.
Any provider that works with the major manufacturers such as Resound, Oticon, Siemens (Sivantos), Phonak, Widex, Starkey can adjust the hearing aids we offer. This allows our patients to receive the best possible hearing health care!
For 30 years, that has always been our goal as we continue to provide Central New Jersey with the best and most comprehensive hearing healthcare there is. For more information and assistance with a locked hearing aid or anything concerning your hearing healthcare, book an appointment at one of our conveniently located facilities today!