Meet our new Audiologist Annette Berg

With spring approaching quickly, it is hard not to look forward to warmer weather, especially with the cold weeks we have experienced this year so far. As we all know, spring is usually synonymous with rebirth and growth. We feel this is true for those that treat their hearing loss as well. Treating your hearing loss can give a person a new outlook on life. In this newsletter, our newest audiologist, Annette Berg, touches on how important it is to treat your hearing issues regardless of your age.

Annette is taking the place of Dr. Nicole Lilly who had a baby boy, Weston Mitchell Lilly on February 16th. Fun fact: Annette and Dr. Nicole worked together and became friends in a past job so when Nicole decided to stay home with her baby, she was happy to recommend the position to her friend, Annette. In order to allow you to get to know her better, Annette is also our Staff Spotlight for the month.

Also, we’ve had well over 300 patients take us up on our FREE Cognivue cognitive screening in February so we have decided to extend it! Between now and March 31st, come in for your free cognitive screening. Call 303-558-5811 or CLICK HERE to schedule it for yourself.

We’re thrilled to hear that many of you have received your vaccinations and are more confident in coming to appointments. If you are overdue for a hearing aid cleaning, ear cleaning, or hearing evaluation, come on back, we’ve missed you!

Ch’ears'!
Whitney Swander, Au.D.
Owner, Doctor of Audiology

There's no such thing as "I'm not old enough for hearing aids."

~ Annette Berg, M.A., Audiologist

When I counsel people regarding their hearing test results, I never reference their degree of hearing loss based on their age. Numerous patients have told me that after a previous hearing test they were told that their hearing is not bad for their age. I prefer to describe their hearing loss relative to what we know is considered within normal limits. We are all born with very sensitive hearing unless we have been born with some kind of congenital hearing loss.

When performing a hearing test, the patient’s results are plotted on a graph we call an audiogram. I explain that the same graph is used for all ages from infants to people in their 90’s. I will explain to them the type and degree of hearing loss and show them the point on the graph, regardless of age, where we know a person starts to experience enough difficulty that they need to treat it with hearing aids. I then tie this in to what they have told me about the particular listening environments in which they have reported to struggle.

Like hearing loss, there are many health conditions people associate with the process of aging. I explain that like many medical conditions, Hearing loss is related to a person’s genetics and what they may inherit from their parents. Not everyone gets hearing loss as they get older or at least to the degree that they need hearing aids. There are numerous people in their 90's who have hearing that is still within normal limits just as there are people in their 90’s for example who have no heart conditions, or who still have good vision.

We asked Annette..

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

Machaca Beef because it was a favorite of my mom's and she was a great cook; you can make burritos or chimichangas with it and then the next night, tacos; and because everyone for whom I've made it has loved it.

When you were a little girl what did you want to be when you grew up?

A kitty cat (which is weird because now I really don't care for cats, apparently they don't care for me much either, I have been scratched and bitten). I'm much more of a dog person.

What's the last great TV show or movie you watched?

Gone with the Wind followed by Sophie's Choice