Audiologists & Ear Specialists in Columbia, SC & the Midlands

At Carolina Hearing Institute, our audiologists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment planning of hearing and balance concerns for infants, children, and adults in Columbia, SC and the Midlands. Audiological evaluations help identify how well you hear, whether hearing loss is present, and which treatment or technology options may be appropriate.

• Hearing evaluations and hearing aid consultations
• Digital hearing aid fittings and repairs for most makes and models
• Tinnitus management
• Vestibular testing for dizziness and vertigo
• Auditory evoked potential testing for neural hearing disorders
• Custom-fitted earplugs, including musician plugs and swim plugs

Hearing loss can be sudden or gradual, affect one ear or both ears, and range from temporary to permanent. It can occur at any age, although it is commonly associated with aging, noise exposure, infections, and other ear-related conditions. If you are having trouble hearing conversations, noticing muffled sounds, or asking people to repeat themselves more often, a hearing evaluation can help determine what is causing the problem.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can occur when sound is blocked or disrupted in the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear. Common causes include loud noise exposure, earwax buildup, ear infections, fluid behind the eardrum, age-related changes, inner ear disorders, nerve-related problems, and certain hereditary or genetic conditions.

Types of Hearing Loss

Common types of hearing loss include conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, and central hearing loss. Hearing loss is also measured by degree - mild, moderate, severe, or profound - which helps guide treatment recommendations.

Hearing Loss Treatments

Treatment depends on the location, type, and severity of hearing loss. Depending on the cause, treatment may involve medication for infection-related concerns, procedures to help drain fluid, hearing aids, or surgery for certain bone, nerve, or tumor-related problems. If hearing loss happens suddenly or occurs with dizziness, fever, or pain, contact the office right away so an otolaryngologist can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether a hearing test or medical exam is needed.

If you are having trouble understanding conversations, turning the volume up more often, or feeling that hearing issues are affecting your quality of life, it may be time for a hearing evaluation. Our audiologists provide diagnostic testing and personalized hearing aid recommendations based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, dexterity, activity level, and budget.

Getting a Hearing Aid

To obtain a hearing aid, patients typically need a comprehensive audiological evaluation within six months, medical clearance from a physician - preferably an ENT - and a hearing aid consultation to discuss hearing needs, lifestyle, and technology options. Follow-up visits are important for fine-tuning hearing aids and helping patients get the best possible benefit.

Financing & Trial Periods

Financing options may be available; patients should ask their audiologist for current details. Most states, including South Carolina, require a trial period for hearing aids. If you are not satisfied, you may be able to return or exchange the device, though a fitting or restocking fee may apply.

Important Note

Hearing aids do not restore normal hearing, but they can improve conversations, social engagement, and quality of life for many patients. Our audiologists work closely with patients to adjust hearing aids and support long-term hearing success.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head when no outside sound is present. Patients may describe tinnitus as ringing, rushing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, or another sound. Tinnitus can be frustrating, especially when it interferes with concentration, sleep, or daily activities.

What happens during the tinnitus evaluation?

During a tinnitus evaluation, the audiologist will discuss the nature of your tinnitus, review your history of tinnitus, hearing loss, and sound sensitivity, determine the category of tinnitus, and discuss an individualized treatment program.

How is tinnitus treated?

There is no single cure for tinnitus, but many patients are able to acclimate to their tinnitus with the right support. Depending on your needs, treatment may include amplification through hearing aids, biofeedback, cognitive therapy, sound therapy, or other management strategies. The American Tinnitus Association can also be a helpful patient resource for additional education.

Custom-fit earplugs can help protect your hearing in noisy environments or keep water out of the ears while swimming. These options may be helpful for patients with ear tubes, patients prone to outer ear infections, musicians, hunters, swimmers, and people who spend time in loud work or recreation settings.

• Swim plugs can help protect the ear from water for people with tubes in their ears or those prone to outer ear infections.
• Swim plugs are available in various colors and are customized using earmold impressions.
• Personal listening earbuds are customized for music headsets and other listening devices.
• Musician monitors help musicians monitor music and voice quality during performances.
• Hearing protection earplugs are available with different noise-filtering levels for hunting, concerts, noisy work conditions, sleep, and other loud environments.

If you are unsure which protection option is right for you, our audiology team can review your needs and recommend an appropriate fit.

South Carolina ENT provides diagnostic audiology services for hearing, balance, and ear-related concerns. Our audiologists work side-by-side with board-certified physicians, allowing patients to receive diagnostic testing and medical guidance within a comprehensive ENT setting.

OAEs

Otoacoustic emissions testing helps the audiologist understand how the outer hair cells of the inner ear respond to sound stimulation. OAE testing is commonly performed on infants and young children as an accurate method of screening for hearing impairments.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry tests the condition of the middle ear and the movement of the eardrum by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal. This procedure can help identify middle ear concerns, including fluid behind the eardrum, which is common in children after upper respiratory infections.

Hearing Evaluations

Hearing testing begins with an auditory history, including questions about family history of hearing loss, previous ear infections, tinnitus, and noise exposure. Testing may include otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry in a sound-treated booth.

How long does the hearing test take?

The test takes approximately 30 minutes.

Should I bring anything?

Please bring any previous audiograms, if available. Recommendations will be made based on the results of the evaluation.

Videonystagmography (VNG)

VNG is an objective test that assesses the balance system and related pathways to help evaluate dizziness, vertigo, and other balance concerns. During VNG testing, goggles are placed over the eyes and connected to equipment that monitors eye movement. The results are interpreted by an audiologist to help determine the integrity of the balance system.

ECoG

Electrocochleography, or ECoG, is an objective test used to aid in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease and other disorders. The test measures electrical potentials generated in the cochlea in response to sound stimulation.

ABR

Auditory Brainstem Response, or ABR, is an objective test that assesses the organs of hearing, auditory nerve, and auditory pathways to the level of the brainstem. It may be used to evaluate the integrity of the hearing system and estimate the softest sound a patient can hear at different pitches.