Carolina Hearing Services

Hearing Care

At Carolina Hearing Services, we take a Team Approach to make sure you have the best expertise and service at all times. Please take the time to get to know us, we look forward to making sure you get the information you deserve.
Catherine Martine, Au.D.
President and Clinical Audiologist

I have been a practicing audiologist in the Charleston area since 1975 and was the first audiologist in Charleston to go into private practice. I am a Doctor of Audiology, board certified by the American Board of Audiology, a fellow in the American Academy of Audiology, and licensed by the state of South Carolina.
 
In addition to many years of professional experience, I have a personal sensitivity to hearing impairment since I, myself, have a long-standing hearing loss and wear aids to compensate for that loss.  In fact, it was my own hearing loss that prompted my decision to pursue a career in audiology. One of the main reasons I have never regretted that decision is because being an audiologist has both provided me with the opportunity help others as well as giving me the chance to get to know many wonderful people and their families.

As your personal audiologist, I will not only work to find the best, most economical solution to your hearing loss; but, most importantly, I am committed to providing you with the very best after-care.
 
So What Happens During a Hearing Test Anyway?
When you arrive for your exam, you will be greeted by our wonderful front office staff and asked to fill out a few forms, including those that record your personal information, medical history and verify your insurance. You will also receive a copy of a Notice of Privacy as mandated by law.

As your exam begins, Dr. Martine will review your personal information with you and will ask you some questions that are designed to discover the specific types of environments in which you may be experiencing some difficulty in hearing.

Next, Dr. Martine may look into your ears by using an otoscope. This instrument is used to see the ear canal and the ear drum and whether or not there is ear wax obstructing the canal. Sometimes, Dr. Martine will have a video otoscope so you can see inside your ear as well!

The first test that is conducted is the pure tone hearing test. This is conducted in a quiet environment, sometimes in a soundproof booth. Dr. Martine will place headphones that are connected to an audiometer over your ears. The audiometer transmits a series of tones at a variety of volumes into your ears to determine the exact point or “threshold” at which you can hear various frequencies of sounds. When you hear a sound, you will be asked to push a button or raise your hand.

The next test is the speech test. During this test you will listen to a series of one and two syllable words at different volumes and be asked to repeat them. This will determine the level at which the patient can not only detect, but understand speech.

And finally, another test that may be conducted is a speech in noise test. This test will determine how well you hear in a noisy environment.

The results of your tests will be recorded on a graph called an audiogram, which Dr. Martine will review with you. The audiogram reflects your hearing loss in frequencies and decibels.

Dr. Martine will then decide what the next step is for you based on your results. If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, she might recommend hearing aids, a physician visit, or a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist for more diagnosis.

The Digital Revolution…Digital Hearing Aid Features and Technology Levels
The digital revolution has made a huge impact on the way hearing aids look and work.  They can be so small that they are virtually invisible, or even so “cool” looking that you will want everyone to see them.  They can also more accurately mimic the way you used to hear before you experienced hearing loss.

Digital Hearing Aid Features
Dual microphones allow you to hear better in noisy situations.Some can even identify the source of the noise and reduce it!

Open technology that keeps the ear canal unobstructed eliminates that “talking in a barrel” effect.
Feedback cancellation does just that…It cancels feedback BEFORE you hear it as an annoying whistle.
Hands free technology automatically adjusts to your listening environment…whether you are on the phone, in a crowd or in wind.

Your digital hearing aid can be programmed with a computer to meet your individualized needs.

Hearing Care/Diagnostic
Complete Hearing Evaluation (All Ages)
Tinnitus Evaluation - Learn More
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing
Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflex Testing
Hearing Aid Evaluation - Learn More
Hearing Aid Batteries and Accessories
Video otoscopy/ear wax removal, if needed
Central Auditory Testing
Site of Lesion Testing
 Hearing Aid Evaluation

Rehabilitation
Hearing Aid Counseling-adjustment to and use of amplification
LACE (Listing And Communication Enhancement)
Improving listening skills through the use of a home computer program
Real Ear Testing with speech mapping
Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation

 Products
 Complete line of digital and computerized hearing aids
 Ear mold impressions and modifications
 On-site repair lab
 Assistive Listing Devices for telephone, television      
 Customized hearing protection
 (For example: swimmers, sleeping, musicians, motorcyclist, hunters, work-related, recreation, noises)

Digital Hearing Aid Technology Levels
There are so many options available to you! There are four technology levels…Economy, Basic, Advanced and Best. Each level offers digital hearing solutions based on your level of hearing loss, lifestyle and budget.

Click here to find out more about the four levels of digital hearing aid technology.
Find out what it sounds like before you buy!
Call for your FREE demonstration today!
(843) 556-HEAR (4327)

Hearing Aid Styles:

Behind-The-Ear
This style places the circuitry behind the ear, and is designed to meet the range of hearing from mild to profound. The BTE is an excellent choice for those with draining ears, waxy ears and small ear canals.

In-The-Ear (ITE)
This style is custom made fit your entire ear with no wires or tubes attached. The size of the ITE is a good choice for those with dexterity and numbness problems in the hands or fingers. Directional microphones can easily be mounted on this model.

In-The-Canal (ITC)
This style offers more concealment than the ITE. It fits down in the canal of your ear and is relatively unnoticeable. The ITC is an excellent alternative for those who cannot be fitted with a CIC due to ear size and hand dexterity.

Completely-In-The-Canal
The smaller size has greater battery consumption and is more delicate, requiring more repairs.

Open Fit
This style combines the occlusion-free properties of a BTE hearing aid with the sound quality and cosmetic benefits of a CIC. This style has proven quite effective in eliminating the plugged-up feeling individuals get from wearing traditional hearing aids.
 
At Carolina Hearing Services we offer complimentary hearing aid cleanings at your convenience and a 45 day trial period to ensure your satisfaction.

Carolina Hearing Services, Inc
1543 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29407