| |
|
Audiologist Iain Summerlin |
|
The business also provides a comprehensive range of Specialist testing and services
on Hearing and Hearing Aids including advice, fitting, and ongoing servicing: Iain
Summerlin MSc (Aud), AudSA, C, a
well respected Audiologist operating a private practice in West Perth, has
travelled to Bridgetown and now Manjimup each month for the last 10 years. This
established service of a wide range of hearing assessments is continuing in
Manjimup with South West Hearing Conservation. Mr Summerlin is a family man with
three children. He has been secretary and president of the WA branch of the
Audiological Society and is currently a Cub Scout Leader.
Mr Summerlin studied at universities in England undertaking a Master of Audiology
and continuing his passion of Hearing/Balance by doing 3 more years of research
at the Institute of Sound & Vibration at the University of Southampton. He
has worked as a Staff Audiologist at the New Plymouth base Hospital in New
Zealand, then moved to Australia and worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as
an Audiologist.
In 1984, Iain moved to Perth and started work at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital,
later becoming Audiologist in charge after completing his Clinical Certification
for the Australian Society of Audiology. 1988 saw the setting up and managing of
Medical Audiology Services in West Perth to offer hearing/balance investigation
and aural rehabilitation. In 1992, started his own hearing service business,
also in West Perth, travelling to Bridgetown every month and Joondalup each
fortnight.
Now in Manjimup with South West Hearing Conservation, hearing testing;
hearing aid assessment, fitting and evaluation and review of previously fitted
hearing aids may be undertaken. For hearing testing, the audiogram is the basic
building block to most of the services. This is undertaken in a sound treated
enclosure with background noise levels reduced to those required by the current
stringent Australian standards. Speech testing uses a standardised compact disc
recording of words in varying levels of noise, usually to one ear at a time. It
is perhaps the most (normal) assessment of hearing. Impedance Audiometry
involves the assessment of the mobility of the middle ear system (including the
ear drum) and recording of acoustic reflexes. It is often used in children to
look for problems such as (Glue Ear) but is used for other serious nerve
problems as well. A full report is given to each patient seen.
Hearing aids are fitted to a particular ear shape and hearing loss. After an appropriate
period, the fitting is reviewed and adjustments made as required. With the
current advances in technology, hearing aids can be retuned to keep pace with
changes in hearing level up to certain limits. After two years, it may be
necessary to retune a hearing aid and this is performed using a new audiogram
and real ear prescription of gain once more.
However, a full service of baseline and full audiological assessments performed under the requirements of
WorkCover to workers in noisy sites is offered in Manjimup and also on site by
arrangement; both through Southwest Hearing Conservation. These involve many of
the above assessments and each worker is also provided with a copy of their
current hearing levels.
The benefits of having a private practice visit South West Hearing
Conservation in Manjimup every month is great for any family member who
needs to see a Hearing Specialist. The saving of money, time and trauma
travelling to Perth is a huge benefit to local families and pensioners.
|
|