Hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans. Otolaryngology is the treatment of ear disorders. Otolaryngologists are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. They also manage congenital disorders of the outer and inner ear. Otolaryngologists are commonly referred to as ENT physicians.

The Hearing Center at Midwest ENT & Allergy is a medical facility for the diagnosis and treatment of ear, hearing, and balance problems. Our staff is dedicated to providing high-quality, caring, personal, and affordable service to you in a comfortable environment. Our experienced team of highly-trained physicians and audiologists offer our patients a broad range of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative services, utilizing the latest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including the latest in high technology, virtually invisible hearing aids.

Our goal is to be the center of excellence for the complete care of the ear, hearing and balance in Sioux Falls.  We aim to improve hearing, communication, and quality of life for the patients we are privileged to serve.  Some of the diagnostic and treatment services we provide include:

• State-of-the-Art Hearing Aid Sales and Service
• Ear Disease, including Chronic Ear Infections and Childhood Ear Infections
• Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids or Auditory Osseointegrated Implants
• Cochlear Implants
• Hearing Problems in Children and Adults
• Microscopic and Laser Surgery of the Ear
• Dizziness and Balance Problems, including Ménière's Disease
• Tinnitus (unwanted noises in the ear)
  
  
  

While hearing aids can be used to correct most hearing problems, many people may be hesitant to wear them. That's why two local hearing experts are trying to help break down the stigma that comes with wearing the devices.

What started as a treatable case of influenza quickly turned into something Bob Froke would never fully overcome. "I was missing orders. It was kind of embarrassing and frustrating. I was just really starting to get an empathy for what my patients go through," Froke said. Froke, an audiologist himself was experiencing symptoms he was used to treating his own patients for. "I was asking my colleagues, what? What was that? You know, I was missing things. They put me in the sound booth and tested my hearing and lo and behold I had a 40-decibel hearing loss," Froke said.

Influenza had settled in his ears, and according to Dr. Kenneth Scott viral infections resulting in hearing loss are more common than you may think. "People will often wake up in the morning, they'll hear ringing in their ear as a new thing that they haven't heard before or they even notice that they can't hear their spouse talking to them," Scott said.

Froke says it took him 7 months to accept what was happening. "I bargained. I denied it. I got angry. I thought it would come back but it didn't. Then I'd blame other people, you're mumbling, you're not looking at me... all those things," Froke said. Froke's job depended on his hearing and it was time to face reality. "I was fit with hearing aids and now I don't want to be without them," Froke said. Hearing screenings can be performed at any age, and experts say the sooner the better.

"Your family members are maybe giving you a heard time, and even if you don't need any help at least then you have some proof that you checked it out and they'll leave you alone," Scott said. Froke says thanks to new technology, he can't imagine being without his hearing aids. "I'm a pretty cool grandpa now. I have two grandkids and they go, wow gramps that's pretty cool! Because I can play my music, I have about 400 songs in here and it streams right to my hearing aids," Froke said.

Story by Sophia Heineman
FOR HEALTHBEAT -KELOLAND NEWS