The audiology experts at Penn State Health provide comprehensive diagnostic services and treatments for both children and adults.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has 12 doctors of audiology on staff who specialize in a wide range of hearing and balance problems. In addition, we have a cochlear implant speech pathologist and a Pennsylvania licensed hearing aid dispenser.

Audiology clinic facts

• Hershey Medical Center is the only hospital in central Pennsylvania that offers sedated auditory brainstem response testing to identify hearing loss in infants. With pediatric patients, the goal is to identify hearing loss by three months of age and provide intervention/amplification by six months. This is a nationwide standard for all infants, as appropriate intervention provides access to audition and the development of speech and social skills.
• Hearing aid services are offered for all ages, including real-ear measurements, behavioral testing and subjective assessments for verification of fittings. Bone anchored hearing systems in both surgical and nonsurgical options are evaluated, programmed and managed.
• Cochlear implants can improve hearing for adults and children. The cochlear implant team consists of audiologists, physicians, speech/language pathologists and other health care professionals who provide activation and programming for all three cochlear implant manufacturers. Adult and pediatric cochlear implant support groups meet throughout the year to provide comprehensive patient and family support.

Available diagnostic evaluations

• Acoustic Immittance, Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflex Studies – Provides information on the mechanical integrity of the ear.
• Auditory Brainstem Response Testing (ABR) – Evaluates the integrity of the nerve that runs from the inner ear to the brain. Electrodes are placed on the scalp while the patient listens to clicking sounds.
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) – Tests of the outer hair cells that help with hearing are used for both screening and comprehensive evaluations. 
• Pure Tone and Speech Audiometry – Measures auditory acuity at varying pitches and the patient's ability to hear and discriminate speech.
• Vestibular/Balance and Electrophysiologic Evaluations:
  • Videonystagmography – Measures eye movements to evaluate balance
  • Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential – Assesses the response of the balance system to loud sounds
  • Electrocochleography – Evaluates the inner ear and auditory nerve’s response to sound stimulation
  • Electroneuronography – Measures the function of the facial nerve. Facial nerve problems can cause hearing loss, pain and balance problems.
  • Auditory steady-state responses – Determines frequency-specific hearing impairment

Meet our Experts in Audiology Care

These experts provide traditional and advanced care for both children and adults.

Support Groups

Support groups provide an opportunity to share your feelings and connect with other patients and caregivers who are experiencing similar struggles.

Learn more about support groups offered