Baystate Wing Audiology Program Offers Free Screenings at Senior Centers

PALMER — Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.

For patients of all ages, Baystate Wing Hospital’s Audiology and Hearing Improvement Centers located in Palmer and Ludlow offer routine hearing tests, specialized audiological testing, and tests for middle-ear function.

“Hearing loss tends to isolate people; with hearing aids, it can bring them back into the mix,” said Sheila Tzoumas, who joins fellow audiologist Deborah Stroetzel to ensure that all patients receive accurate, up-to-date information to help them find the best possible solution for their hearing loss.

“Depending on their hearing loss, we offer a demo program where our patients can try hearing aids for a few weeks,” said Stroetzel. “Our patients often return saying wearing the hearing aids not only enhances their hearing, but also improves their ability to participate in life again.”

Even with the obvious signs, it still can be difficult to admit changes in one’s hearing. When seniors experience hearing loss, they sometimes feel embarrassed, afraid, and left out. To address this, Stroetzel and Tzoumas offer free periodic hearing services at area local senior centers. These free services are provided by one of the team’s experienced audiologists and include hearing screenings, a check for ear-wax accumulation, and cleaning and checking of hearing aids.

Upcoming screenings include the following dates (pre-registration is required):

• July 31 and Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to noon, Belchertown Senior Center, 66 State St., (413) 323-0420;

• Last Tuesday of each month, 1-2 p.m., Ludlow Senior Center, 37 Chestnut St., (413) 583-3564; and

• Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to noon, Palmer Senior Center, 1029 Central St., (413) 283-2670.

For more information or to make an appointment with Baystate Wing Hospital’s Audiology and Hearing Improvement Centers in Palmer and Ludlow, which offer a comprehensive hearing-aid program providing hearing-aid evaluations, demonstrations, purchases, fittings, adjustments, and cleanings, call (413) 284-5499.