Audiology
Audiology and Hearing Aids
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions, especially in people over the age of 65. Hearing loss can result from many different causes such as exposure to loud noise, an inherited condition, injury or infection and physical changes within the ear caused by aging. Hearing loss usually develops slowly over many years so you may not realize your hearing ability has gotten worse.
You should have your hearing checked if you:
- Have to strain to hear normal conversation
- Ask people to repeat what they’ve said
- Often misunderstand people
- Turn up the television or radio volume excessively
- Watch other people’s faces to follow what they are saying
- Are having ear infections, dizziness or a ringing in your ears
Types of Hearing Loss
The ear is made of three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear collects the sound and directs it to the middle ear where the sound is amplified. The inner ear then converts the sound to nerve impulses that go to the brain.
There are two basic types of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural, and you may have one or both types. A conductive loss occurs in the outer or middle ear when sound waves are disrupted before reaching the inner ear. A sensorineural loss (also called “nerve deafness”) occurs when the nerve signals are disrupted on the way to the brain.
The Wolfe Audiology Department offers state-of-the-art technology applied by experienced staff to create the best results for our hearing impaired patients. The best choices in hearing aids and assistive devices are available to help you hear your best regardless of the type and extent of hearing loss you may be experiencing. Our audiology services include, but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive Testing and Analysis
- Hearing Aid Services
- Advanced Hearing Aid Technologies and Product Lines
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Ear Protection
- Telephone Hearing Test
Hearing Evaluation
If you suspect a hearing loss, you will want to have a complete evaluation. This evaluation consists of a series of diagnostic procedures designed to find out what type of hearing problem exists and what treatment procedures you might benefit from. An audiologist will perform several different tests that will be used to accurately and completely diagnose your hearing problem.
Types of Hearing Aids
After the hearing evaluation, an audiologist will perform additional testing and counseling to determine what type of hearing instruments will meet your needs. There are four main types of hearing aids. Special features and accessories are also available for each type to assist you to achieve your best possible hearing level.
Behind-the-Ear
Behind-the-Ear aids can be used for mild to profound hearing loss. The components are worn in a case behind the ear, and sound is conducted to an ear mold through a plastic tube. Their controls are generally larger, which may be easier for some people to adjust.
In-the-Ear
In-the-Ear (ITE) aids can be used for mild to severe loss. All components are contained in one case that fits in the outer ear and partially extends into the ear canal.
In-the-Canal
In-the-Canal aids are used for mild to moderate hearing loss. This case is more compact than the ITE type and fits in the ear opening and canal.
Completely-in-Canal
Completely-in-Canal can be used for mild to moderate hearing loss if the person has a relatively straight ear canal. This type of hearing aid is almost invisible when worn.
Hearing Aid Fitting
After the hearing evaluation and hearing aid selection, an audiologist will fit and teach you about your aid so you are able to function independently with your hearing aids. This will include instruction on: hearing aid parts, hearing aid programming, daily hearing aid cleaning and use, using the telephone and how to manage hearing aid batteries.
Wolfe Eye Clinic Audiologist Profiles
Bruce Vircks, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Bruce Vircks, Au.D., received his Doctorate in Audiology from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, a division of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, in 2001. He received his Master of Science in Audiology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1981, where in 1977 he received a Bachelor of Science in Education. Dr. Vircks is a Licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dealer in Iowa. He joined the professional staff at Wolfe Eye Clinic in 1983, after completing a fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Dr. Vircks is a Fellow of the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists and the American Academy of Audiology. He is board-certified by the National Institute of Hearing Instrument Studies of the International Hearing Society. He is also a member of the Iowa Speech and Hearing Association, the Iowa Association of Hearing Health Professionals, the National Hearing Conservation Association, the American Auditory Society and the American Board of Disability Analysts.
Some of his professional activities include presentations at State and National meetings on the topics of cerumen management, nonoccupational hearing conservation and hearing aid technology. He was the first to introduce acoustic, programmable, implantable and disposable hearing aids to patients in central Iowa. He was involved in bringing the Lions Hearing Aid Bank to Marshalltown and currently assists in its administration. He contributed, with Lions Club support, infrared systems for the hearing impaired at the Marshalltown Community Auditorium and Martha Ellen Tye Theatre.
Dr. Vircks is a member of the Marshalltown Rotary Club and serves on the boards of various civic organizations. He is married with two children and enjoys tennis, photography, the arts and music.
Sees patients in Marshalltown and West Des Moines.
Jessica Williams, CCC-A
Clinical Audiologist
Jessica Williams, M.A., is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a Master of Arts degree in Audiology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders degree. She is active in the American Speech and Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology, the Iowa Speech and Hearing Association and the Educational Audiology Association. She was the Audiology Speaker Chair for the Iowa 2000 Conference on Communicative Disorders.
Ms. Williams is a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid dealer in Iowa. She joined Wolfe Eye Clinic in December 2000, after completing an internship at Area Education Agency 7 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Ms. Williams and her husband reside in Marshalltown. She is involved in community service activities and enjoys traveling, swimming and reading.
Sees patients in Marshalltown and Cedar Falls.
Catherine M. Dangelser, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Dangelser received her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida-Gainesville in 2001. She received her Master of Arts in Audiology from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1979. In 1978 she completed her Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Dr. Dangelser is a Licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dealer in Iowa.
Sees patients in Ames.
Wolfe Audiology sponsors Dial-A-Hearing screening test. Call 1-641-752-5857 anytime to screen your own hearing.