A board-certified audiologist for 24 years, Dr. Dana Walchek at Hearing Solutions enjoys helping people enhance their hearing.
“I love helping someone hear their family, friends and favorite music again,” she said. “The stories of how someone’s life has improved due to regained independence, participation with previous activities, getting that much-needed job or simply being able to hear the pastor again are the best.”
Dr. Walchek and Dr. Melissa Richardson provide hearing and balance testing and treatment to patients of all ages.
Hearing Solutions assesses hearing acuity, hearing loss, ringing in the ears and dizziness. With their newly expanded facility, they’re now able to offer more services, such as tinnitus treatment and balance treatment.
“In our new facility, we have an expanded schedule with more available providers,” Dr. Walchek said. “We’re so happy for the opportunity to better serve our clients and make it as easy as possible for them to improve their lives.”
With the expanded facility they also now offer cochlear implant services, in addition to having a cochlear implant and BAHA fittings specialist on staff, Dr. Abby Ryan. A cochlear implant is a small device that stimulates a person’s auditory nerve, and it provides a hearing solution for those who are deaf or extremely hard of hearing.
“The testing for a cochlear implant usually takes about an hour and a half to complete,” Dr. Walchek said. “If a patient qualifies, they are referred to an otologist for surgical candidacy evaluation. A month after surgery is completed, patients return to our office where we will install and activate the external portion of the implants.”
Dr. Walchek and Dr. Richardson offer pre-employment testing and follow-up for failed hearing screenings. They also provide hearing aids and assistive-listening devices, including custom earplugs for musicians, swimmers, hunters and workers in noisy environments.
Hearing Solutions tailors its services for each patient and follows a clear mission: “A strong patient-provider relationship based on honesty, integrity and values is what we strive for, and we feel that this is the best approach to making sure you don't miss any of the precious moments in your life,” Dr. Walchek said. “We want our patients to feel like family.”
Dr. Walchek urges patients to treat hearing loss early. “Adults should make an appointment as soon as hearing loss is suspected as well. Sudden hearing loss can be a sign of something more serious happening in the body and should never be ignored.
“Mother Nature is going to start reducing your ability to hear by the age of 50 due to the sounds and noises that you’ve been exposed to throughout your life. So, if no hearing loss is suspected, you should have your first adult test at the age of 50 and schedule an annual check-up every year afterward.”
Hearing Solutions serves its clients by appointment only. To request an appointment, visit hearingsolutionsalabama.com.
- hearingsolutionsalabama.com
- 205.739.2242
- 3000 Meadow Lake Drive, #102, Birmingham, AL 35242
