Midwest Ear Institute offers Comprehensive Audiology Program

Daniel Patterson had just about had it. For 11 years, the semi-retired cognitive engineer tried various hearing aids, but he struggled to find one that suited him just right.

Some devices created hollow feedback or a constant “whooshing” sound like waves. Others were uncomfortable—even painful—inside his ear. Once, he even worked directly with a hearing aid manufacturer to try and design a better device.

Still, no luck. Patterson knew it was just a matter of time before technological advances produced a hearing aid that was the perfect fit for him. So he tolerated the discomfort and annoying feedback and tried to live as normal a life as possible with 50 percent hearing loss. Then last year, Patterson’s son and daughter-in-law gave him an ultimatum: Turn down the blaring television while his grandson was around or he couldn’t watch the 1-year-old.

“Obviously loudness is bad for my grandson’s ears, so I thought I’d give it another shot,” said Patterson, who can’t hear high pitches. He contacted the Saint Luke's Hospital Midwest Ear Institute this past March. That call changed his life.

Third time’s a charm

Part of Saint Luke’s Hospital, the Midwest Ear Institute offers a comprehensive audiology program. It’s one of the few local programs that employ licensed audiologists, experts who specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.

At Midwest Ear Institute, patients with hearing loss can get help through such services as:

  • Hearing aids
  • Hearing protection (for musicians, hunters, workers in loud environments, etc.)
  • Cochlear implants
  • Hearing tests
  • Tinnitus (aka ringing in ears) testing and treatment
  • Patient support groups
  • Comprehensive balance testing for those with dizziness and imbalance
  • And more

Since its founding in 1980, the Midwest Ear Institute has earned a reputation for using cutting-edge technology to treat patients. (See “Hear and Now.”)

“We’re very active in various FDA clinical trials, so our patients are often the first to try out new and enhanced technology,” said Lisa Cowdrey, M.A., CCC-A, director of clinical services.

That was the case for Patterson. He tried two different hearing aids before learning about a new device, called the Oticon Agil Pro, during a follow-up appointment with audiologist Ann Hatfield, M.A., CCC-A.

“It was brand new—she hadn’t even taken it out of the box, and she asked if I wanted to try it,” said Patterson. “We didn’t adjust anything; I just put it in using the manufacturer’s settings.” The result? Patterson could hear perfectly—there wasn’t even any whooshing feedback.

“It’s like watching high-definition TV—it’s that clear,” he said. “This is the high-def of hearing aid technology. I get so used to it, I forget that I’m wearing it.”

Hearing anew

With what he calls “perfect hearing,” Patterson now has an appreciation for everyday sounds that many people take for granted.

“I hadn’t heard the soft patter of rain in 30 years,” he said. “The first time I did, I cried.”

But what amazes him most is how much the hearing aids have improved communication for him. Using Bluetooth wireless technology, the Oticon hearing aids directly connect to Patterson’s phone and iPod. And he can perfectly hear his grandson’s chatter as the toddler learns to talk.

“When you can’t hear what people are saying, it’s hard to carry on a conversation, so you tend to just give up,” said Patterson. “Many people miss out on talking to loved ones, and that’s sad. I hope more have the opportunity to try these hearing aids.”

Hear and Now

Midwest Ear Institute celebrates 30 years of helping patients hear again

In 1980, Charles Luetje, M.D., had a dream: to enhance the quality of life of those suffering from hearing loss by restoring their hearing.

So he founded the Midwest Ear Research Institute (now Saint Luke's Hospital Midwest Ear Institute or MEI) in the old nurses’ dormitory at Trinity Lutheran Hospital. It was through this nonprofit audiology clinic that Dr. Luetje, a cochlear implant pioneer, introduced the technology to Kansas Citians.

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device. It consists of an external processor and microphone that rest behind the ear and an internal electrode that’s placed under the skin. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The implant generates signals that travel via the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes them as sound.

Dr. Luetje had been involved with cochlear implants since the FDA approved the first investigational study for adults in 1979. Today, his dream continues to thrive through the Midwest Ear Institute, now part of Saint Luke’s Neuroscience Institute. Hundreds of area patients have received cochlear implants, earning the Midwest Ear Institute a national reputation for its high volumes and outstanding care. As a result, Midwest Ear Institute doctors regularly participate in clinical trials and groundbreaking research projects.

This means area patients are typically among the first to test cochlear implant enhancements and new cutting-edge treatments.