| About
Us
Healthy Hearing & Balance Care is a private
independent audiology practice bringing together the expertise
of audiologists, psychologists, speech pathologists, auditory
therapists, physiotherapists and ear specialists to provide
customised strategies for the prevention, assessment and
rehabilitation of all hearing and balance disorders. Each
client is treated as a unique individual and our mission
is to care for their hearing and balance needs to the best
of our knowledge and expertise using the latest available
technology, methods and procedures.
Our director Celene McNeill is a fully
qualified audiologist with a post-graduate Masters degree
and is an active member of Audiology Australia (ASA), Australian
College of Audiology (ACAud), Australian Association of
Audiologists in Private Practice (AAAPP) and the American
Academy of Audiology (AAA). Celene has more than 25 years
experience as a clinician and researcher on hearing and
balance disorders, and holds a part-time position in the
Audiology division of Macquarie University, Sydney.
Our Services
We offer a complete range of audiological
procedures using the most current equipment and techniques
to test infants from 8 months of age, children, adults and
the elderly.
We welcome referrals from general practitioners and specialists.
Diagnostic audiology tests
•Audiometry (pure tone
air, bone and speech)
•Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflexes
•Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
•Electrocochleography (ECochG)
•Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR)
•Cortical Auditory Evoked Responses (CAEP)
•Auditory Processing tests
•Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMPS and
oVEMPS)
•ENG and Caloric tests
Referring doctors please click
here for our referral form which
can also be mailed to you upon request on hhbc@tpg.com.au
or (02) 9387 3599
Diagnostic
test reports:
Test results will be posted, faxed or emailed to referring
doctors within a week of test completion after being analysed
and signed by one of our ear specialist consultants.
Our Areas of Expertise:
Tinnitus, hyperacusis
and acoustic shock
are disorders of the ear and auditory nerve pathway which
may become very distressing, affecting quality of life.
We provide assessment, management and treatment of these
conditions using the latest technology combined with the
expertise of audiologists, psychologists and ear specialist
as required.
Audiologist Celene McNeill has
a special interest in these disorders being a professional
advisor and board member of the Australian Tinnitus Association
of NSW (ATA) for 14 years. Our audiologists are also fully
accredited to provide the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment.
Meniere’s
disease is a complex ear disorder associated with symptoms
of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo (spinning or rotating
sensation) and occasionally vomiting. It can be a debilitating
condition for some but appropriate management of the symptoms
will ensure a good quality of life. We are proud to be the
only audiology clinic in Australia fully specialised in
the management of Meniere’s disease.
Celene McNeill has been a professional
advisor to the Meniere’s Support Group of NSW since
1996 and is currently conducting a research project as part
of a PhD degree at Macquarie University on the use of hearing
aids for fluctuating hearing loss as in Meniere’s
disease.
Hearing rehabilitation including
assessment, selection, fitting, repair, maintenance, batteries,
accessories and parts of new and existing hearing aids,
implantable hearing devices such as cochlear implants (bionic
ear), vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), and the bone anchored hearing
aids (BAHA).
Our clinic is under no obligation to any manufacturer so
that we are able to offer and service a full range of hearing
aids and implantable devices from manufacturers worldwide.
Our audiologists pride themselves
beig able to provide unbiased advice and recommendations
based on each client’s real needs.
New hearing aid users can be assured of receiving the best
and most economical device based on their current needs.
Existing hearing aid users
will always have their existing aids fully optimised and
assessed before considering the need for new technology.
Our clientele has recently
been surveyed regarding satisfaction with their hearing
aids fitted and serviced at our clinic and we found that
a staggering 98% of them wear their hearing aids on a regular
basis.
Our cochlear implant and BAHA
clients always receive prompt and personalised service with
a loan device available any time their own device needs
repairing.
Order your batteries,
accessories and parts by email at hhbc@tpg.com.au
or call (02) 93873599 and we will post them to you.
Celene McNeill has published and presented
scientific papers at different conferences on the subject
of cochlear implants, BAHA and hearing aids and also contributes
with articles to self-help groups such as SHHH and CICADA.
Complex hearing losses and
dissatisfied hearing aid users.
We have developed a reputation of being able to solve the
hearing needs of clients who could not be helped elsewhere.
If you are not satisfied with your hearing status or have
been told that nothing else can be done for your problem,
make sure you pay us a visit. Our audiologists love the
challenge! No problem is ever too difficult if you are prepared
to work with us towards achieving your hearing and balance
goals!
Auditory processing
disorders (APD) affect children and adults of all
ages. The main symptoms are inability to understand speech
and in following instructions in noisy environments. Not
everyone with such symptoms have APD so accurate testing
is required. Children with APD usually have learning and
behavioural problems. Our audiologists offer a comprehensive
battery of validated audiological tests to assess auditory
processing function using behavioural and objective auditory
evoked response procedures in clients from 7 years of age.
Test results are then used to recommend management techniques
for the condition using the most appropriate strategies
for each individual problem.
Auditory Training and
Speech Therapy are options offered at our clinic
to complete the rehabilitation process of adolescents and
adults with deafness or hearing losses who have been fitted
with cochlear implants and/or hearing aids.
Our children and adult clients
with APD also benefit from auditory training, speech and
music based therapies to develop and improve auditory processing
skills. A Psychologist, Auditory
therapist and Speech Pathologist
are part of our experienced group of professionals.
Earplugs
are custom made at our clinic for swimming, noise and music.
We have a growing number of professional musicians, sound
engineers and DJ’s who come to our clinic for our
special musician ear plugs which are custom designed to
attenuate sound levels without compromising quality. Purpose
made earplugs can also be made to protect industrial noise
workers from high sound levels as well as to protect swimmers
ears from the effects of cold and/or polluted water.
Assessment and counselling
for prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus for those exposed
to professional and or recreational loud sound are an integral
part of our services.
Our Fees:
Healthy Hearing & Balance Care is an independent private
practice that tries to keep charges to a reasonable minimum
rate. Payment for fees and services are expected on the
day of the appointment.
Private clients may be able to claim a partial rebate from
Medicare or Health Fund, as applicable.
Health care, age pensioners
and veteran’s affairs card holders are bulk
billed upon a doctor’s referral for all diagnostic
tests which attract a Medicare rebate and billed at a reduced
rate for all other services.
Senior Citizens cardholders are offered a 5% discount in
all service fees, which do not attract a rebate.
Medicare: rebate is available for diagnostic
test procedures only upon a doctor's referral to the clinic.
Prompt and comprehensive reports of audiology test results
are provided under the supervision of ENT specialists, conforming
to Medicare requirements. Click
here for a referral form.
Enhanced Primary Care:
clients with a chronic condition may qualify for a special
Medicare rebate upon a GP’s care plan which may include,
audiology, psychology and/or speech therapy.
Click here for a referral form.
Health Funds: most plans will provide partial
reimbursement for hearing aid purchases, psychology, physiotherapy
and speech therapy sessions and full cover for Cochlear
Implants and BAHA devices. Audiological services involved
in the fitting, programming and services of hearing aids,
cochlear implants and BAHA are not covered by health funds
at the moment.
Payment Options: EFTPOS direct debit is
the preferred form of payment. Direct Internet Transfers,
major credit cards and cheques are also accepted.
Payment plans: up to 12 monthly interest
free instalments is available upon application. Click
here for an application form.
Cost of Hearing Aids:
Our prices are very competitive ranging from $2,000 to $5,000
depending on the required features. A 10% discount applies
for EFTPOS direct debit payments.
Private clients are offered
a trial of at least 4 weeks before purchasing the instruments.
Full payment deposit in form of a cheque or credit card
is expected on the fitting day, which will not be banked
until the end of the trial period when the hearing aid has
proved to meet client’s requirements and satisfaction.
Age Pensioners and DVA may be eligible
for free hearing aids from the government by applying to
Office of Hearing Services. Click
here to download an OHS application form.
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©2008,
Celene McNeill
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