Hearing Conservation/Audiology Clinic

CLINIC OVERVIEW

The SB Hearing Conservation/Audiology Clinic’s mission is to prevent permanent noise-induced hearing loss through education and early detection of hearing problems. The clinic provides comprehensive audiological evaluations for hearing and ear disorders for all eligible individuals and makes appropriate referrals to correct and/or prevent hearing disorders and associated diseases.

On a referral basis only, the clinic sees all categories of patients 6 months of age and older.  Active duty members receive first priority.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday through Friday	7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Weekends	Closed

CLINIC LOCATION

The Hearing Conservation/Audiology Clinic is temporarily located in Building 680 on the first floor during the renovation of its previous location in Bldg 687.  Access is via the Health Clinic interior walkway.  The reception desk is located in Room 109.  Personnel arriving for unit testing, education or physical exams should enter through the SBHC main parking lot (Sargent St.) entry.

TELEPHONE NUMBER

The Reception/Appointments telephone number is 433-8325.

SERVICES PROVIDED

• Comprehensive, age-specific audiological evaluations.

• 25ID(L) and USARPAC unit hearing conservation testing (groups) – typically from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Unit group testing is conducted on a scheduled basis only.

• Physical exams hearing tests – conducted daily from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

• Hearing conservation annual briefings to 25ID(L) and USARPAC units needing to satisfy annual training requirements – conducted on a scheduled basis only.

• School screenings for children 5 – 18 years of age (late summer/fall) – parents who may be concerned about their child(ren)’s hearing prior to or soon after school starts may schedule a basic air threshold screening.  These screenings are generally scheduled one day per week during this period (usually on Friday mornings).  Call the Reception desk (433-8325) for more information and scheduling.

• Hearing aid fittings and ordering (active duty and retirees only) – Active duty and retired members only may be fitted for hearing aids.  Active duty member hearing aids will be ordered and provided at no charge to the member; however, retirees will need to pay for the cost of the hearing aids under the Army’s Retiree At-Cost Hearing Aid Program (RACHAP).  Costs for hearing aids vary, and typical costs may range from $200 – $700 or more based on the size and type of hearing aid selected.  Please call the Reception desk (433-8325) for more information on RACHAP.

How Do I Make An Appointment?

The SB Hearing Conservation/Audiology Clinic is a referral clinic only, which means that patients must have a referral (consult) generated by their Primary Care Manager (PCM) before they can get an appointment.  Once the referral has been put into the system, the TAMC Central Appointments desk will typically call the patient back within approximately three days with an appointment date and time. Those patients unable to get hearing tests in a timely manner are referred through TRICARE.  Some patients may be scheduled for an appointment by clinic staff when hearing threshold shifts occur during physical exam or hearing conservation testing.  Followup appointments are made by clinic staff on an as-needed basis.

How Do I Cancel An Appointment?

Call the Reception desk to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Patients should call to cancel or reschedule their appointment at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being listed as a no-show for their appointment.

What Special Considerations Should I Know About The Hearing Conservation/ Audiology Clinic?

• Children being tested require at least one parent present during testing. Children not being tested are not allowed in the clinic.  If you arrive for an appointment with extra children, the appointment for the patient being tested will be rescheduled.

• Please check in 15 minutes prior to your appointment time, with your medical record in hand (including hearing conservation and physical exams testing).

• Patients who are more than 15 minutes late for an appointment will generally be rescheduled.  Patients who have been referred by their Primary Care Managers (PCM) and do not show up for a scheduled appointment (no-show) will be sent back to their PCM for re-assessment and re-referral.

How Will I Be Informed Of The Results Of My Testing?

The patient is typically informed of the results of the testing performed during the visit, and will be given recommendations for care or referrals to other health care providers as needed or appropriate.

How Do I Address a Concern or Compliment?

• You may address your concerns to and register compliments with the Health Clinic Patient Representative at 433-8504 (Building 676, Room 102).

• You may also fill out a "Tripler Gold Card" (located near all patient check-in and waiting areas).

• Contact the Hearing Conservation/Audiology Clinic NCOIC.