Alta Bates Summit offers a comprehensive Audiological Services program, located at the Herrick Campus (View Map).

Our services are available for pediatric and adult clients, and include a wide range of diagnostic tools and procedures.

Services include: audiological testing to determine type and degree of hearing loss, pure tone air, bone and speech testing, middle ear assessment, auditory processing screening and testing, otoacoustic emissions testing and auditory brainstem evoked response testing.

* A hearing aid dispensing program is also an integral part of our services.

The Audiology Department also oversees all newborn hearing screenings (routinely preformed by our Women and Infants program) as now mandated by the state of California.

Our department contracts with a large number of insurance providers. However, please keep in mind that hearing aids are not covered by Medicare but may be covered in whole or part by a limited number of insurance plans.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday. For more information or to arrange an appointment, please call (510) 204-4616.

What Our Clients Say:
- "I have known Robert Green for twenty years. I have a significant hearing problem. Robert has been able to address my problems with concern and knowledge. He is a fine audiologist. He is very personable, and demonstrates caring by going to Third World countries every year to help produce hearing aids for very low income children."

- "Robert is excellent, trustworthy, knowledgeable and explains procedures thoroughly. My insurance is no longer contracted with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center for expensive hearing aids, so I went elsewhere but did not receive the same quality care, so I came back to Alta Bates Summit and paid out of pocket. Mary, the scheduler, is also wonderful and reliable."

An Update on Audiologist Credentialling - Au.D.
Audiologists hold master's or doctoral degrees from accredited universities with special training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing and balance disorders. By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing and balance evaluations, refer patients for medical treatment and provide rehabilitative services in this area.

Recently, a new degree has been introduced to replace the Master's degree. The new degree is called AuD, Doctor of Audiology. Audiologists beginning their audiology education will earn university AuD degrees, whereas those who have been practicing audiology for some time are earning their AuD degree through accredited universities via the Internet and distance learning facilities. As of 2007, all undergraduate students wishing to pursue a career in audiology will need to earn the Au.D. degree. Master level audiology programs are being phased out and will no longer be offered by 2007. Both of our Alta Bates Summit audiologists have completed the AuD degree at the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). ASHS is a branch of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.

To give our patients the best possible care requires many years of study, research and experience. Even though we have extensive formal education, our learning never ends. We continue to take many hours of advanced professional courses each year, always looking for ways to improve our patients’ quality of life.