Atlantic Hearing in Port Orange grows, adds more audiology services

Atlantic Hearing, Balance and Tinnitus Center in Port Orange now offers about 12,500 square feet of audiology care. 

The full-service audiology practice recently moved to 1680 Dunlawton Ave., a larger space down the street from its original location. 

Stacy O'Brien, clinical audiologist and owner of the practice, said the practice has changed a lot since she acquired it four years ago. At the time, it was a part-time clinic, it then grew to a full-time practice servicing Flagler and Volusia counties and patients from as far The Villages and Orlando. 

The practice also grew to diagnose and treat different forms of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance issues. The recent growth also allowed the practice to add diagnosis, consultation and treatment rooms. They also expanded their vestibular unit and plan to add a pediatric care suite. 

Specialist work closely with patients to diagnose hearing loss and find the best solution. Every patient begins with a comprehensive hearing evaluation that determines a person's level of hearing loss and ability to understand speech. After the test, they meet with the patient and their family to find what works for them, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant. 

Other services include rehabilitation services for hearing loss, counseling for hearing loss and tinnitus, and balance assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. The center is the first in the nation to have the Orion Rotary Chair, which helps clinicians accurately assess the vestibular ocular reflex, said Taylor Unger, vestibular audiologist at the center. 

"This is the gold standard," he said. 

Patients — children, adults and geriatric — sit in their chair and wear a pair of goggles that track their eye movements in the chair, which rotates. Also known as the inner ear balance center, the vestibular organ is connected to the neck, spinal chord and eyes, and detects gravity and movement.

Because of this, a variety of disorders can affect the organ, each requiring different treatments. Unger said the chair makes it easy to differentiate between disorders affecting the organ and create a specialized treatment plan. 

O'Brien said is has been a blessing that the Port Orange community has welcomed them.

"Patients are a family, and what we're doing for them is life changing. 

Yonit Arthur, clinical audiologist and clinical director, said everyone at the practice is passionate about improving patients' quality of life, which is tied to being able to communicate.

"Hearing loss is associated with a host of problems from depression to cognitive decline, and we see people transformed everyday when they regain their ability to engage with their friends and family," she said. 

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