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"The hearing industry has become highly technical and we were not able to implement some of the new testing procedures (available to patients) at the old office. We are now able to offer these new capabilities," he said.
Advanced Hearing Care was the first to offer speech mapping in this area, and also has a total simulated surround town implemented within the new larger facility.
"We can simulate different hearing environments for patients right here in the office and make adjustments right here," Struckhoff said.
The on-site service helps reduce the number of follow-up visits among Struckhoff's patients.
"The patients are loving the new technology," he said.
The facility also provides products from Starkey's ListenHear line for hearing protection, enhancement and earmolds. Patients also can select from a variety of assistive listening devices, hearing aid accessories, such as cleaners and cases, and custom-fit specialty earmolds for phones, headsets and personal audio monitors.
Struckhoff has consulted with otolaryngologists and audiologists throughout the country. He has been hired out to help many of them either start up their audiology departments or help their current audiology department be more effective and efficient.
With the new space, he has designed his office to those he has done across the country, and has implemented what he has learned from some of the renowned ENT's, otologists and audiologists that he has worked with across the nation.
While Struckhoff said his practice had no room to grow at the old office, the new location has two testing and fitting rooms.
"With the additional space, we were able to add staff for the increased business we've had," he said.
Advanced Hearing Care has surrounded itself with some of the most professional people to serve their patients even better, Struckhoff said. His sister, Cara Achenbach, also a licensed hearing instrument specialist, joined him a few years ago.
In addition, Struckhoff is affiliated with Dr. James Benecke, St. Louis area otolaryngology, otology and neurotology, and welcomes Jackie Hartman, audiologist, to his staff.
The center truly is a family practice, Struckhoff said, noting his mother encouraged him to get into the hearing business after he struggled with his own hearing loss as a child.
"I want to help people who went through the same thing I had to go through, so I know not only what patients are experiencing professionally, but I know what they are going through personally and what realistic expectations to have from hearing devices," he said.
The staff's service sets Advanced Hearing Care apart from other centers, Struckhoff explained.
"I understand no one wants to wear a hearing aid, but for some, it's the only recourse, so I try to work with patients to get them used to the devices," he said. "We're very patient-oriented here. The patients trust us."
Since the move, Struckhoff has heard positive remarks about the new location from his patients, especially about parking.
"We deal with elderly patients a lot and the parking is more accessible for my patients and clientel," he said.
The hearing center also has plans to start focus groups, "where patients can learn more about the devices and their expectations about them," Struckhoff said.
While hearing devices cost from $500 up to $2,000 or more, Struckhoff said at Advanced Hearing Care, patients can get checkups, consultations, tests and have their hearing devices cleaned for free.
"In addition, we don't pressure our patients and we offer a 90-day trial period on all devices," he noted.
The company opened in Washington in 1996 and is the oldest hearing assistance center in the region.
For more information about Advanced Hearing Care, people may call 636-390-2007 and or visit the company's Web site, www.advancedhearingcareinc.com.
