We also help protect the ear health of those who work and play in environments that damage hearing. Our staff understands the causes, challenges and frustrations of hearing loss. We are your best advocate for better hearing and function. We know the life-changing benefits that come with hearing evaluation and treatment.
Dr. Melissa Karp, a board-certified audiologist, provides comprehensive care since 1998. Her specialties include tinnitus treatment, auditory processing disorder evaluation, hearing aid fitting, and aural rehabilitation for hearing-impaired patients.
Ivy Saul, board-certified in NC and SC, incorporates patient lifestyle needs into hearing aid fittings, using evidence-based practices. She holds a Clinical Competence Certificate and is an Academy of Audiologists Fellow.
Dr. Katy Crisp, board-certified in NC and SC, excels in audiology, diagnostic testing, hearing aid technology, and tinnitus management. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with loved ones.
In contrast, hearing aid dealers or instrument specialists are retailers, licensed to test hearing for the only purpose of selling hearing aids. Without the necessary training or advanced diagnostic equipment to thoroughly assess hearing loss, their basic tests cannot accurately establish medical necessity or related systemic factors. If a hearing test is “free”, it is likely from a hearing aid dealer not properly authorized to provide diagnosis codes.
| Audiologists | Dispensers | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctorate | No degree required |
| Medical Provider | Yes | No - licensed as trade |
| Fits Hearing Aids | Yes | Yes |
| Trained in hearing science | Yes | Only as it pertains to dispensing hearing aids |
| Able to fit children and teens | Yes | Not recommended by the FDA |
| Able to diagnose hearing loss | Yes | No |
| Qualified to Assess Cochlear Implant Candidacy | Yes | No |
| Able to Evaluate and Treat Auditory Processing Disorders | Yes | No |
| Able to Evaluate and Treat Balance Disorders | Yes | No |
| Able to Conduct Clinical Research on Hearing Aids | Yes | No |
| Able to Interpret Interoperative Neurophysiologic Systems | Yes | No |
| Able to Serve as a Witness in Court | Yes | No |
| Trained to Evaluate Peer Reviewed Research | Yes | No |
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