PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh Hearing and Audiology has opened full-time services in a familiar location in downtown Plattsburgh but is also offering hearing-loss services at its satellite office in Dannemora.

Jon Suarez, a New York State licensed professional audiologist, has been running his business at 25 Clinton Street, the same location in one of Plattsburgh's historic districts where a previous tenant also offered audiology services.

"We've been open the past two years but are finishing up on some renovations," said Business Manager Jeremy Ballard, noting that Suarez received grant money to renovate the facility while protecting the historical aspects of the building.

"We've been working closely with the architect who oversees the (restoration) project," Suarez said. "It's been a very interesting project."

With only some final touches on the renovations remaining, Suarez and his staff have leaped into a full slate of audiology services, including hearing evaluations, assisted hearing devices such as telephone amplifiers and personal FM systems, hearing aids and hearing-aid batteries.

"We provide complete hearing evaluations and diagnostic testing as well as thorough hearing-aid consultations," Suarez said. "Once we test you, we will use computers to fine tune your individual needs according to your hearing loss."

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the country. More than 9 million Americans over 65 have a hearing loss, and more than 10 million middle-aged Americans (between 45 and 64) have a hearing loss.

With significant increases in the volume and types of noise people face regularly, hearing loss has increased over the years as well. Over the final few decades of the 20th Century, the incidence of hearing loss among middle-aged Americans increased by 26 percent.

"Many people are unaware that they are experiencing hearing loss," Suarez said. "Often, it's pointed out by loved ones: the TV is always up too loud or they don't hear what is being said at church."

The typical hearing test takes only a few minutes to complete. Depending on the outcome, Suarez will contact the patient's physician with the results and will begin working on a hearing-loss plan with patients.

Plattsburgh Hearing and Audiology also offers a free trial program for patients to determine whether a specific hearing aid is right for them, a useful service considering that typical hearing aids can cost between $3,000 and $6,000.

They also provide free hearing-aid batteries, and not just for customers but for anyone with a hearing aid who needs a new battery.

The business has also opened an office underneath Maggy's Pharmacy in Dannemora where services are provided one day a week.

"As a licensed professional in New York state, we can offer the Empire (insurance) Plan," Suarez said, adding that Empire is the plan used by the state's corrections officers. "We feel this is a convenient location with the correctional facility across the street."

Not all insurances, including Medicare, accept the cost for hearing aids.

Suarez has been a hearing-aid dispenser since 1993 and earned his audiology license four years ago.

Ballard is also training to be a hearing-aid dispenser, and Gabriel Alexandrou is a part-time staff member as a graduate clinician.


E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com