Karen McQuaide-Bell, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA is the Director of Audiology and Balance Diagnostics for Advantage Therapy. She has more than twenty years experience in pediatric, adult, and senior audiologic diagnostics, rehabilitation, and research. Specializations have included hearing aids, cochlear implants, intraoperative monitoring, and advanced diagnostic testing.
Dr. McQuaide-Bell earned her Doctor of Audiology degree at University of Florida and her Master’s degree at Northwestern University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
Approximately 36 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Most people have not been tested or treated and do not know where to begin to get help. Begin at Advantage Therapy and Diagnostic Center with a licensed Doctor of Audiology.
Dr. Karen McQuaide-Bell joins Advantage Therapy and Diagnostic Center with 20 years of experience in assessing hearing loss and fitting of customized digital hearing aids. Her expertise is in helping people improve their quality of life by providing better hearing through the most appropriate hearing aids for each patient. Dr. McQuaide-Bell will provide a comprehensive audiologic exam as well as custom-fit digital hearing aids to an individual’s needs and lifestyle. With all of the hearing aid centers opening in the area, it can be very confusing, but nothing can take the place of an assessment performed by a licensed Audiologist.
Since hearing loss can progress very gradually, many hearing-impaired people have only the complaints of family, friends, and co-workers as confirmation that they are not hearing as well as they previously did.
A recent patient described his experiences both before and after his hearing aid fitting: “I am retired but very active in community volunteerism. I could not understand at the meetings I attend. I was having so much trouble understanding my wife when she talks. Dr. McQuaide-Bell fit me with a pair of hearing aids and an FM system to pick up just about every word at the meetings. It’s amazing. I can even hear everyone in the car because of the FM system. I just clip the mic on the visor and I know what people are saying. I also hear better in background noise. I don’t have to work so hard to hear anymore.”
The hearing care program at Advantage Therapy and Diagnostic Center is an addition to the Balance Center. Patients who have dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, and balance problems can be assessed and helped here. Balance testing including ENG (electronystagmography) as well as balance and vestibular therapy are offered at Advantage. Fall prevention through reducing/eliminating balance problems is critical. Together a balance and hearing evaluation, performed by a licensed Audiologist, is the most comprehensive approach to your hearing and balance concerns. Call us for all of your hearing and balance needs.