Large, clunky, embarrassing and so expensive. This is how most people would describe a hearing aid, but that image is rapidly changing with the new digital technology that is now being incorporated into almost all electronics.

Hearing aids are virtually invisible, being both tiny and hidden well into the ear canal. And the price is going down thanks to the ability to program these computerized hearing aids, reducing the need for costly replacements.

One of the newest additions at the Fayette Community Hospital is The Hearing Health Care Center affiliated with Atlanta Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, where an audiologist specializes in hearing assessment and fitting hearing aids with this new technology.

Open almost six weeks, the Center takes direct referrals allowing patients the convenience of bypassing multiple doctor visits.

"I love my job," said Juandolyn Hurd, CCC-A, audiologist at the center. "Helping people to hear better is also helping their families. It's improving their quality of life."

Hurd's expertise is in areas of newborn and pediatric hearing assessment, which she received through her work with Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center; auditory electrophysiological testing, and state of the art digital hearing aid technology. She received an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia, a Master of Science degree in Audiology from the University of Southern Mississippi, and she completed her clinical fellowship at Speech and Hearing Center in Columbus, Ga.

An important aspect of her job, is to offer aural rehabilitation.

"The most tragic cases I've seen is cases of sudden onset hearing loss due, for example, to a car accident or pediatric cases," said Hurd. She encourages all her patients to bring in family members or close friends to discuss ways to better communicate with the one that is hearing impaired.

Children who must be fitted with a hearing aid are given a book to take to school that allows teachers to inform other students about hearing aid technology.

Over 24 million people suffer from some kind of hearing disorder and don't realize it. Hearing loss can be due to genetics, noise exposure, age, medicine and treatments. Often patients come in as a recommendation from a spouse.

"I've saved plenty of marriages," Hurd said, "by helping someone to hear." She said a television with the volume turned all the way up, is often the source of irritation that drives a spouse away.

Noise exposure is one of the leading causes of loss of hearing.

"Most people don't think of short term exposure as damaging," Hurd said. "You don't notice hearing loss for a while because it's so gradual. Little by little it's taken away and can't usually be regained."

Among the sources she listed are vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers and concerts.

The center performs various tests including hearing evaluations, vertigo studies, electrophysiological tests, auditory brain stem tests, tests for the integrity of the auditory nerve, and fits and dispenses digital hearing aids. "We always stand behind our products and there's a 30-day trial period with all the hearing aids," Hurd said.

Hurd also said a great advantage to being affiliated with Atlanta Ear, Nose & Throat Associates allows her to work as a team with Dr. Keith Kowal, ear, nose and throat specialist. Kowal specializes in nasal and endoscopic sinus surgery, adult and pediatric surgery, voice disorders, and head and neck surgery.

Hurd recommends annual hearing evaluations for all who have noted hearing loss. For more information, call 678-817-4390, Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The center and Atlanta Ear, Nose, & Throats Associates are members of the Chamber of Commerce and will celebrate an open house and ribbon cutting Jan. 14, 1999.

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