Audiology

1200 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
p: 515-241-8265
Get a coupon for hearing instruments.

Approximately 28.6 million Americans - or 10.3 percent of the population - report hearing difficulties.

Audiology & Hearing Aid Services

Hearing Loss on the Rise

It is estimated that 3 in 1,000 infants are born with a severe to profound nerve hearing loss. There are close to six million people in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 44 with hearing loss, and more than one million are school-aged children. 65 percent of people with hearing loss are younger than the age of 65. 29 percent of the population over the age of 65 have some degree of hearing loss. 

The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, or they can be significant and come on suddenly. The main causes of hearing loss are: aging; excessive noise exposure; sudden onset; infections; injury to head and/or ear; birth defects or genetics; ototoxic reaction to drugs or cancer treatment. 

Getting Tested

If you THINK you have a hearing loss, diagnostic testing is available. If you KNOW you have a hearing loss, rehabilitation is available. 

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is the only hospital-based audiology and hearing aid service provider in central Iowa. A full-range of comprehensive audiometric testing is available for patients of all ages utilizing state-of-the-art testing equipment. Hearing instruments and other assistive listening devices/equipment are available on a trial basis. Custom earmolds are also available for a variety of applications including hearing protection, water protection, musician's (filtered) earplugs, monitors and cellular telephones. Payment plans are available (interest- and finance-free).

Most health insurance plans DO NOT cover hearing instruments, although patients are encouraged to check with their provider concerning coverage. We are participating providers with Title XIX (Medicaid), the AUDIENT Program (an Alliance for Accessible Hearing Care thru the Northwest Lions' Foundation for Sight and Hearing) and the EPIC Hearing Service Plan.