Hearing & Speech Associates Inc Information

On July 5, 1983, HEARING & SPEECH ASSOCIATES, INC. was born! It was the realization of the dream of two young audiologists from Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center - Jan Miller and Bonnie Forman-Franco. Twenty-eight years later, our practice has evolved from a tiny number of patients to a major community practice. That first year, we could not afford clerical staff. We flipped a coin to determine who would be the Audiologist caring for the first patient and who would act as secretary! Now, we're proud to have 4 talented individuals on our staff. After working nearly 13 years each in a variety of departments at Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center Hearing & Speech Center; ENT Department; Neonatal Screening Program; Cleft Palate Team; Oncology; Jewish Institute of Geriatric Care; Community Health Program; Nassau County Early Intervention Diagnostic Program we received outstanding clinical training with a wide variety of patients and hearing problems. Each of us also worked previously at other Audiology facilities. Our dream was to perform clinical services in a private practice of our own. In the 1980s, that was a radical decision for any audiologists especially two women despite our education and training. But we were determined to create a full-service community hearing center with comprehensive diagnostics, counseling, rehabilitation, full hearing aid services, and assistive listening devices. While we have become known for our expertise in hearing aid prescription and counseling, we have always specialized in fine pediatric hearing evaluations and geriatric rehabilitative care. Initially, we provided audiological diagnostics for an ENT physician on the South Shore. By February 1984, we opened an independent office in Long Beach, which was relocated to Island Park in 2007. In July 1984, we opened a second office in Plainview. Over the years, as the practice grew, we moved each of our offices 3 times! Every aspect of our practice was planned with care. We have always used the most modern, technologically advanced audiological equipment, such as state-of-the-art computerized diagnostic audiometers and tympanometers; NoahLink Bluetooth and 2G wireless hearing aid programming equipment; Otoacoustic Emissions testing; Brainstem Evoked Response (ABR) equipment; Video Otoscopes; and a Real Ear computer hearing aid diagnostic system. In each office, we have an impressive display of assistive listening devices. As you know, both Dr. Forman-Franco and Dr. Miller are committed to keeping up with scientific advances in the field. Each earned the new Doctorate in Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) in 2003, as well as many Awards for Continuing Education (ACE). Both Directors have served as guest speakers at many community organizations, libraries, and SHHH (Self Help for the Hearing Handicapped). Both have also been awarded "Academic Scholar" Awards for extensive continuing education by the American Academy of Audiology. At HEARING & SPEECH ASSOCIATES, INC. and THE PLAINVIEW HEARING CENTER, we are very proud to be recognized for professional audiological treatment, outstanding individual and family counseling for hearing loss, and concerned, follow-up care.