Rena Jacobson, AuD, Director of The Hearing Center at Eye Health Vision Centers has successfully completed her final degree requirements to secure the designation of "Doctor of Audiology”. This was confirmed upon recent notification to her of the passing of her final examination, completing her distance-learning studies at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry's School of Audiology. 

Ms. Jacobson has directed all aspects of The Hearing Center’s activities since July of 2002. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Disorders and received her Masters Degree in Audiology from the University of Massachusetts in 1994. Prior to joining The Hearing Center, Rena directed Audiology services for a Fall River based ENT Specialist where she provided personalized hearing healthcare for hundreds of patients. 

Under Ms. Jacobson’s direction, The Hearing Center developed a unique, progressive and patient friendly array of products and services, making her practice decidedly unique in comparison to other Audiology practices. The 16 components of her program which set her practice off as being truly unique include:

1. The Hearing Center is a division of Eye Health Vision Centers, a practice that has served the community for over 30 years with offices in Dartmouth, Taunton, Fall River, Fairhaven and Middletown, RI.
2. With a focus on audiology and hearing health, The Hearing Center provides comprehensive services for both children and adults.
3. The Hearing Center offers 5-day-per-week walk-in service for hearing aids at its offices in Fall River, North Dartmouth, Taunton and Middletown, RI.
4. FREE hearing screenings are offered daily at its offices in Dartmouth, Taunton, and Middletown, RI and by appointment at its Fall River office. 
5. FREE video inspection of the ear is offered daily utilizing video-otoscopy.
6. FREE hearing aid checks and cleanings are provided.
7. FREE follow-up visits on all hearing aid sales are provided. Rena and her staff work with their patients until they get it right!
8. FREE lifetime supply of batteries with all digital instruments is provided.
9. The Hearing Center offers the absolute best hearing instruments on the market today – outstanding sound quality with unmatched whistle protection, including digital, programmable hearing aids that fit entirely inside the ear. 
10. The Hearing Center’s prices are surely reasonable and highly competitive with what you'll find at "storefront" hearing facilities. Most of the practice’s hearing instruments are currently being sold at 30% to 60% off manufacturer's suggested retail price. 
11. The practice repairs all brands of hearing aids.
12. Custom swim plugs and I-Pod plugs are available. 
13. Special phones and phone accessories for hearing impaired are available.
14. The practice accepts all major insurances, including Mass Health and Commonwealth Indemnity Plan.
15. Gift Certificates are available. 
16. Caring, qualified, professional and highly experienced staff are on hand daily.

The Hearing Center provides comprehensive audiometric testing and hearing aid fitting and dispensing. FREE Hearing Screenings are available daily to all patients, including:

• Case History -- Does the patient have any medical conditions that might be affecting hearing?
• Subjective Questionnaire -- How much of a problem is hearing loss for the patient, and is the patient ready to get help if needed?
• Video-otoscopy -- Examination of ear canals with a visual picture shown on a TV screen. Is there wax blockage or some other medically treatable condition that may be affecting hearing?
• Pure Tone Audiometric Screening -- General determination of degree of hearing loss as compared to normal hearing. The patient takes home a copy for personal records.
• Appropriate referrals for follow-up – Does the patient need to see a doctor? Does the patient need a complete audiological evaluation, with a possible recommendation for hearing aid use? Should the patient return for annual rechecks (hearing within normal or near-normal range)?

Dr. Jacobson is presently accepting appointments for patients by calling her offices at the following locations:

Dartmouth:  508-910-2221

Fall River:  508-673-2020

Taunton:  508-823-5536

Middletown, RI:  401-845-2020

"Rena’s designation as a Doctor of Audiology serves to heighten the quality of services she has been providing at our practice since July of 2002” said Stephen F. Sullivan, M.D. “We are pleased and proud to see Rena achieve this status and wish her continued success in her professional career here at The Hearing Center.”