Search Articles
Browse Categories
Meet Dr. Deborah Dempesy
By Dr. Deborah Dempesy
Dr. Deborah Dempesy purchased ALL EARS HEARING CENTER in November, 2008, when the previous owner retired. All Ears has been in business for 25 years in Plymouth, 13 years at its present location at 59 Industrial Park Rd. Dr. Dempesy has nearly 30 years clinical experience, including 14 years at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital as Director of Audiology, and eight years in private practice in Wilmington, MA.
What Drew You to Your Profession?
I graduated from college with a degree in Anthropology, but living with deaf friends, who primarily used American Sign Language, got me interested in hearing and hearing loss. I returned to school with the initial intention of being a teacher of the deaf, but when I took a class in Audiology I was fascinated. I learned all about the Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear and discovered a way of helping people with hearing loss through technology. I enrolled in a Master’s of Audiology Program at Northwestern University. Several years later I earned my doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in Pennsylvania.
You’ve been practicing for nearly 30 years. How has technology changed during this time?
When I first began, all hearing aids were analog. Adjustments were performed using small screwdrivers on relatively large hearing aids.
With the advent of computers in the 1980s, we began to have hearing aids that were “programmable,” but still analog in technology.
The first digital hearing aid, programmable by computer, was introduced in 1996. For the first time, audiologists could personally “program” hearing aids to the individual.
However, it wasn’t until computer circuits were super miniaturized in the 2000s that hearing aids became smaller and more cosmetically appealing.
What’s the difference between analog and digital technology?
Analog hearing aid technology essentially means that all sounds are amplified equally, whether background noise or speech. Because all sounds were equally increased in loudness, they sounded irritating and the hearing aids often “ended up in someone’s drawer”.
Digital hearing aids offer much more flexibility in the way sound is received, broken down into components and then selectively amplified to the ear in a more realistic manner.
What else has happened with technology?
In the past 2 years, digital hearing aids with “Bluetooth” technology in them make sound even more natural than before. In addition, Bluetooth technology allows hearing aids to be connected to the television, telephone and cell phones whereby these sounds are heard in both ears, programmed to the individuals’ specific hearing loss.
How is a doctor of audiology different from a hearing instrument specialist?
A Doctor of Audiology has an undergraduate degree in Audiology or communication sciences and a doctoral (AuD) degree in clinical audiology science. Thus, a doctor of audiology has 8 years of academic training and can diagnose hearing problems and prescribe hearing aids and Assistive Listening Devices with a great deal of knowledge and experience. Only after 9 months of completely supervised clinical practicum, can the AuD obtain a license to practice in the state.
A Hearing Instrument Specialist (H.I.S.) has a minimum of a high school diploma and a 3 months course in “hearing sciences,” passes a state exam, and obtains a license to sell hearing aids. Hearing Instrument Specialists cannot diagnose hearing losses or perform any diagnostic and aural rehabilitation procedures.
What do you like best about your career?
I love seeing patients! I love to analyze what type and degree of hearing loss they have and use modern technology to help people hear better, communicate with their loved ones, and perform in society with ease and joy.
Studies show that untreated hearing loss leads to social isolation, depression, withdrawal and further hearing loss. As we age, the ability to resolve and treat hearing loss that has been untreated, becomes very difficult for the patient.
What do you do in your free time?
I love to spend time with my immediate loved ones and family. My 24 year old daughter is a great joy to me. I also love to read, watch movies, and especially sea kayak – I surf and roll in my sea kayak with ease and love all types of weather and water.
Dr. Deborah Dempesy
Dr. Dempesy obtained her Masters in Audiology at Northwestern University in Evanston IL in 1982. She received her Doctorate in Audiology at the Salus University (previously known as The Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology) in Pennsylvania in 2007. Dr. Dempesy worked with developmentally delayed hearing-impaired children in the Chicago area for two years from 1980-1982, moved back to her home state of Massachusetts and was Clinical Director of Audiology at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital for 14 years. She consulted, performing research with manufacturers of hearing devices and volunteered on the Massachusetts Infant Hearing Screening Task Force until a law was passed that required all infants to have their hearing screened before discharge from the hospital or birthing clinic.
Dr. Dempesy has been a board member of the Massachusetts Academy of Audiology, volunteering her time to continue quality education of audiologists in the Massachusetts area.
Recently Dr. Dempesy worked for a major hearing device manufacturer, providing training and education on new technology to audiologists in the New England area. The combination of these experiences gives her an exceptionally well-rounded perspective that she passes on to her patients.
In addition, Dr. Dempesy is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Tinnitus Association, Educational Audiology Association and the Aural Rehabilitation Association. She is licensed to practice as an audiologist in the state of Massachusetts.
Personally, Dr. Dempesy’s immediate family consists of her partner and 23 year old daughter. In her free time, Dr. Dempesy loves to ocean kayak, run, rock climb, hike, read, watch movies and spend time with her sisters, brother and parents in western Massachusetts.
All Ears Hearing Center, Inc.
59 Industrial Park
Plymouth, MA 02360
www.allearshearing.net
(508) 747-4055 (800) 649-4054 (617) 510-5254
Unrated
Comments
- No Comments Found. Submit Comment
|
Article Options |
Share your Opinion and WIN!
Take our quick survey & enter to WIN a gift certificate.