[contentBlock]
Javascript must be enabled for this site to work properly.



  In The News
Archive Root   /archive/index.html
AHAC Introduces Sherry Miller   AHAC_Introduces_Sherry_Miller.html
AHAC Opens Thompson Peak Office   AHAC_Opens_Thompson_Peak_Office.html
Apple Sued Over iPod Related Hearing Loss   Apple_Sued_Over_iPod_Related_Hearing_Loss.html
Audiologists Hear Praises of New Device   Audiologists_Hear_Praises_of_New_Device.html
Can You Hear Me Now?   Can_You_Hear_Me_Now[QM].html
First Digital CIC Hearing Aid   First_Digital_CIC_Hearing_Aid.html
Health Care Entrepreneurs   Health_Care_Entrepreneurs.html
Hearing Aid Trends in 2007   Hearing_Aid_Trends_in_2007.html
Hearing aids are getting smarter!   Hearing_aids_are_getting_smarter[EXCL].html
Hearing aids go digital   Hearing_aids_go_digital.html
Hearing impaired welcome arrival of digital aid   Hearing_impaired_welcome_arrival_of_digital_aid.html
Local Audiologist Chosen   Local_Audiologist_Chosen.html
Local kids learn "All About Me"   Local_kids_learn_[DQ]All_About_Me[DQ].html
Q & A with Dr. Kurth   
Q & A with DR. Cathy Kurth

Each Wednesday, The Arizona Republic will profile a Valley or state resident who has contributed to the community.

Dr. Cathy Kurth has been an audiologist since 1975. Over the years, she has helped many of her patients hear better at her practice at the Audiology and Hearing Aid Center in Scottsdale.

But some people have hearing problems and lack the means to get the help they need. That is where the Community Hearing Aid Program gets involved.

The program was created when doctors and hearing aid manufacturers teamed up to make sure everybody who wants to hear can do so regardless of financial status.

When a hearing-impaired person is identified, he or she then goes to Kurth's office for a hearing test and to have a mold made of has or her ear. Within weeks, that person can be fitted with a new hearing aid.

1. How did you get involved in this?
An audiologist asked if I could help. Over the years, I have become a big believer in giving back. I was honored to help.

2. Why is it so important?
To me it is real rewarding, because when I could help somebody who would not be able to hear otherwise, it makes such a difference. It allows people to re-enter the world, so to speak. It is just a great feeling.

3. Tell me about a current patient?
I have an interesting one. A young gal, I met her just a few weeks ago. She is in her mid-40%u2019s and has never been able to hear before. Again, I am honored to help her. It will be a world of difference for her. To be able to put that hearing aid in a patients ear and see that big smile, it is so wonderful.

4. How does the program work?
Most of these hearing aids are donated. Patients donate their old hearing aids. We refurbish them. Manufacturers donate hearing aids when we ask them. Just about everything is donated. We all do our best to help at no cost.

5. How does it work?
We get names from all over %u2014 other doctors or our patients, sometimes different agencies. Many of our patients just donate their hearing aids when they are getting a new one. They are thrilled to be able to help.