Luanet White
Speech and Language
Audiology, Speech Therapy & Autism Management
General Enquiry
Audiology
Hearing Screening
A hearing screening is a simplified hearing test that tells the audiologist whether or not there is a hearing problem. It does not explain the cause or degree of the problem. Hearing Screenings are offered 24 hours after birth in hospital for Newborns and at School Screenings for Pre-primary and school going children.
Hearing Assessment
A formal hearing test that is done to determine whether there is a hearing loss.
This assessment will also determine the cause and the severity of the hearing loss and gives the audiologist guidelines for future hearing loss management. Tests are conducted on an appointment basis at the Practice, for the following:
- Babies
- Pre-Schoolers
- Scholars
- Adults
Hearing Management
Once the hearing loss and its cause has been identified and confirmed, the audiologist will make the necessary referrals (if needed). If no further medical treatment is needed, the audiologist will discuss hearing aid/hearing management options with the patient.
Hearing Management Options include:
- Conventional Hearing Aids
- Bone Anchored Hearing Systems
- Cochlear Implants
- FM Systems
- Aural Rehabilitation
Hearing Management Accessories
Patients may purchase the following hearing Management Accessories at the practice:
- Hearing Aid Batteries
- Hearing Aid molds
- Tubes & Domes
- Drying Kits
- Telephone & Television connection systems
- Ear plugs for swimming
Luanet White (nee Smit) is our Senior Audiologist and Practice owner and has been practicing in East London for the past 18 years. Her degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology was obtained in 2001 from the University of Stellenbosch.
Audiology
Hearing Screening
A hearing screening is a simplified hearing test that tells the audiologist whether or not there is a hearing problem. It does not explain the cause or degree of the problem. Hearing Screenings are offered 24 hours after birth in hospital for Newborns and at School Screenings for Pre-primary and school going children.
Hearing Assessment
A formal hearing test that is done to determine whether there is a hearing loss.
This assessment will also determine the cause and the severity of the hearing loss and gives the audiologist guidelines for future hearing loss management. Tests are conducted on an appointment basis at the Practice, for the babies, pre-schoolers, scholars and adults
Hearing Management
Once the hearing loss and its cause has been identified and confirmed, the audiologist will make the necessary referrals (if needed). If no further medical treatment is needed, the audiologist will discuss hearing aid/hearing management options with the patient.
Hearing Management Options include: Conventional Hearing Aids, Bone Anchored Hearing Systems, Cochlear Implants, FM Systems and Aural Rehabilitation.
Hearing Management Accessories
Patients may purchase the following hearing Management Accessories at the practice: Hearing Aid Batteries, Hearing Aid molds, Tubes & Domes, Drying Kits, Telephone & Television connection systems and Ear plugs for swimming.
Luanet White (nee Smit) is our Senior Audiologist and Practice owner and has been practicing in East London for the past 18 years. Her degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology was obtained in 2001 from the University of Stellenbosch.
Speech therapy
Communication Conditions Include:
- Pronunciation problems
- Stuttering
- Voice Problems
- Language delays and disorders
- Auditory Processing/Listening Problems
- Alternative Communication Systems
- Feeding Problems (newborns/toddlers/Adults
- Brain Injuries
- Stroke victims
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Motor-Neuron Disease
- Motor-vehicle accident victims
- Alzheimer’s Patients
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Autism
- Low Muscle tone
- Acquired or developmental Apraxia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Additional Services:
- School Screenings
- Language enrichment groups
The following services are offered in hospital, home visits and at the practice:
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Management
‘Speech and language therapy is concerned with the management of disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing in children and adults.’
autism management
Once your child has been diagnosed with autism, early intervention (autism management) is essential.
Autism is a diagnosis that affects the whole family. At our practice we offer parental support, guidance, councelling and referral to support groups relevant to the individual family.
‘Autism is a developmental disability that is present from early childhood. It is characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.’
Treatment options for autism is a combination of:
Speech language therapy
- Behaviour therapy
- Play skills training
- Social skills training
These are all offered dependent on the child’s functioning level.
FAQ's
What is the difference between an Audiologist and an ENT?
Audiologists specialize in detecting and managing hearing problems in people of all ages. This differs from an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist) in that the ENT specializes in the physical structure of the ear and related illnesses. If you or someone you know is battling to hear, this is treated by an Audiologist who, in the event of a structural problem with the ear, will refer the patient to an ENT.
How do you test a newborn's hearing if they cannot respond verbally?
Special equipment called an OAE is used when testing unreliable/young patients. A small probe is placed inside the ear and sound played through the probe. This sound generates movement in the hearing system and this movement is picked up through the probe. If there is no movement, a hearing loss is suspected. Further testing needs to be done.
How do I know that my child needs a hearing test?
Tell tale signs of hearing problems are:
- Needing repetitions of instructions
- Inconsistent responses when the child is not facing you
- Loud Speech
- Loud television sets
- Delayed speech & language milestones
How do I know that I (adult) need a hearing test?
- Constantly have to ask people to repeat themselves
- Hear people talking but cannot hear what they are saying
- Struggle to hear when not facing the speaker
- Cannot hear when there is background noise
- People mumble
- Can’t hear the fire crackling / leaves rustling in the tree
- Struggling to hear children’s voices
- TV Volume is too loud
- Difficult to follow the conversation when more than one person is talking
- Family members & friends complain that you ignore them
- Difficulty hearing certain sounds i.e. telephones
- Ringing sounds in your ears
How do I know that my child has missed a speech & language Milestone?
The following are broad guidelines of speech & language milestones that parents need to monitor:
- Babbling by the age of 6 months
- First words by 14 months
- Between 20 – 100 words by the age of 18 months
- 2-3 Word Sentences used consistently by 2.5 years
- A full conversation using full sentences by 3.5 years
Speech (pronunciation) is often unclear until the age of 3 years, but at this age a stranger should be able to understand what your child is saying.
What are the signs of autism?
- Delayed communication skills
- Do not point when they want something (an object)
- Inconsistent eye contact
- Do not respond to their name being called
- Often have repetitive behaviour’s (spinning / rocking / sounds etc)
- Obsessed with certain TV programs, adverts or objects
- Poor interaction skills – prefer to play on their own
Pricing
Medical Aid
Our Practice is contracted out of Medical Aid tariffs. We will claim directly from the patient’s medical aid, however a co-payment is applicable for the following services:
- Newborn Hearing Screenings
- Diagnostic Hearing Assessments (all age groups)
- Speech Therapy Assessments
- Speech Therapy Treatment
Cash/Account
Non-Medical Aid Patients
Patients who do not have medical aid or who have run out of medical aid funds need to either pay on the day or arrange a 30 day account with the practice.
School Screenings & Language Enrichment Program
These services are done with prior arrangement through the school and payment is upfront.
Medical Aid
The amount covered by your medical aid for hearing aids, is dependent on the medical scheme. We will claim directly from the medical aid if a benefit is available. Should there be a shortfall, payment arrangements can be made.
Luanet White (nee Smit)
B.Speech Therapy & Audiology
Zoleka Tom
Trained Newborn Hearing Screener
Penny Wilson
Speech-Language Therapist
Our Team
Tiani Johnson
Accounts/Medical Aid
Kristen Bunge
Speech-Language Therapist
New
Speech-Language Therapist
Thea von Wielligh
Accounts/Cash
Martinette Faure
Receptionist
Contact us
043 722 1028
luanet@luanetwhite.co.za
East London
15 Webb Street, Southernwood
Directions: - Take the Pearce Street offramp of the NE Expressway. - Continue past MediCross on the LHS. - Pearce Street becomes Lukin Road. - Turn Left into Gately Street. - Cross over 4 Roads. - Turn right into St Georges Road at the Southernwood Spar. - Continue down St Georges Road until you reach Webb Street on the LHS. - We are situated on the Cnr of St Georges Road & Webb Street with the entrance in St Georges Road.
Hearing is a gift!
