Leading NJ Audiologist Marks 30th Anniversary, Expands Staff

HIGHLAND PARK – Innovation and improvement are the name of the game for Dr. Eric Sandler of The Hearing Center, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the addition of a fifth audiologist, Dr. Sarah Azer Elias, to its staff.

“Throughout the 30-year existence of The Hearing Center, we have learned to adapt to a changing healthcare landscape,” Sandler said in an interview. “We have a full understanding of what is necessary to provide patients with the care and service they need to maximize their outcome potential.”

A full-service hearing healthcare practice, The Hearing Center was founded by Dr. Judith Sandler and Dr. Meredith Rothenberg and has grown to three offices in three counties: Highland Park, Middlesex County; Manalapan, Monmouth County; and Clark, Union County. The practice offers hearing aid fittings and verification; tinnitus evaluations; hearing checkups; noise protection devices; and specialized earplugs for musicians.

“We have seen fads and trends in hearing healthcare come and go -- we understand best practices to diagnose and treat hearing loss and to fit hearing aids,” Sandler said. “In recent years, we have placed significant investments into growing the practice. We expanded and updated our offices, both aesthetically and to computer based diagnostics; we have added additional audiological services; and we’ve grown our provider and support staff.”

In an action he called “another step in The Hearing Center’s process of growth,” Sandler hired Elias as the practice’s fifth audiologist. Elias began seeing patients on June 13 at the practice’s Highland Park and Manalapan locations.

“She brings a fresh perspective to a practice that is always looking to improve its offerings based on current technological and diagnostic advancements,” Sandler said.

Elias received her doctorate of audiology from the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium program in May 2016. She recently completed her fourth-year residency at Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, where she worked extensively with pediatrics in order to “gain as much experience as possible” treating children and sharing results with their parents or guardians.

“Working at Hackensack University Medical Center gave me a very well-rounded experience in treating children,” Elias said, reflecting on her experience growing up in a large family with many kids. “I love that you need to be creative when working with children. I like that I have to think out of the box to get reliable responses. Kids are little balls of energy and I thrive while working with that energy.”

Elias said that she is looking forward to joining a “diverse practice that’s always looking to grow” which also serves “multiple populations, from kids to adults.”

“Dr. Sandler is in the know and is constantly trying to enhance and offer more at The Hearing Center, and I am very excited to work in that environment,” Elias said. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the practice, including Dr. Anne Michele Puglisi -- her aural rehabilitation class is fascinating and I’m looking forward to helping patients in that way.”

Sandler said that Elias’s addition to the practice brings another staff member into the fold who can address the sensitivities that come with treating children with hearing issues. With Elias, The Hearing Center now has five audiologists on staff.

“She understands the degree of care and service that is required in a private practice setting,” Sandler said. “She knows how to convey results, how to make patients aware of treatments and what is best for them, what all their care options are, and how they go about receiving that care. Especially with pediatrics, you need to be able to communicate effectively to parents what their children will need.”

The Hearing Center currently serves the needs of pediatric patients and their families, but Sandler said Elias’s arrival will add another dimension of compassionate, child-oriented care to the practice.

“We’ve always worked with pediatrics, and Dr. Elias will allow us to expand our pediatric practice at The Hearing Center,” Sandler said. “As a professional who works with children and their parents, I know Dr. Elias has the ability to connect with them and can make them feel comfortable in a situation where they might be overwhelmed or intimidated.”

For more information about The Hearing Center, visit www.thcaudiology.com.

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ABOUT THE HEARING CENTER

The Hearing Center is an advanced audiology practice with offices in three New Jersey counties. The state-of-the-art facilities offer hearing aid fittings and verification; tinnitus evaluations; hearing checkups; noise protection devices; and specialized earplugs for musicians. The practice marks its 30th anniversary this year. Visit their website at www.thcaudiology.com for more information.