To make an appointment, please call (239) 676-2990.

Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Doctors at this location: Dr. Viengsouk Phommachanh

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Otolaryngologist’s spectrum of care covers many diseases of the ear, nose and throat, some of which may not be identified here.

If you feel unsure of whether an Otolaryngologist is the correct care provider for you, contact your primary care physician first.

• Physician Services
• Audiology
• Allergy
• Diagnostic Imaging (CT)

Styles of Hearing Aids
There are many different styles or ways a hearing can look when being worn. Most modern hearing aids remain small in size even if they need to provide a lot of amplification for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.

• Completely in the Canal: the smallest type of hearing aid. Fits deeply in the ear and is virtually invisible unless looking directly into someone’s ear. This hearing has the most limitations as far as being able to fit all losses, however. Generally, it is only suitable for a mild to moderate hearing loss at all frequencies.

• Canal aid: Second smallest type of hearing aid. A little more visible than the CIC, but allows patients much more control over their hearing aid. It is only able to be appropriately fit to a mild or moderate hearing loss.

• Half Shell: The size of this hearing aid is roughly equivalent half the size of the concha bowl of the ear. The size allows for higher level noise reduction capabilities such as directional microphones. It is appropriate to fit moderately severe hearing loss.

• Full Shell: The largest of the in the ear hearing aids. The size of this aid fills the concha bowl fully, and creates a better acoustic seal allowing for a little more power. This hearing aid fits a larger type of battery which allows for larger battery life as well as all of the other benefits of the half shell.
• Micro-Behind the ear (open): A very small hearing aid specifically designed for a more natural sound and better comfort than the in the ear hearing aids. Able to fit hearing losses previously difficult to fit with in the ear hearing aids.

• Micro-Behind the ear (RIC): A receiver in canal (RIC) micro-BTE allows for comfort and clarity of the open fit hearing aid, but is more applicable to moderate and moderately severe hearing losses. When worn, the RIC looks virtually identical to the open BTE and has similar features.

Levels of Technology
Most hearing aid manufacturers have similar technologies, and arrange those technologies in a hierarchy based on the patient’s activity level.

• Entry Level: This level technology is based on the mild activity level. Patients, who do not go out often or are not in many different listening environments, do well with this level of technology. This level has very reduced noise reduction capabilities as well as fewer channels for fine adjustment than the other levels.

• Mid Level: This level of technology is appropriate for most people who are in several listening environments throughout the day. This level is comparable to the state of the art 2-3 years ago. It has an adequate number of channels and noise reduction capabilities, compared to what is available in the higher end instruments.

• Advanced Level: This level of technology is appropriate for people who are very active throughout the day. It is the state of the art as far as features and technologies are concerned. These aids offer the best hearing experience in a variety of environments.

All of the hearing aids come with a 30 day trial period and a manufacturer’s warranty ranging from 1-2 years. ENT Specialists of FL also offers financing plans through Care-Credit specifically for hearing aids, and will file the paperwork for insurance coverage for hearing aids.

Originally from Massachusetts, Dr. Whitelaw worked with a large Ear, Nose and Throat practice in Providence, Rhode Island before relocating to Florida in 2004.

Professional Affiliates:
She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and also served on the board of the Rhode Island Academy of Audiology.

Heather B. Whitelaw, AuD, CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of FL
8800 Bernwood Parkway, Suite 6
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 676-2990

Dr. Py received his Associate in Arts degree from the Ft. Myers, Florida campus of Edison College in 2000. By 2003 he had received his Bachelor in Science degree focusing on communication disorders from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. In 2007 he had achieved his Doctorate in Audiology from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. Dr. Py says about Audiology, “As soon as you have a grasp of how sound flows, and then how people hear it, hearing healthcare as a science also becomes art.” It is this creed with which Dr. Py approaches the discipline of Audiology.

In 2008 Dr. Py joined Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Florida working with all populations. Dr. Py considers himself not only a practitioner or a therapist but an artist. His expertise in the field of Audiology along with his love of music and technology brings exceptional care to his patients.

Dr. DeVore brings to the practice personal care, from diagnosing whether a child is experiencing a hearing loss, or interpreting hearing test results for adult patients and explaining the type of hearing loss the patient is experiencing. She counsels families and individuals about the issues of hearing loss, the impact it can have and the positive news about today’s solutions.

When it comes to finding the right hearing aid, Dr. DeVore bluntly says, “Size of the hearing aid is not the issue; it is the sophistication of the circuitry inside and the expertise of the audiologist that dispenses it.”
“It is hearing with a personal touch,” Dr. DeVore says. She will let patients choose what best fits their needs and what their budgets can tolerate.

Hobbies:
She and her Clydesdale “Eris” keep Lee County safe as part of the Sheriff’s office Mounted Patrol Unit.

Wanting to continue her pursuit of excellence in the field of audiology, she went on to receive her Master of Arts in Audiology and a Doctor of Audiology at the University of Pittsburgh.

It was at the University of Pittsburgh that she was offered the opportunity to teach medical students in Chengdu China about the use of hearing aids. This was an opportunity she simply could not pass up.

After her journey to China, she returned to Denver, Colorado to complete her residency at Denver Health Medical Center, ENT Division.

Dr. O’Neal has worked with all age groups, including implementing newborn hearing screenings. Her special interest is in evaluating and fitting all age groups of patients with hearing aids.

Dr. O’Neal is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and has been with ENT Specialists of Florida since early 2007.