Lippy Surgery Center
Our specialty specific center has the capability to perform all ear, nose and throat procedures. The anesthesiology department has a great deal of experience in pediatric and ENT anesthesia. Our operating and recovery room teams provide the highest quality care to our patients. The center opened in 2008 and has state of the art equipment. More info about the Lippy Surgery Center can be found here.
Administration
Our office manager and patient advocate has been with the practice for many years and uses her strong business background to supervise and coordinate all aspects of patient care.
Otology Division
Pediatric & Adult: We treat all medical and surgical problems in the pediatric and adult population. In chronic infection both medical and surgical treatments are offered depending upon the situation. All testing of the middle and inner ear is done on site in order to assist diagnosis. Surgery to correct eardrum perforations, repair middle ear bone deficits and treat cholesteatoma are performed. Implants are used to repair middle ear bones and may be used in some cases of nerve deafness.
Stapedectomy: Generally for otosclerosis but also performed if the stapes is diseased due to chronic infection. See physician’s video library and C.V. of Dr. Berenholz.
Tympanoplasty: Surgical procedure performed for perforated eardrum which may be due to infection or trauma. Done as an outpatient and may be done under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the size. Many times is done in conjunction with a middle ear bone reconstruction.
Ossiculoplasty: Surgical procedure to reconstruct the middle ear bones done under local anesthesia with sedation, occasionally under general anesthesia. May be combined with a tympanoplasty. Generally divided into two types: partial ossiculoplasty in which the incus bone is reconstructed and the stapes is normal and total ossiculoplasty in which all the middle ear bones are reconstructed.
Mastoidectomy: Surgical procedure to treat chronic infection and/or cholesteatoma in the mastoid. This is often combined with a tympanoplasty. This is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient.
BAHA: Implant performed for single sided deafness, atresia, inability to wear hearing aid and patients who are not candidates for tympanic membrane and/or ossicle reconstruction. Done as an outpatient under local anesthesia with sedation.
Meniere’s Disease: Conservative medical therapy consisting of low salt diet and water pill frequently prescribed. Steroid and Gentamycin injections performed for patients not relieved with conservative therapy. Some patients will require surgical intervention to stabilize symptoms, most often a conservative type of procedure. In the great majority of patients symptoms will be stabilized.
Cochlear Implant: Click here for more information.
Please refer to videos and publications of Drs. Lippy & Berenholz for more details.
Head and Neck Department
Dr. Farmer is the Director of the Head and Neck Division in the practice. Problems and diseases of the nose, throat and Head and Neck are comprehensively managed with both medical and surgical treatments. Nasal problems such as chronic sinusitis, allergy, and nasal obstruction from a deviated septum, polyps or turbinate disease are diagnosed and treated with the most up to date techniques. Balloon Sinuplasty, a cutting edge procedure, can be performed in the operating room or in the office under local anesthesia to treat sinus problems (when appropriate). Our in-office Allergy Clinic allows for both the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.
Chronic sore throats, recurring tonsil and adenoid infections, difficulty swallowing and reflux related throat symptoms are evaluated as well. Sleep apnea is accurately diagnosed and surgical alternatives are offered to those patients who are candidates. Nonsurgical patients are managed and followed on CPAP if needed. Endoscopic exam of the nose as well as evaluation of hoarseness/larynx by fiberoptic scopes are standard procedures in the office. Complete examination of the patient with a neck mass is performed. Surgical excision of neck masses, including benign and cancerous tumors are performed. Thyroid masses (both benign and cancer) are diagnosed and treated appropriately. Both adults and children are seen for all of the above ENT problems.
Audiology
The licensed professionals within the audiology department perform the hearing and diagnostic tests the physicians need to make a diagnosis and determine the proper medical care. They are qualified to work with children, adults, seniors, and individuals having special needs. The audiologists can also answer your questions about hearing, hearing aids, bone anchored hearing devices, assistive listening devices, and cochlear implants. John M. Burkey, M.A., author of The Hearing-Loss Guide, directs the audiology department.
Balance Disorder Clinic
A team approach is used to find the cause of the balance problem and to treat this problem completely. A patient who comes to the clinic usually spends several hours. A battery of tests is performed to determine the cause of the balance problem and a treatment plan is formulated. Follow-up visits are scheduled in accordance with each patient’s individual problem.
Business Office
The business office consists of a team of dedicated reimbursement/insurance specialists who administer and oversee all coding, billing, insurance, accounts receivable, and enrollment in insurance plans. The many functions performed by the business office staff include; pre certification for surgeries and in-office procedures, posting procedures and payment, collection follow-up, and insurance submissions. The business office provides financial assistance information and payment plans to enable all patients to be seen by our physicians.
The Lippy Group Hearing Aid Center helps people to compensate for hearing losses that cannot be improved through medication or surgery. The center is staffed by licensed audiologists who provide hearing rehabilitation. We understand and are sensitive to the physical, psychological, and emotional concerns associated with hearing problems. From children to senior citizens, our audiologists will evaluate your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan using the latest technology. The center is headed by Linda J. Burger, M.A. and has been recognized by the Tribune Chronicle as having the best hearing aid services.
Nursing
The nursing department helps us provide quality care to our patients. We have three excellent nurse practitioners on staff allowing us to see patients more quickly and offer a high quality level of care.
We also staff our allergy clinic with a highly trained R.N. to test, mix serums, give injections and oversee the allergy maintenance of our patients.
Patient Services
The patient services department helps us provide quality care to our patients by scheduling appointments, routing incoming calls, processing patients during appointments, and maintaining accurate records. Their efforts are essential to provide you a pleasant and efficient office experience.
Allergy Clinic
The Lippy Group Allergy Clinic is an integral part of the Lippy Group for Ear, Nose and Throat. The following allergy procedures are offered by our trained staff:
- Scientific assessment of allergic reactions
- Skin testing
- Blood testing
- Allergy desensitization