What did you say?
Excellence in Audiology endorsement
- Dr Keith Darrow, PhD Neuroscientist
Going the extra mile
- Friday, March 15, 2024
I would like to share with you that I have received exceptional service from this company for over a year now.
I can highly recommend them!
I recently had a problem with my hearing aid. Sarah kept in touch with me and did two house calls, which is unheard of!! She was incredibly patient and kind and really "went the extra mile" for me to resolve the problem.
Every staff member I have had the pleasure of dealing with at Thompson & Hoffman have been highly professional and pleasant!!
Thank you all, and well-done on your awesome work ethic!
Warm regards
- Valerie Mardon
My 8 years in the good care of Thompson & Hoffman Audiologists
- Tuesday, March 18, 2023
It is a pleasure to write a few lines about my experience with Dr. Kara Hoffman during those years, having first been introduced to the Audiologists early in 2015 after suffering a sudden deep hearing loss in December 2014. It was Mrs Thompson who first saw me and did all the necessary tests until it was realised that the only way to regain some hearing was to consider the cochlear implant option. I was then explained that Dr Hoffman was already in the cochlear team and would look after me from then on. I received many tips and good advices from her during those months.
I was given all the necessary tests over some time, and then slowly I started to think of a possible implant. It took me quite a while as I had never even heard of cochlear before. Dr Hoffman was truly dedicated to explain with great patience and clarity all that was involved in, after all, an important decision. No pressure was ever put on me and eventually, I took the decision to have the operation. Then later in 2015, I had to be away and the proposed date was postponed. It was Dr K. Schlemmer who was to do the implant at the Hillcrest Hospital.
The date for the implant was the 29th February 2016. Everything went well thanks to the team and to Dr Schlemmer. If I remember well, I spent only one night in the hospital. Then, the audiologist set a date for the switching-on of the processor.... Dr Hoffman was careful to warn me that the event was, can be, somewhat of an anti-climax for a completely deaf person about to hear again.... Right she was, and as Dr Hoffman manipulated the keyboard of her computer, I started to hear sounds, faintly, then somewhat louder, then I realised that someone was speaking to me.... until I realised that it was her speaking but I could not recognise the voice. So that was it, the end of an important chapter, but another one was opening! For me, it was an unforgettable day: the day I started to hear after 15 months of being stone deaf. THANK YOU to the Audiologists and to Dr Schlemmer: I am eternally grateful. May you carry on helping patients the way you did for me.
- Paul Raymond Margeot
Paediatrics and bone anchored devices
- Thursday, November 17, 2022
Thompson and Hoffman Audiologists have been an absolute Godsend. My three year old autistic son, Ronan, was born with Pierre Robin sequence and has faced many challenges since birth. A few months ago we suspected that he had hearing loss on top of everything else. Dr Kara performed an ABR test confirming that he has hearing loss in both ears and that he needed a bone anchored device for each ear. Our medical aid refused to cover the R80,000 cost even though Dr Kara took the time to send them a motivational letter and tried to explain the requirement as well as the fact that an autistic child already has issues speaking, let alone one who now cannot hear either. As a single mother who is a permanent caregiver, I could not phantom as to how I would be able to raise such an insurmountable amount. We started a fundraiser on a crowdfunding platform and soon realised how tough a task it is to raise money, since everyone is suffering with their own problems.
Dr Kara, in the meantime, went through so much effort to help us. She reached out to many hearing aid companies, seeking possible donations and second-hand devices. Through her perseverance she managed to get BOTH devices donated, one from Southern ENT and one from MedEl. The cost to refurbish was A LOT less than new devices and was something I could manage. We are forever grateful for these generous donations from these two companies and to Dr Kara for her determination to help us.
She and her team have been absolutely incredible from day one. I was so nervous before Ronan got his devices fitted but Dr Kara and Lauren were absolutely the friendliest and helpful pros we could have hoped for. They were reassuring, made us feel comfortable and handled a special needs child with surprising ease. They handled a jittery mother expertly as well as they simplified and explained everything to me with patience. The most amazing moment to me was seeing Ronan, who had been playing with a puzzle for a long time, suddenly react to the noise it made! I am so happy that Ronan has been given the ability to hear normally all due to this amazing Audiologist team. Thank you so much.
- Rochelle
His world went dead quiet…
- Monday, April 11, 2022
It is with great enthusiasm that I strongly recommend the services of Thompson and Hoffman Audiology Inc.
My son did a cochlea implant after completely losing his sense of hearing. He was then robbed and mugged of his external sound processor, his world went dead quiet, he was very frustrated and became suicidal.
Thompson and Hoffman Audiologists reconditioned a used sound processor in record time at a very reasonable price.
We appreciate doing business with them.
- Gerald Sikhosiphi Mngadi
Karlie’s progress after the Rondo and mapping
- March 22, 2022
We are so excited with Karlie’s progress, that I thought I must share with you.
Since receiving her new Rondo and after her Mapping session with you, the change in Karlie has been phenomenal. She has picked up new words and is definitely hearing sounds more clearly. She babbles non-stop! She has also stopped swopping sounds like “TH” and “K”.
Speech therapy sessions have been fantastic, with Karlie repeating all sounds and words. Karlie is in a much happier space and I can definitely see she is calmer.
Thank you
- Michelle Lourens
Hearing impaired KZN pupil excels in matric exams
- January 24, 2022
I want to say a very big, "thank you" to the both of you for being a huge part of Shreya's difficult childhood.
I hope that the both of you continue this journey with us and know that we are truly grateful and blessed to have you both in our corner.
Shreya obtained 2As, 3Bs and 2Cs and the highest in her school for EGD, Engineering Graphics and Design... So for us, she has obtained all As especially with Afrikaans (B) 😂.... We are super excited and proud of her and we wanted to share that with the both of you. Her awards ceremony is on Friday the 28th of January...
- Sashi Moodley
Life-changing Hearing Aids
- Wednesday, May 26, 2021
I would like to thank you for the very good service and caring that you gave me to receive these OTICON HEARING AIDS. It has absolutely changed my life as I have battled to hear on the phone in the past. I would not go anywhere where there were more than two people as I was embarrassed as I could not hear them. Just had a month away in Cape Town and my friends remarked that I could hear so well. In fact some of them spoke loudly and I was able to make my hearing either SOFTER or LOUDER.
It has made a wonderful difference to me as age 86 I enjoy others company and don’t like to be left out of anything . Whereby in the past when I was invited I always declined the invitation.
- Mrs Colleen Wingate-Pearse
Thompson & Hoffman are part of my family
- Monday, November 8, 2020
Kara and Julie have been treating my severe hearing loss for nearly thirty years. During that time, I have been impressed with their professionalism and their client-centered treatment.
They have always been willing to address any of the problems, technical or emotional, that I have encountered in coping with my hearing loss. They listen, are precise and accurate in their testing techniques and make practical suggestions concerning obstacles I have experienced with hearing loss.
I've been impressed with their patience in addressing the same problems again and again due to the complexity of my condition, with diligence and optimism. The staff at Thompson and Hoffman, who I consider as part of my family, genuinely care about individuals with hearing impairments and use their professional skills to provide the means for their clients to have better hearing and better lives.
Their goal has always been to make sure I have a good experience with their hearing care providers, and that I get the results that I really need. Whether it’s something as simple as a hearing consultation or as impactful as a full hearing aid fitting and cochlear programming, the service is of the same standard and calibre.
-Terrence Govender
Not only our audiologist but our family
- 2020
“We have, both, been clients of Thompson and Hoffmann Audiology since its inception 2011. Although we are primary clients of Lauren Thompson we have also seen Kara. Both ladies are extremely passionate about making a difference in their clients lives by giving them the gift of hearing. Their professionalism and client interaction is of a very high standard. The Office Manager, Fadila, has supported them from the beginning. We have referred a number of people to them. Thompson and Hoffmann Audiology are not only our audiologist but our family! Thank you Lauren for all that you do for us!”
— Marion and Jean Webber
Gratitude and Appreciation
- Saturday, June 1, 2019
“I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude and appreciation as well as offer my congratulations on the success of a very well presented seminar. It was really inspirational to me personally as well as an eye opener.... Made me even ask my son if he'd consider the procedure in future. Thanks once again for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of it. I look forward to future opportunities.”
— Mala Perumal
Kara’s Worth is Immeasurable and Unforgettable
- Monday, June 3, 2019
“I am Sashnee Moodley, the mother of Shreya Moodley. Shreya has been a patient since she was six weeks old. She has been seeing Kara since May this year. Shreya had a Cochlear Implant in January this year and Kara has been helping Shreya with her assessments and with her hearing aid in her left ear. Kara has been working intensively with Shreya with her speech and hearing impairment.
Shreya has benefited greatly from Kara as she has helped her obtain maximum hearing in her left ear by prescribing a new and improved hearing Aid. Kara’s soft and warm personality has helped boost my little girl’s confidence. She no longer is shy and withdrawn; Kara has given Shreya the confidence to give a speech in front of 30 to 40 guests. I used to be Shreya’s role model; Kara has now filled that position.
I am glad that my little girl has found someone that she can trust and idolise. Shreya now wants to be a doctor just like Kara, help to make all the little children hear all the songs and to dance to the music. Only a parent who has experienced the pain of watching their child not be able to say what they want to eat or drink will know what it feels like to have a Kara in their world. So to all the Kara’s of the world a very big ‘Thank You’. Kara’s worth is immeasurable and unforgettable.”
— Sashnee Moodley
MANY Surprises with Kara’s Assistance
- Tuesday, June 4, 2019
“My husband and I adopted Micah Zoe in June 2007. Micah was born deaf and had, at the age of 2 years 6 months, not received any treatment for her condition. We decided that we would do everything it took to give her a normal life. After a visit to the ENT specialist it was confirmed that her hearing loss was due to an underlying deformity of her ears. It was at this point that our journey to communication with Micah began. We were referred to Kara to establish a sign language vocabulary with Micah. Our first visit to Kara was confusing and frightening, I did not think that I would remember any of the signs taught to us that day let alone get Micah to understand and learn them. During the week before our next appointment with Kara we practised the signs hoping for a breakthrough. On the fifth day after our first lesson Micah surprised me by using the sign for the colour red when asked to choose a pencil. Red is still her favourite colour.
It was the beginning of many surprises and with Kara’s assistance, patience and kindness our progression to communicate with Micah was astounding.
After extensive therapy which included the use of hearing aids the decision was made that a Cochlear implant was the only solution to Micah’s problem.
After the initial mapping sessions, we were referred to a therapist living in Empangeni, it made sense to cut out the long journey to Durban every week.
It was probably the worst decision - as after six months we had not progressed at all. My husband and I discussed this with the therapist attending to Micah’s cochlear device, and the decision was made to immediately start Micah’s speech therapy with Kara.
Kara is absolutely brilliant. Her patience and knowledge astounds me. I started feeling hopeful again and with her understanding manner she guided us to a place I thought we would never reach. Micah understands everything I say to her and although she is still learning to speak, she already says a few words and is happy to learn to say new words all the time.
There is no doubt that without Kara, this would never have been possible, and I would never have thought it possible.
Kara is our heroine; she has made our lives a lot easier. Without her guidance I would have been lost. I thank the Lord every day for people like Kara and for everything she has taught Micah and I.”
— Wendy Handford