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Excerpts
On July 2, 2010, Mr. Riddick underwent an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) consult with Dr. John Kalafsky, an otolaryngologist and an audiologic evaluation with Ms. Joan Wilson, MS, CCA. Dr. Kalafsky opined that the findings of the hearing evaluation appeared consistent with noise exposure and noise induced hearing loss which contributed to Mr. Riddick’s permanent hearing loss. As a result, Mr. Riddick was assigned a 16.6% binaural hearing loss. The Employer argues that Mr. Riddick has a 4.063% hearing loss as assigned by Mr. Chris Zambas, an audiologist who performed an Independent Medical Evaluation (“IME”) at the request of the Employer. Mr. Zambas opined that Mr. Riddick suffers from a noise induced hearing loss, but at a lower percentage than assigned by Dr. Kalafsky. Thus, the sole issue to be addressed is which opinion is entitled to greater weight in regards to the extent of Mr. Riddick’s hearing loss.
Conclusion
Mr. Riddick was seen today for a hearing aid evaluation. He had an ENT consult with Dr. Kalafsky and an audiologic evaluation with Joan Wilson, MS, CCCA on July 2, 2010 at this clinic. He presents with a history of occupational noise exposure, difficulty hearing, and tinnitus. The results of the audiologic evaluation showed a borderline normal - to- moderate bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss. [CX 1].
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