Hear, O Indianapolis Seeing may be believing, but for Dr. Donna Segal, hearing is perceiving. Dr. Donna Segal, founder and developer of Perception Plus, Inc. has been practicing audiology for 22 years. She named her company Perception Plus, because she explains: “Perception affects every aspect of our experience. The “Plus” of Perception Plus had to do with an understanding that there is so much more that we don’t understand about how we navigate through the world, and how all of our senses interact to affect our experience. It’s based on our past conditioning, and often we don’t know why we see, feel or hear what we do.” The “Plus” also seems to allude to Dr. Segal’s strong intuition and the guidance she receives in working with patients, somehow knowing which methods will work best for each as she individualizes her treatment plans. Her interest in hearing issues arose from growing up with a grandfather with a severe hearing loss. This sensitized her to the importance of hearing and to the impact that hearing loss can have on peoples’ lives and on the lives of their loved ones. From her first course in speech and hearing as an undergraduate at Indiana University, she knew she had found her calling. Since beginning her doctorate, which she obtained at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona, Dr. Segal has developed an expertise in the areas of tinnitus and hyperacusis. When she first began to study the phenomenon of tinnitus, the phantom sounds that over 40-50 million Americans perceive when there is no apparent outside stimulus, Segal found that there was no agreed upon treatment available that significantly decreased the levels of tinnitus people perceived or their discomfort from it. As she developed the doctoral level course she teaches, she became frustrated at the lack of agreement within the medical community regarding effective treatment methods. Dr. Segal was sure there was a solution, a “missing link,” and has gone about searching and researching, putting together information and treatment methods to aid these patients, who are often given medication which just masks the symptoms or are told by physicians that there is nothing that can be done to help them and that they’ll just have to learn to live with it. “To understand what the tinnitus sufferer experiences, imagine what it would be like to hear the sound of metal spinning on a grinding wheel very loudly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no way to escape the sound. People can experience multiple sounds occurring over other sounds, all at the same time, and this can be debilitating beyond the understanding of most people who have never experienced it.” Seeking answers, she came upon a variety of people, books, websites and seminars that were outside the conventional medical realm. In a class on sound healing using tuning forks, she learned about the work of Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a French Ear Nose and Throat physician, which catapulted her quest. Dr. Tomatis was a pioneer in this field. He spent 50 years studying the impact of sound on health. His work emphasized the importance of the higher frequency component of sound for our well-being, and the effects of industrial and environmental noise. Her passion for her subject and for empowering her patients, helping them to find solutions and coping mechanisms that work for them is infectious. She has developed a unique approach integrating alternative, holistic modalities with scientific, conventional methods based on years of study and training in both spheres. She has stayed at the forefront of the latest technological advances in audiology and is up to date on the latest developments in the fields of nutrition and holistic healthcare. Dr. Segal is also well versed in the mind, body and spirit connection, having studied a variety of Eastern practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation, as well as the ancient therapeutic uses of sound for healing and maintaining optimal health. “My mission is to bridge the gap between conventional audiological thinking, with a more holistic, synergistic approach to hearing. Most people see or perceive tinnitus as a problem happening in the ear, while it is really something that’s happening in the brain. They don’t look beyond that to what kind of metabolic condition might be present.” Dr. Segal incorporates the use of essential oils, tuning forks, nutritional guidance, counseling and relaxation methods with her patients, and refers clients to experts in fields such as chiropractic, massage therapy, Chinese medicine, or yoga, who she believes will be able to help her patients. In order to find possible contributing factors, Dr. Segal does an in depth assessment to find the root cause of their tinnitus. “I ask a lot of questions. I’ll look at diet, nutrition, hydration, medications and possible toxins in the patient’s system that might be affecting them. In addition, I’ll talk with them about what’s going on in their lives. We’ll look at their stress levels, and finding ways to cope with each aspect that might be contributing to their tinnitus.” “The mission of Perception Plus is to not only assist in one’s hearing ability, but to work with the individual in helping to uncover the other contributing factors that may be blocking or preventing the body’s ability to utilize that sense to its fullest.” If hearing can be aided through medical intervention, then that route is pursued. Dr. Segal often recommends patients first check with an Ear Nose and Throat or Integrative physician in order to establish whether the hearing issues are due to an underlying medical problem or imbalance. In many cases, tinnitus has a sudden onset. Segal described patients distinctly remembering the moment their tinnitus began. Some say that their tinnitus began directly after an accident or injury. Many cases are not as clear cut as to the basis for the ringing sound. “Tinnitus is a symptom. It is not a disease. It can be a symptom of a variety of different ailments. There is not one common cause. For instance, pulsatile tinnitus can be a symptom of an arterial related blockage. It’s a red flag to heart and other health problems… The same tissue in the fetus from which the ear develops, is the tissue that forms the kidneys.” One patient came to her due to hearing loss as well as tinnitus following a kidney transplant. Tinnitus can also be caused by the use of certain medications or by thyroid dysfunction. Sound fascinates Dr. Segal, who has been studying and researching any and all forms of sound that can be used for healing. She recommends chanting, intoning sacred words or sounds in a variety of languages as a way of improving people’s health and restoring them to balance. She has started a monthly chanting group, together with Dr. Pat Sheehan of Body Spirit Studio, for people interested in joining together to use their voices for healing on all levels of mind, body and emotion and spirit. Another method utilized by Dr. Segal is Sound Therapy. Sound Therapy, is a unique listening system available to those experiencing tinnitus as well as a number of other difficulties. This therapy was developed by Patricia Joudry and her daughter Rafaele Joudry, based on Dr. Tomatis’ work. In addition to aiding those with tinnitus and hearing loss, Sound therapy has been reported to help those with stress, anxiety, sleep, fatigue, ADD/ADHD, tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, epilepsy, stuttering, dyslexia, Autism/Asperger’s, and Alzheimer’s Disease. It also has been found effective in treating difficulties in behavior, listening, concentration, and creative expression. “It’s a very self-guided program,” explained Dr. Segal. “One of the beauties of this system is that people keep track of their own progress through log sheets and do not need to work with a therapist. They can do it on their own while going about their daily activities.” Rafaele Jourdry, author of a number of books on Sound Therapy including Triumph Over Tinnitus, will be coming to Indianapolis in August and speaking at a number of venues including Health Synergies, Body Spirit Studio, Associated Healing Arts, and other venues. For a schedule of her appearances, contact Dr. Segal. A revolutionary new treatment now available is Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment. Neuromonics is a patented acoustic therapy, approved by the FDA, that has been shown in clinical trials completed over the last decade to bring relief to 90% of people tested. Improvements included relief from their tinnitus symptoms, an improved ability to fall asleep, a sense of control over their tinnitus, and reduced disturbance from their tinnitus. Dr. Segal is currently the only audiologist in Indianapolis who is trained and certified to offer this treatment. She works closely with each individual over the course of the six month long treatment, guiding and supporting them in their use of the devices, customized for each person's unique hearing and tinnitus profile. She runs a monthly tinnitus support group, approved by the American Tinnitus Association, in order to educate people and empower them through learning coping mechanisms and holistic approaches to treating their symptoms. Segal feels that the key lies in approaching the system as a whole, in looking at the synergistic effect of the body and its functions. She sees each individual as unique. “Every plan of treatment is tailored to assist the individual in the progression through whole body healing.” For more information or to set up an appointment, contact: Dr. Segal at 317-691-2369 or e-mail. Located in the Manan Hearing Center Office at 116th and Allisonville Road
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