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I highly recommend these doctors and facilities to anyone diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma.

My name is Gary Pickavet. My wife and I have used the services of House Clinic for hearing and allergy issues for many years.  So when I recently had a sudden onset of tinnitus and some hearing loss, I immediately made an appointment at the clinic to have it checked out. I was sent to get an MRI and I was shocked to find out I had a small acoustic neuroma. 

I was referred to Dr. William Slattery. When my wife and I met with him, my condition was thoroughly explained, our questions answered and my treatment options discussed in easy to understand terminology. It was explained to me that any hearing loss prior to surgery would not be restored after the tumor was removed. Because I had very little hearing loss, I chose to move forward with surgery to have my acoustic neuroma removed and prevent additional hearing loss that could not be reversed. Dr. Slattery explained that the middle fossa procedure I chose allowed for a 60% chance of preserving my hearing but that the primary goal was to preserve the facial nerve. I learned that the procedure would be performed as a team with Dr. Slattery as well as a neurosurgeon, Dr Lekovic.

Knowing the reputation and cutting edge procedures offered by House Clinic, I decided to have the procedure done there. In preparation for my surgery, I was seeing other doctors out of the area and closer to my home and I was told I had selected both excellent doctors and an excellent clinic for my procedure.  Now that I have been through the surgery of having the acoustic neuroma removed, I can say I strongly agree with those comments.

My journey from diagnosis to removal and recovery continued.  What I would call a care team was assembled. In addition to meeting with doctors Slattery and Lekovic to discuss what to expect during and after my surgery, St. Vincent  Medical Center (the hospital) had a representative present in my meetings with the doctors to answer all of my questions relative to my hospital stay. I felt the hospital representative was also an important part of my care team. She set up a date for us to tour the hospital floor devoted to House Clinic patients and also made herself available to contact with any questions or concerns before, during and after my stay. My wife and I were thrilled to find there was a reasonably priced housing area attached to the hospital where my wife could safely stay during my hospitalization. 

On the day prior to my March 19, 2019 surgery, my wife and I had appointments with my care team and the internal medicine doctor overseeing my hospital stay to discuss any questions or concerns we might have regarding the next day procedure.  They were all compassionate, caring and reassuring. 

My surgery was about 8 hours long and successful. My family were kept informed and updated while I was in surgery and recovery.  The tumor was removed, my facial nerve was undamaged and although I continue to have mild tinnitus, my hearing was preserved.  During my stay in the hospital, the entire team checked in on me and my progress and answered our questions. They informed us as to what to expect during the healing and recovery process when we arrived home. 

The tumor was removed, my facial nerve was undamaged and although I continue to have mild tinnitus, my hearing was preserved. 

We were extremely happy with our decision to select House Clinic, Dr Slattery, Dr Lekovic and St. Vincent Medical Center for the tumor removal procedure and hospital stay.  I am now 9 weeks post-surgery and have been able to return to the activities I enjoyed prior to my diagnosis. My primarily rehab therapy has been in the area of improving my balance and it continues to improve. I highly recommend these doctors and facilities to anyone diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma.