What is Audiology?
Audiology is a branch of science that is focused on the study of hearing, balance, and associated disorders as well as the non-medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders.
Who are Audiologists?
Audiologists are licensed health care professionals who are qualified to identify, assess, and provide solutions for hearing and balance disorders. They earn a doctorate or a master’s degree in Audiology from an accredited university and stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field by enrolling in continuing education credits to fulfill their licensing requirements.
What do Audiologists do?
Audiologists are trained to:
- Help patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with hearing and balance problems
- Select, dispense, and fit hearing aids or other listening devices
- Prevent hearing loss by providing education or protective hearing devices
- Help in research related to hearing and balanced-related problems
- Work with multi-disciplinary teams to provide personalized solutions to patients
Audiology Diagnostic Tests
The various diagnostic tests that may be employed by audiologists include:
- Standard Audiometry: This test measures hearing capacity across a range of test tones.
- Word Recognition: This test determines the ability to identify the difference in sounds of various words.
- Bone Conduction: This test involves the use of a special headset called a bone vibrator to determine the type of hearing loss.
- Otoacoustic Emissions: This test assesses the function of the cochlea in the inner ear.
- Acoustic Immittance Measures: This test measures the movement of the eardrum.
- Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response Testing: This test determines if the neural pathways in the brain are transmitting sounds properly.
- Visual reinforcement and play audiometry for children
Audiology Treatment Options
The treatment provided will depend on the results of the diagnostic tests and may include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
- Active listening strategies
- Hearing enhancement devices
- Communication skills counseling