Audiology is the science of hearing, balance and related disorders. Audiologists are experts in the testing, diagnoses and management of disorders of the auditory and balance systems.
Audiology is the science of hearing, balance and related disorders. Audiologists are experts in the testing, diagnoses and management of disorders of the auditory and balance systems.
Audiologists specialize in:
- Identifying and assessing hearing and balance problems
- Rehabilitating patients with hearing and balance disorders
- Counselling on preventing hearing loss
Clinical audiologists work in a variety of settings and can specialize in the following areas of work;
Pediatrics, geriatrics, balance, cochlear implants, hearing aids, tinnitus management & rehabilitation and auditory processing disorders.
Audiologists provide a number of services including:
- Evaluating hearing
- Counseling patients and their families and caregivers
- Fitting hearing aids
- Evaluating and treating balance disorders
- Determining an individual’s need for assistive devices
- Teaching communication strategies to enhance listening
Testing Includes;
Pure tone audiometry - Hearing test that checks the thresholds of hearing at a range of frequencies (pitches).
Tympanometry – test to check the status of the ear-drum and middle ear
Acoustic Reflex – Hearing test to check the nerve signals to and from the brain
Oto – acoustic emissions – Hearing test that checks the outer hair cell function of the inner ear (cochlea)
Speech Audiometry – A variety of tests to check the ability to hear speech
Auditory Brainstem response – Hearing test to check the function of the hearing nerve
Balance testing – Tests to identify the cause of balance problems and if it is central or peripheral in nature
