|
Why should someone be evaluated by a Certified Audiologist? |
- A Certified Audiologist holds
a doctoral degree from an accredited university with special training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing disorders.
- A Certified Audiologist
is required to complete a full-time internship and pass a demanding national competency examination. By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, refer patients to medical treatment, and provide hearing rehabilitation services.
|
|
What do Audiologists do? |
- Hearing testing.
Audiologists use specialized equipment to obtain accurate results about hearing loss.
They also inspect the eardrum with an otoscope, perform ear wax removal, conduct diagnostic audiologic tests, and check for
medically related hearing problems. Hearing loss is caused by medical problems about 10% of the time. Audiologists are educated to recognize medical problems and refer patients to ear, nose and throat physicians
(otolaryngologists).
- Hearing aids and assistive listening devices.
Most persons with hearing impairment can benefit from the use
of hearing aids, and audiologists dispense the majority of hearing aids in the United
States. Follow-up care and hearing aid accessories are also provided.
Audiologists are also experts with assistive listening equipment and personal alerting devices.
- Education and
training. Audiologists provide education and training so that persons with hearing impairment can benefit from amplification and communication devices.
- Hearing services and counseling.
Audiologists are vitally concerned that every person, regardless of age, benefit from good hearing. Audiologists provide individual counseling to help those with hearing loss function more effectively in social, educational and occupational environments. It is a fact of life that we lose hearing acuity as we grow older, and hearing problems are commonly associated with the elderly. Audiologists are committed to helping
senior citizens hear better.
- Hearing conservation programs.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes permanent hearing loss. Because audiologists are concerned with the prevention of hearing loss, they hey are often involved in implementing programs to protect the hearing of individuals who are exposed to noisy industrial and recreational situations.
|
|
Hearing Aids
