Audiology is a branch of healthcare that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists are trained professionals who specialize in evaluating and treating hearing and balance problems.
Audiology services typically include:
- Hearing evaluations: These tests are used to determine the degree and type of hearing loss a patient may have.
- Hearing aid services: Audiologists can recommend, fit, and adjust hearing aids to improve a patient’s hearing.
- Balance testing: Audiologists can evaluate the cause of balance problems and recommend appropriate treatment.
- Tinnitus management: Audiologists can help manage tinnitus (ringing in the ears) by identifying the underlying cause and providing treatment options.
- Cochlear implant services: Audiologists can provide evaluation, programming, and rehabilitation services for cochlear implant patients.
- Auditory processing disorder evaluations: Audiologists can evaluate and treat auditory processing disorders, which can affect a person’s ability to understand speech.
- Hearing conservation: Audiologists can provide hearing protection and education for individuals who are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
If you are experiencing hearing or balance problems, you may want to consider seeking audiology services. Your primary care physician can refer you to an audiologist in your area, or you can search for a licensed audiologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website
