Audiology
Patient Care
| What is an audiologist? |
Clinical audiologists are academically trained, licensed and certified healthcare professionals who measure and evaluate a person's ability to hear, and specialize in the treatment of hearing disorders. They also measure vestibular function as it relates to balance and balance disorders.
Audiologists characterize the functional status of the auditory system and provide a variety of approaches to help counteract the effects of hearing losses including the provision of a wide variety of listening devices, including hearing aids. Audiologists also characterize the functional status of the vestibular system and provide a variety of approaches to help counteract the effects of vestibular disorders.
Audiologists provide these interventions only when an auditory disorder function is not able to be restored by surgical or medical means.In addition to diagnostic services and intervention based on the provision of hearing devices, audiologists provide guidance for patients and families on the following:
- how language is learned and spoken
- the anatomy of the human ear, brain, and nerves
- the causes of hearing loss
- aural rehabilitation - rehabilitation relating to the ear and hearing.
- the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices
- lip reading and sign language techniques
- hospitals
- inpatient rehabilitation centers
- long-term care facilities
- home health settings
- schools
- private practice
