What Services do Audiologists Provide?

An audiologist is a highly trained medical professional who specializes in all aspects of hearing health and hearing loss prevention. They are required to have an advanced degree in their field, several hours of clinical training and a license or professional credential in order to practice. Consequently, audiologists are qualified to provide a wide range of services centered around the prevention of hearing loss and the identification, diagnosis and treatment of auditory impairments.

Audiologists can work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and private practices. The services offered by individual audiologists may vary somewhat, depending on their particular area of expertise; let’s take a look at what their job typically entails and how that relates to your hearing health.

Identification and diagnosis

Audiologists can call upon a diverse range of testing methods to determine if hearing loss is present in an individual. Additionally, audiologists implement tests that are appropriate for persons of all ages and can be tailored to patients with medical or behavioral conditions that may prevent them from taking part in a standard pure-tone test. Your audiologist will be able to assess the precise level and balance of your hearing loss (which frequencies you can hear in each ear) and use a range of other examination tools to tell you what type of hearing loss you are experiencing and provide you with a diagnosis.

Hearing loss treatment

Your audiologist will be able to discuss appropriate treatment options with you, or refer you to another specialist should they suspect that your hearing loss is related to another condition. If you are considering purchasing hearing aids, they will be able recommend the best models to suit your specific level and type of hearing loss and handle all aspects of the fitting and adjustment procedures for you. This includes: providing advice on their proper use and maintenance, monitoring your progress, making any necessary adjustments and providing information on support and counseling to help you get the most out of your new device.

Hearing loss prevention

As hearing health industry experts, audiologists can provide their patients with advice and tips to help prevent further damage to their hearing. They will be able to identify any potentially hazardous listening environments in your day-to-day life and recommend the best protective methods to ensure that your remaining hearing ability is preserved for as long as possible.

If you think you may be suffering from hearing loss, it is extremely important that you discuss your concerns with a qualified professional as soon as possible. Hearing impairment often goes untreated for several years beyond the point that the individual notices a problem. This can have a detrimental impact on physical and social health, as well as emotional wellbeing, so don’t suffer in silence – book a consultation with an audiologist in your area today.