Audiology

What is audiology?

Audiology is a medical specialty. It focuses on hearing and balance problems. It also helps with fitting and using hearing aids and other hearing devices.

The health care provider who practices audiology is called an audiologist. This is a provider with formal training and certification in assessing and treating hearing, balance, and communication problems.

Signs that you may need a hearing assessment

• You find it hard to hear people on the phone.

• You have trouble following conversations when 2 or more people speak at once.

• You have trouble following conversations in a noisy background.

• You aren't sure where sounds are located.

• You ask people to repeat themselves.

• You have problems hearing or understanding when women or children speak.

• Most people seem to mumble or not speak clearly.

• You often misunderstand others and respond incorrectly.

• Others notice that the TV volume is high.

• You don't hear the phone or doorbell ring.

• You don't take part in activities because of trouble hearing and understanding speech.

• Friends or family members tell you that you are not hearing conversations or sounds.

What is an audiologist?

Clinical audiologists are health care providers who measure and assess how well a person can hear sounds. They focus on treating people with hearing disorders. They often give people advice on:

• How language is learned and spoken.

• The anatomy of the ear, brain, and nerves.

• Causes of hearing loss.

• Aural rehab. This includes ways for people with hearing issues to improve how they speak and communicate.

• Hearing aids.

• Lip reading and sign language.

Audiologists give hearing exams. They test for middle ear disease. They treat people with balance problems. And they fit hearing aids. They work in different settings. These include:

• Hospitals.

• Inpatient rehab centers.

• Long-term care facilities.

• Home health settings.

• Schools.

• Private practice.

• State and federal government agencies.

• Community clinics, such as community hearing and speech centers.

• Colleges and universities.

Many audiologists have a master's degree. Some have a clinical doctorate degree in audiology. They are certified nationally. This is done by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. This group gives a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). Or the American Board of Audiology (ABA) may give the certification.