Audiology

Overview of audiology as a medical field

Audiology

An audiologist performing an audiological exam

Audiology is the branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages.

History

The field of audiology began to develop during and after World War II as a result of the need to treat soldiers who suffered hearing damage due to the noise of warfare. The profession has since expanded to include a wide range of diagnostic and rehabilitative services.

Scope of Practice

Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat hearing or balance problems for individuals from birth through adulthood. They perform a variety of tests to determine the nature of an individual's hearing or balance problems and may prescribe and fit hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices.

Diagnostic Services

Audiologists conduct a range of tests to assess hearing and balance. These include:

• Pure-tone audiometry
• Speech audiometry
• Tympanometry
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR)

Rehabilitative Services

Rehabilitation services provided by audiologists include:

• Hearing aid fitting and management
• Cochlear implant mapping
• Auditory training
• Tinnitus management
• Vestibular rehabilitation

Education and Training

To become an audiologist, one must complete a doctoral degree in audiology (Au.D.), which typically requires four years of post-baccalaureate study. This includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and clinical practice, as well as supervised clinical experience.

Related Fields

Audiology is closely related to other fields such as otolaryngology, speech-language pathology, and neuroscience. Collaboration with these disciplines is common in the diagnosis and treatment of auditory and balance disorders.

Related Pages

• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Cochlear implant
• Hearing aid
• Balance disorder