Audiology
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Audiology is the branch of science that studies the sense of hearing. Its practitioners, who study hearing and treat those with hearing losses, are audiologists. Employing various testing strategies (e.g. hearing tests, otoacoustic emission measurements, and electrophysiologic tests), audiology aims to determine whether someone can hear within the normal range, and if not, which portions of hearing (high, middle, or low frequencies) are affected. If a hearing loss is present, an audiologist attempts to uncover the cause of the problem (e.g. middle ear versus inner ear) and he or she proposes to the patient what options (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery) may help to restore function. Some audiologists dispense hearing aids. Audiologists are also involved in the prevention of hearing loss and other communication disorders. Hearing Conservation programs strive to prevent noise induced hearing loss through education and Audiologist intervention. Audiologists are often in charge of Newborn Hearing Screening programs designed to identify hearing loss within the first 3 months of life.
See also
External links
- SLP/AUD Open Website Directory Project (http://www.audwebsites.com)
- Canadian Academy of Audiology (http://www.canadianaudiology.ca)
- American Academy of Audiology (http://www.audiology.org)
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (http://www.asha.org)
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