Audiologists Fuse Healthcare and Technology to Provide Help

All medical professionals must keep up with advances in technology. Audiologists spend every day fusing healthcare with the latest technology to help people hear better and improve their quality of life. Not only must an audiologist be a skilled diagnostician, but they must have in-depth knowledge of the latest technology available to help people hear better, live with tinnitus or correct balance disorders.

Audiologists improve the hearing testing process

Audiologists are always working to improve the tests used to evaluate hearing and the function of the nerves that process audiological signals. The ability to test hearing function is so much more advanced than just pure tone audiometry thanks to the hard work of audiologists.

Improvements in testing auditory brainstem response mean that infants, young children and people with developmental disabilities can now be screened for hearing loss. Otoacoustic emissions testing is a way hearing can be tested in newborns. Audiologists can now screen and test people of all ages.

In addition, pure-tone audiometry has transitioned from a hardware-based to a software-based solution. Improved audiometry better imitates real life situations for the most accurate diagnosis and hearing aid fitting.

Audiologists help individuals around the globe

Audiologists were quick to see the possibilities of tele-medicine. As early as 2009, the American Academy of Audiology proved that diagnostic audiometry could be performed across time zones and across the globe. Not only does this advancement in tele-audiometry mean people in underserved countries now have access to audiologists; it means people living the rural parts of the US can receive high-quality audiological services without leaving their county. Audiologists use technology to diagnose patients without being in the same room or country.

Improved hearing aid technology

Audiologists not only have created advancements in the diagnosis of hearing loss; they’ve made amazing leaps in hearing aid technology.

Audiologists now have a vast array of hearing aid styles available to match the patient with the right technology. Behind the ear hearing aids are still popular, but even smaller receiver in the canal models reduce occlusion and feedback, two major complaints of behind the ear models.

Audiologists have developed completely in the canal models that can be worn around the clock. These tiny hearing aids are custom fitted and are housed completely in the canal and completely out of sight.

When you see your audiologist, you are seeing much more than a medical professional. You are seeing a technological expert as well. Think of your audiologist as your personal partner that fuses medical knowledge and technology to bring you the best hearing experience possible.