The Audiologist: More than a Hearing Tester

Did you know an audiologist does so much more than test your hearing?

An audiologist is qualified to look after every aspect of your hearing health.  Audiologists study for at least eight years and must pass rigorous examinations in order to qualify for licensure and then practice in the field of hearing health.

Audiologists hold a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree or have completed post-graduate studies into the hearing disorders, and the assessment, treatment, and prevention of these disorders when they hold a Master’s degree.  This goes above and beyond running a machine for hearing testing and interpreting the results. An audiologist is able to assess and care for problems related to hearing, such as the debilitating condition tinnitus. An audiologist is also qualified to take part in procedures such as cochlear implants, and is expert in all aspect of hearing health.

Consulting a licensed audiologist means you can be confident they are capable of handling every aspect of your hearing health – from a routine screening hearing test to problems with your balance, or even teaching you skills to screen out background noise. 

An audiologist is able to treat all ages from the smallest newborn baby, through children, teens and adults, to seniors. They have learned skills and techniques that span all ages, and they are used to communicating with individuals of all hearing backgrounds.

This ability to assess levels of hearing, hearing health, and also balance issues means that audiologists form a vital part of the any team, whether that be in private practice, hospitals, universities, and even the armed services.

An audiologist’s ability to help with hearing problems extends beyond the practical aspects of performing an audiogram, counseling, and fitting the best hearing device for you. They are also skilled at hearing rehabilitation.

Hearing rehabilitation, or aural rehab, is the techniques used to help the brain improve your ability to listen. There are three main areas: auditory training, speech reading, and listening skills improvement. These can be invaluable techniques for the new hearing aid user, who suddenly starts to hear a range of sounds again after years of absence. This may make it difficult in the beginning to focus on the speaker, but learning a listening technique can counteract the distraction of these new sounds.

Auditory training teaches those who have difficulty understanding what they are hearing, such as children with attention deficit disorder or Asperger’s syndrome, which may be super sensitive to sound.

Speech reading is the grandfather of lip-reading, and includes additional cues such as reading facial expressions and gestures. Learning listening skills means learning to focus your hearing and mentally filter out noise to concentrate on a speaker in front of you.

All of these skills mean an audiologist is eminently suited to assessing your hearing needs in a global manner. From fitting a hearing aid to teaching you skills and techniques to filter out distracting background noise, your audiologist is an invaluable asset in your quest to have the best hearing possible.