What is an Audiologist?

SoundLife Basics: What is an Audiologist?

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SoundLife Hearing Technologies is dedicated to providing the best service and technology when it comes to helping people with their hearing impairments. We also like to help out with information, to make it easier for you to make the right decision with your audiologist.

Sometimes, it’s easy for the experts to take for granted just how intimidating it can be to seek treatment for hearing issues, and how overwhelming all the technical information can be.

To help make things easier, we’re going to use our blog to look at some of the common terms related to hearing aids and issues, and offer some explanations. In this entry, we’ll explain just what an audiologist is, what they do, and how they can help you.

A Basic Definition

In simplest terms, you can think of an audiologist as a hearing doctor. Most audiologists will conduct hearing evaluations and tests, help with balance issues caused by the inner-ear, assess and offer solutions for tinnitus, and provide fitting, repairs, and adjustments for hearing aids. In order to help with hearing issues, they will typically have a doctorate in audiology, although there are other related qualifications available.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

At your audiology appointment, you’ll be asked about relevant medical history relating to your hearing problems, along with what the problem is, and how recently you’ve been having issues. Your hearing and the function of your ears will be tested in a few different ways:

Visual exam (otoscopy)

Checking the ear canal for blockages, wax build-up, or damage.

Middle-ear function (tympanometry)

This test is to see how your middle-ear responds to light pressure using a small probe and low-pitched tones. It might sound invasive, but this isn’t a painful procedure.

Air and bone conduction (audiometry)

This is more of a typical hearing test. You’ll listen through headphones to test the softest sound you can hear through air conduction and have your inner ear stimulated through vibration to test bone conduction.

The tests are simple and not painful, and they will help to assess your current hearing. Once you get the results and it’s determined that hearing aids will help, your audiologist or another hearing specialist will take a simple mold of your ear and help you with fitting and comfort.

Your audiologist will always be willing to talk to you afterward about any issues you have, any developments or changes you experience, and to help you be comfortable and confident with your hearing solution.

Contact an Audiologist

If you’re looking to find the best solution for your hearing issues, contact the hearing specialists at SoundLife to talk to an audiologist today. We’ll work with you to make sure you find the right hearing aids for you. We provide you with expert advice, consulting, tests, evaluations, and repairs of existing equipment. Get in touch today and start your journey towards the life you want to live.