What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a unique professional and you may not know exactly what we do, so this purpose of this page is to explain what an audiologist is and how we help your hearing health. We diagnose and treat all types of hearing loss and our audiologists work with the latest in high-tech hearing aids.
Definition of an Audiologist
Wikipedia defines an audiologist as, “a health-care professional specializing in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and/or treat hearing, tinnitus, or balance problems. They dispense, manage, and rehabilitate hearing aids and assess candidacy for and map cochlear implants. They counsel families through a new diagnosis of hearing loss in infants, and help teach coping and compensation skills to late-deafened adults”. When you understand more about what an audiologist is and what we do as hearing professionals, it can help you feel more comfortable about the process of having a hearing assessment.
What to Expect When You Visit the Audiologist
Audiology exams are pain free and non-invasive. Plan for about an hour visit and arrive a few minutes early to fill out some standard paperwork. Here is what you should bring:
- Your legal government issued identification.
- Your medical history (including any relevant family medical history).
- A list of your current medications including the dosage and frequency.
- Your hearing aids, if you have them.
During your visit, we will discuss your medical history and current hearing concerns before examining your ears and ear canal. Then, we will conduct the hearing assessment which includes listening to a series of sounds and words. The specific test that we administer will depend on your unique needs. The assessment will help us determine if you are experiencing any hearing loss and if so, what type and to what degree. To learn more, read about our hearing assessments here.
If it is determined that you have hearing loss, we will discuss the treatment options with you and either refer you a specialist or recommend hearing aids. If hearing aids are what you need to help you hear better, then we will help you understand all of your amplification options and guide you down the path toward better hearing. Read more about how we find the right hearing aid for you.
Kenwood Hearing Center is Here to Help You through All Aspects of Hearing Loss
If you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing loss prevention, please contact us at Kenwood Hearing Center to schedule a free hearing assessment with one of our hearing professionals today. We are here for you, to help with all aspects of your hearing health.