What is an audiologist? Well, they're also known as a Doctor of Audiology and in this
video I’ll discuss how they can help you. Coming up!
Hi, I’m Dr. Derek, audiologist with Pro Fit Hearing.com bringing you the best insight
into today’s latest hearing aids and audio technology to improve your life. If you
have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
Welcome to Question of the Day, Friday where I answer your hearing healthcare and audio
technology question.
What is an audiologist or Doctor of Audiology, and how can they help you?
An audiologist evaluates both the hearing and balance (or vestibular system) of children
and adults. They can determine whether hearing loss exists and prescribe hearing aids.
An audiologist can also conduct cochlear implant evaluations with an Ear Nose
and Throat doctor for patients that do not benefit from hearing aids. The audiologist assists the
cochlear implant user with the fitting and adjustment of their device. Some audiologists specialize
in vestibular evaluation and treatment to help patients with their dizziness or vertigo.
Audiologists can also administer electrophysiology testing to diagnose hearing loss in infants
and children or to check the integrity of the auditory nerve, conduct auditory research
and teach at a university, diagnose auditory processing disorders, make recommendations
for hearing protection in loud noise work environments, and provide specialized treatment
for tinnitus.
They may be found working in a clinical setting, a hearing aid retail
location, at a hearing aid or cochlear implant manufacturer, within the military, at a Veterans clinic,
in a school system, in a hospital, and also in
a university.
An audiologist has either a masters degree or more commonly a doctorate in audiology,
referred to as a Doctor of Audiology. This typically requires 6-8 years of college education.
They may have either a M.S. or Au.D. after their name. Other common credentials for
audiologists include: CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology), FAAA (Fellow
of the American Academy of Audiology), or ABA (board certified by the American Board
of Audiology). To obtain an audiologist license the provider must complete the following:
a doctorate degree (or equivalent) which includes comprehensive written and practical examinations,
supervised clinical hours, a one year externship under supervision of a licensed audiologist,
and a passing score on the national Praxis audiology examination.
An audiologist can provide comprehensive care
for hearing loss across all ages and degrees of severity. If you have concerns about
your hearing, ask your physician for a referral to an audiologist in your area or contact
an audiology clinic directly for an appointment. Check out the link in the description below
for the audiologist directory.
So for today’s question, have you seen an audiologist before? Also, what other hearing
healthcare or audio technology videos do you want to see? Let’s connect in the comments.
Thanks so much for watching this video.
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If you are interested in hearing aids, click on the link in description below for my FREE
ebook, “How To Buy Hearing Aids”. Know what to ask your audiologist or hearing aid
dispenser so that your hearing aids are easy to use and have all the features you’re
looking for.
Remember, Pro Fit Hearing brings you the best insight into today’s latest hearing aids
and audio technology to improve your life. If you have concerns about your hearing, always
consult with your local physician or audiologist. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you in
the next video.