Audiology is the science of hearing, balance and related disorders. Audiologists are experts in the nonmedical diagnosis and management of disorders of the auditory and balance systems. They specialize in:
Identifying and assessing hearing and balance problems
Rehabilitating persons with hearing and balance disorders
Preventing hearing loss
Clinical audiologists work in a variety of settings and can specialize in pediatrics, geriatrics, balance, cochlear implants, hearing aids, tinnitus and auditory processing, among other issues. Audiologists provide a number of services including:
Evaluating hearing
Counseling patients and their families and caregivers
Fitting hearing aids
Evaluating and treating balance disorders
Determining an individual’s need for hearing aid devices
Teaching communication strategies, including speech reading