Hearing

Services provided:

Hearing screening and testing
Hearing aid evaluation and fitting
Hearing loss prevention
Aural rehabilitation therapy sessions

Who are audiologists? What do they do?

“Audiologists are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages. Hearing and balance disorders are complex with medical, psychological, physical, social, educational, and employment implications. Treatment services require audiologists to have knowledge of existing and emerging technologies, as well as interpersonal skills to counsel and guide patients and their family members through the rehabilitative process. Audiologists provide professional and personalized services to minimize the negative impact of these disorders, leading to improved outcomes and quality of life.”

What does it mean to have a hearing loss?

“When describing hearing loss, we generally look at three categories: type of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, and configuration of hearing loss. With children, it is especially important to diagnose and treat a hearing loss as early as possible. This limits its potential impact on learning and development. Hearing loss can greatly affect the quality of life for adults as well. Unmanaged hearing loss can have an impact on employment, education, and general well-being.”

For more information on the types of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, and configuration of hearing loss, please visit: https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Types-of-Hearing-Loss/

How do hearing aids work?

“To achieve the best results from a hearing aid, you should meet with a certified audiologist to learn what a hearing aid can and cannot do and how best to operate it. It is important to understand how hearing aids work and how to select, operate, and care for them. All hearing aids have a microphone, processors, receiver, and battery compartment. Sound enters the microphone, is amplified and shaped by the processor, is converted back into sound by the receiver, and is directed out to the ear canal.”

Common misconceptions about hearing aids:

“Hearing aids do not restore hearing to ‘normal.’ Hearing aids do not ‘cure’ your hearing loss, but they provide benefit and improvement in communication. They can improve your hearing and listening abilities, and they can substantially improve your quality of life.”

For more information about hearing aids and other assistive listening technology, please visit: https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Treatment/

What is audiologic rehabilitation?

“Audiologic (hearing) rehabilitation (also known as auditory or audiologic rehab) is the process of providing training and treatment to improve hearing for those who are hearing impaired. Hearing rehabilitation services focus on adjusting to hearing loss, making the best use of hearing aids, exploring assistive devices, managing conversations, and taking charge of communication.”

For more information about audiologic rehabilitation, please visit: https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Adult-Audiologic-Rehabilitation/

References:
“Audiologic (Hearing) Rehabilitation.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Adult-Audiologic-Rehabilitation/
“Hearing and Balance.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/
“Hearing Aids For Adults.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Professional-Issues/Hearing-Aids-For-Adults/
“Overview of Hearing Aids.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-aids-overview/

Cleveland State University

Engaged Learning