An audiologist is a professional in the field of hearing. They undergo years of training to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing health. You can find many audiologists in hearing clinics or hospitals, but others work in schools or private practices.
A qualified audiologist should have a Doctoral Degree in Audiology and be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Certification.
Some audiologists also choose to pursue continuing education courses every year to stay up-to-date with evolving technologies and best practices within their field.
What Ailments Can Audiologists Help Address?
Audiologists can address a wide range of disorders that are closely related to hearing. Typically, these conditions affect people from all walks of life and may even be diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Auditory Processing Disorders
Auditory processing disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an individual’s ability to process, interpret, and respond to sound. A number of factors can cause them; some to note are brain injury, genetic predispositions, heredity, and hearing loss.
Treating a person with APD can be tricky because of its complex nature. Some audiologists and hearing clinics offer speech therapy, given its proven effectiveness.
Other hearing care solutions include cognitive training approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, somatosensory stimulation techniques, and neurofeedback training.
Balance Disorders
Balance disorders make it challenging for a person to maintain their body’s equilibrium, resulting in occasional falls and sustained injuries. A prime example of a balance disorder is vertigo.
People with vertigo experience a sensation of spinning or whirling despite being stationary. It occurs when a side of the semicircular canal system has become hypersensitive, resulting in stimulation that prompts the brain to send conflicting signals about its position.
It depends on the patient and the audiologist, but some treatments for vertigo include anti-nausea medication, physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and meditation.
Hearing Disorders
Hearing disorder is a condition that impacts how people hear. It can affect their ability to communicate, socialize, and connect with the world around them.
The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the inner ear’s cochlea hair cells. Other possible causes of hearing loss are age-related problems, viral infections, noise-induced damage, genetic abnormalities, or certain medications.
Audiologists typically conduct an audio test to check for possible hearing disorders. They also visually inspect the ear canal, measure the sound level with special equipment, or perform pure tone audiometry. After, they can provide the necessary hearing care solutions the patient needs.
Misophonia
Misophonia is a condition that causes patients to experience a strong aversion to certain sounds. They are often associated with negative feelings or emotions, such as anger or disgust.
There are three possible causes for misophonia. One is neurological in nature, where nerve cells in the brain stop recognizing these sounds as harmless noises.
Another cause could be stress or anxiety, where misophonia sufferers may be hyper-reactive due to stress-induced changes in their brain chemistry. The third possible cause could be developmental trauma.
How Can an Audiologist Help You?
Audiologists are trained professionals who conduct auditory tests, identify hearing problems, and provide hearing care solutions for people with hearing loss.
There are many ways in which audiologists can assist their patients. For example, they can teach individuals how to recognize sounds that they may not hear.
Audiologists also play a vital role in screening children for potential hearing issues and educating parents on the proper care and education of their children’s hearing needs.
If you’re having hearing problems, it’s best to consult with an audiologist right away. Doing so can help you pinpoint your disorder and get you the necessary care you need to continue leading a regular life.
Are you looking for a hearing specialist in Massachusetts? Hear More Associates is one of the most accessible options in the area. We have five locations across Boston and offer a wide range of hearing care solutions to those in need. Book a consultation with us today to learn more about our services!
