Most people think of October as a time for trick-or-treating and spooky costumes. But hearing specialists get excited around this time for a different reason: it’s National Audiology Awareness Month!
This is a great moment to learn why audiologists have the skills to diagnose a range of complex hearing issues. It’s also a time to find out why you shouldn’t accept help from someone without their expertise.
Today, there is a rising number of online dispensers who let those with hearing concerns purchase devices after limited testing.
This means that many are investing in hearing instruments that might not benefit their unique hearing conditions.
Consequently, I’ve written this article to show why audiologists are the first people you should speak to if you experience hearing issues.
An extensive education
If you contact one of my team or me at Pacific Hearing, Inc. about a concern, it’s almost certain you’ll be talking to someone with a doctor of audiology degree or Au.D., as it’s known.
These have become an industry-standard qualification since they were introduced back in the 1990s and give holders a complete knowledge of hearing issues and treatments.
The rigorous course takes at least four years to complete, and at that time, a participant usually focuses on a particular field of research in hearing.
That’s why you’ll find doctors of audiology among the staff at Pacific Hearing, Inc. who specialize in pediatric care and neurological disorders, for example.
Putting this into practice
This background lets an audiologist precisely diagnose a patient’s hearing issue during a thorough consultation called a comprehensive hearing assessment.
These begin with a conversation where your audiologist will want to understand some details about your symptoms and your day-to-day hearing experiences.
Next, they’ll take a look inside your ears to examine if there are any obvious issues – including a clear blockage in your ear canal or damage to vital parts of your auditory system.
Finally, your audiologist will bring you to the sound booth, where they’ll run you through a series of tests to measure your hearing capacity.
This means that when you receive a diagnosis from one of my team at Pacific Hearing, Inc., you’ll be in no doubt that they’ve taken every step to examine your issue expertly.
A great solution
After correctly determining the reason for your hearing loss, your audiologist will then use their experience and knowledge to prescribe you a great solution.
There are various ways to treat a hearing loss, and not all of these require technological intervention.
Some people simply need their ears to be cleaned thoroughly, and this basic procedure can be administered by one of our specialists.
Others may find that they need a medical procedure, and our team is happy to provide referrals to ENT physicians who can dispense medicines and offer surgical assistance.
Lastly, there will be those who can benefit from hearing aid treatments, and our audiologists work with each patient to decide what instrument would help them the most.
Following this, they’ll program and fine-tune your device to ensure that it meets your hearing condition’s exact requirements.
Are you concerned about a hearing loss or know someone else who is? Contact the team today at (310) 909-0180 to find out more information or write to us on our website.
