|
|
Audiology
Audiology
is a branch of medicine that studies hearing, balance and related
disorders. Audiologists, treat those with hearing loss and proactively
prevent related damage. Employing various testing strategies, e.g. hearing
tests, otoacoustic emission measurements, videonystagmography, and
electrophysiological tests, audiology aims to determine whether someone can
hear within the normal range, and if not, which portions of hearing (high,
middle, or low frequencies) are affected and to what degree.
If an audiologist determines that a hearing loss or vestibular abnormality
is present he or she will provide recommendations to a patient as to what
options, e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery, appropriate medical
referrals) may be of assistance.
Hearing Evaluation
Hearing
evaluation involves both screening for the presence of a hearing impairment
as well as detailed assessment of hearing. Hearing screening is carried out
for individuals in different age groups ranging from newborn babies to the
geriatric. The hearing screening is carried out using behavioural tests,
objective tests or hearing check lists. Those who fail the screening test
are referred for detailed evaluation.
A few behavioural tests used at our Hospital are Pure tone Audiometry and
Speech Audiometry. Facilities to carry out visual reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)
is also available, which makes it possible to obtain voluntary responses
from children as young as six months.
Using objective tests, responses to auditory stimulus can be obtained
without the voluntary response from the individual. The objective tests used
include, immittance evaluation and measurement of auditory evoked
potentials, using state-of-the-art techniques such as the measurement of
otoacoustic emissions and Auditory Steady State Evoked Potentials.
Hearing evaluation is also carried out regularly for individuals employed in
noisy situations to note their base-line hearing abilities and to monitor
progress of hearing loss. After the hearing assessment, appropriate
referrals or rehabilitative procedures are commended. The referrals could be
for a medical/surgical line of treatment. The evaluations are carried out
not only assess the hearing status but also to determined the type of device
that is most appropriate for the patient. This includes devices such as
hearing aids, assistive listening devices or cochlear implants.
Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitative services are offered to the following categories of speech
and language disorders:
Disorders of Childhood
Language - These
includes disorders in childhood such as specific language impairment (SLI),
delayed speech and language (DSL) with hearing impairment , mental
retardation, Cerebral palsy, autism, dyslexia, childhood aphasia,
Craniofacial anomalies, etc.
Disorders of Adult
Language - These
include acquired language disorders in adults such as aphasia, apraxia of
speech, traumatic brain lesions, etc.
Disorders
of Phonology - These
include disorders of articulation, due to functional or organic etiology.
Disorders of Fluency
- These include disorders such as normal non-fluency, stuttering, neurogenic
stuttering, disorders in prosody due to any other causes.
Disorders of Voice
- These include voice disorders such as hoarse voice, high pitched voice,
spastic dysphonia, functional dysphonia, etc.
BACK TO TOP
|
