Role of Audiologist in a Rehabilitation Team
Original Editors - Add your name/s here if you are the original editor/s of this page. User Name
Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Kim Jackson, Oyemi Sillo, Rucha Gadgil, Lucinda hampton, Ashmita Patrao and Rishika Babburu
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Audiologists are experts in the prevention, identification, assessment, treatment and (re)habilitation of auditory and vestibular difficulties. Audiologists preserve and (re)habilitate auditory and vestibular functioning in individuals across the lifespan in order to improve their quality of life and maximize their participation in society. Audiological rehabilitation is the process of providing training and treatment to improve hearing for those who are hearing impaired. These services focus on adjusting to hearing loss, making the best use of hearing aids, exploring assistive devices, managing conversations, and taking charge of communication. Hearing, balance, and other related disorders are complex, with medical, psychological, physical, social, educational, and employment implications. Treatment services require audiologists to know existing and emerging technologies, intervention strategies, and interpersonal skills to counsel and guide individuals and their family members through the (re)habilitative process.
Knowledge and Skills for Clinical Practice[edit | edit source]
After professional training in Audiology, audiologists should have the knowledge, skills and judgment to provide services related, but not limited, to Auditory Function, Vestibular Function, Hearing Conservation, Tinnitus, Hyperacusis and Misophonia, Auditory Processing Disorders, Cerumen Management, Prescription and Dispensing of Hearing Aids, Assistive Listening and Alerting Devices, Implantable Hearing Devices and Audiologic Rehabilitation.
Assessment and Identification[edit | edit source]
- Identify, test, diagnose, and manage disorders of human hearing, balance, and tinnitus; interpret test results of behavioral and objective measures
- Counsel patients about hearing health and the possible need for treatment/management
- Assess the candidacy of persons with hearing loss for hearing aids and cochlear implants and provide fitting, programming, and audiologic rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcomes
- Supervise and conduct newborn hearing screening programs
- Evaluate and manage children and adults with central auditory processing disorders
- Screen speech-language, the use of sign language, and other factors affecting communication function for the purposes of audiologic evaluation and/or initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders
Management and Treatment[edit | edit source]
- Perform otoscopic examination of ear canals and ear drum, manage the removal of excessive cerumen, and make ear impressions
- Recommend and provide hearing aid selection, fitting, and programming
- Recommend and provide hearing assistive technology systems (HATS)
- Recommend and provide audiologic rehabilitation—including speech reading, communication management, language development, and auditory skill development
- Perform assessment and nonmedical management of tinnitus
- Counsel and educate patients and families/caregivers on the psychosocial adjustments of hearing loss
Prevention and Education[edit | edit source]
- Collaborate with educators regarding communication management, educational implications of hearing loss, educational programming, classroom acoustics, and large-area amplification systems for children with hearing loss
- Educate the public on the prevention of hearing loss, tinnitus, and falls
- Consult about accessibility for persons with hearing loss in public and private buildings, programs, and services
- Implement and/or coordinate community, school-based, or occupational hearing screening and conservation programs
- Participate in the development of professional and technical standards
- Demonstrate the value of audiologic services by measuring functional outcomes, consumer satisfaction, and effectiveness of treatment
- Supervise audiology assistants who provide support functions to the practice of audiology
Heading 3 [edit | edit source]
Add your content to this page here!
