Audiology is the branch of science that studies the sense of hearing. Its practitioners, who study hearing and treat those with hearing losses, are audiologists. Employing various testing strategies (e.g. hearing tests and otoacoustic emission measurements), audiology aims to determine whether someone can hear normally, and if not, which portions of hearing (high, middle, or low frequencies) are affected. If a hearing deficit is present, an audiologist attempts to uncover the cause of the problem (e.g. middle ear versus inner ear abnormalities) and he or she proposes to the patient what types of corrective measures (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery) may help to restore function if that is possible. Audiologists are also involved in the prevention of hearing loss and other communication disorders. Hearing Conservation programs strive to prevent noise induced hearing loss through education and Audiologist intervention.
See also
- Speech-language pathology
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