Audiology
Audiologists – A Clinical Professional Devoted to the Science of Hearing.
Audiologists have extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults and children of all ages and to make referrals to a physician when needed. Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to determine the exact nature of an individual’s hearing problem and dispense and fit hearing aids, administer tests of balance to evaluate dizziness, and dispense assistive listening devices. Highly-trained with either a master’s and/or doctoral degree in audiology, audiolologists must maintain state and national licensure.
Audiologists Provide These Services:
Hearing Evaluations for adults and children – including newborns
- Diagnostic Audiologic Evaluation – The purpose of this test is to determine the softest sounds a person can hear and from there diagnose if there is a hearing loss and to what degree the hearing loss is. The test includes listening for beeps both with head phones for air conduction testing and through a bone oscillator for bone conduction testing. The test also includes speech testing.
- Visual Reinforced Audiometry (VRA) – A testing procedure that is used to test infants and young children ages 4 months to 3 years. The child will sit on their parents lap. When an auditory signal is presented by the Audiolgist the child will turn their head to look where the signal is coming from. When the child looks in the correct direction a toy is lit up to positively reinforce the good behavior.
- Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA) – When testing children ages three to five, the testing method used is one where instead of raising their hand when the child hears the beep, they may put a ball in bucket or stack blocks to make a tower. These activities make it easier for the child to stay on task so more accurate test results can be achieved.
- Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) – Using this test procedure, audiologists are able to screen hearing without a response from the patient. This is a screening tool only, so it is not able to give a degree of hearing loss should one be present. However, this test can rule out any significant degree of hearing loss that could interfere with speech and language development.
Special Testing:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) – This test requires no response from the patient. Electrodes placed on the head record brain waves in response to tones presented to the ear. This measures the function of the acoustic neural pathways beyond the inner ear.
- Videonystagmography (VNG) – This is a test for patients that have been experiencing dizziness or imbalance. The test allows the audiologist to record and analyze eye movements, measuring the function of the inner ear in terms of balance in regards to eye movement.
- Reflex Testing – This is a test of the contraction of one or both of the middle-ear muscles in response to a loud sound in order to help determine the determination of problems in the acoustic neural pathways beyond the inner ear.
- Tympanometry – This is a quick test in which a small amount of air is put into the ear canal to measure eardrum movement to help determine middle ear function.
Hearing Aids:
- Evaluation, Fittings and Supplies – A hearing aid evaluation consists of a personalized interview so that the Audiologist can best fit the level of technology with the patient’s communication needs. During a hearing aid fitting there is one on one instruction to teach the patient how to use the hearing aid and individualized programming of the hearing aid.
- Digital Hearing Aid Technology – There are varying levels of technology from basic to advanced to meet a person’s individual needs. Digital hearing aids also are available in a variety of different sizes.
Assistive Listening Devices – Audiologists also assist with helping to identify devices other than hearing aids that can assist those with hearing difficulties to communicate easier. Examples of some of these devices include amplified telephones, “T.V. listening ears”, and other alerting and listening devices for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Ear and Hearing Protection - Audiologists are able to take ear impressions for custom fit earplugs. This includes fitting earplugs for reduction of loud noise, specialty earplugs like musician’s earplugs or earplugs for keeping water out of the ear.
Audiology Department:
Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group - Atrium Medical Offices
3811 Spring Street, #303
Racine, WI 53405
To schedule an appointment: (262) 687-8210
If you are having trouble with your hearing aid: (262) 687-8256