Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Doctor of Audiology do?
- What is the difference between an Au.D. and a hearing aid dispenser?
- What causes hearing loss?
- What is tinnitus?
- What causes tinnitus?
- What is an auditory processing disorder?
- What is aural rehabilitation?
What does a Doctor of Audiology do?
A Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) can evaluate and treat disorders of the human hearing and balance systems. This includes conducting specialized tests, working with physicians to diagnose, counseling, rehabilitating, prescribing hearing aids and other assistive devices, monitoring, and providing products and services for hearing conservation.
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What is the difference between an Au.D. and a hearing aid dispenser?
An Au.D. is much more than just a hearing aid dispenser. While a dispenser is licensed to sell hearing aids, he/she may have only basic knowledge of the auditory system. An Au.D. is first and foremost a provider of hearing and balance healthcare. When it comes to hearing aids, Stika, Ross and Cuevas (2002) found greater consumer satisfaction with audiologists than with dispensers.
Back to FAQ IndexHearing loss can be caused by many things including ear canal blockage, eardrum damage, middle ear infection with fluid accumulation, inner ear infection, heredity, birth defects, tumors, aging, trauma, Meniere's syndrome, loud noise exposure, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, and toxic chemicals.
Back to FAQ IndexTinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. According to the American Tinnitus Association, "tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head where no external source is present. Some call it 'ringing in the ears' or 'head noise'."
Back to FAQ IndexThere are many causes of tinnitus. The most common cause is loud noise exposure. Numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs are known to cause it as well. Some people have found that their tinnitus is worsened by alcohol, wine, caffeine, sodium, sugar, spices, nicotine and marijuana. Stress is another common cause. Allergies, middle ear and sinus infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction, otosclerosis, Meniere's disease, and acoustic neuromas, among other things, can also be the culprit. It is important to understand that tinnitus does not cause hearing loss. However, tinnitus may be more noticeable to people with hearing loss; those people might find that hearing aids provide tinnitus relief. If you have tinnitus, see your physician or an audiologist.
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What is an auditory processing disorder?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (1996) defined auditory processing, or more appropriately 'central auditory processing', to include the processes of sound localization and lateralization, auditory discrimination, auditory pattern recognition, temporal aspects of audition, and auditory performance with competing or degraded acoustic signals (such as descrimination of speech in a noisy environment). An auditory processing disorder is an impairment of one or more of these processes.
Back to FAQ IndexThe goals of aural rehabilitation are to adjust to hearing loss, to get the most out of hearing aids and other assistive devices, and to exercise effective communication strategies. Aural rehabilitation services may be offered one-on-one or in groups. In addition, computer-based auditory training may be appropriate for some people.
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