WHO IS AN AUDIOLOGIST?

An Audiologist has a Bachelors/Master’s degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. They have to be registered under the Rehabilitation Council of India and will have a registration number with ‘A’ eg ‘A12345’. They work in various settings namely hospitals, speech and hearing clinics, schools etc. They work with all age groups from new born babies to elderly population. An audiologist is trained and is qualified in the assessment of the hearing loss, balance disorders and tinnitus. They are able to provide the correct diagnosis. They are able to identify the type and the degree of hearing loss. They conduct various tests for hearing evaluation and hearing screening. They are also trained in the assessment and treatment of various vestibular disorders and tinnitus. They assess candidacy for hearing aids and cochlear implants. Since they have thorough knowledge of the hearing system they are very well equipped to fit hearing aids and programme cochlear implants. They conduct regular follow ups and make sure that the clients are comfortable and benefiting from the hearing aids.

There are many Non-Professionals/ Quacks currently selling Hearing Aids in the market. This is mainly due to the lack of awareness of the profession. If hearing aids are not programmed correctly and fine-tuned with time they will not be comfortable for the client. The sound quality may be too loud or the output maybe too noisy. They may find the hearing aid not helping them but being another nuisance. Such nasty experiences lead to an aversion developed towards the hearing devices. This happens mainly with very young children and older adults. They will eventually decide against wearing it and additionally discourage their peers from going for hearing aids.