The Role of the Audiologist
Hearing is essential for properly capturing auditory information and sending it to the brain for analysis. It’s a sense that plays a key role in communication.
However, sometimes hearing can be affected by things like noise exposure or the aging of the cells in the inner ear. That’s where an audiologist comes in. According to the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec, “audiologists are professionals who prevent, evaluate and treat people with hearing (e.g. deafness and tinnitus) and vestibular (e.g. vertigo) disorders.” [translation]
What Do Audiologists Do?
The audiologist takes the patient’s history to gather relevant information about their health, listening problems and needs. They also make sure to ask about work and leisure activities that are noisy or could affect hearing. Audiologists work with people of all ages. They play an important role; they evaluate patients’ ability to hear and decode sounds and speech.
Their work is based on a relationship of trust. They take the time to build a meaningful relationship with their patients so that the patients feel comfortable throughout the assessment.
Audiologists take the time to explain each step of the hearing assessment to reassure the patient. Visit the Lobe website to discover all the steps of the hearing assessment. Audiologists also guide them through the process, and teach them communication strategies. Once an audiologist has completed the hearing assessment, they explain the results. Finally, if necessary, they refer the patient to other professionals (audioprosthetists, ENT specialists, rehabilitation centre, etc.).
An Essential Role
Hearing loss can affect many parts of a person’s everyday life. As a result, if it’s not detected early, hearing loss can lead to isolation, loss of self-esteem and struggles with social interactions. If you have a hearing problem, seeing an audiologist will improve your quality of life. After all, their job is to give you the tools you need to enjoy life without compromise!