Opinion Article, J Otol Rhinol Vol: 12 Issue: 2

Understanding Audiology: The Science of Hearing and Communication

Brittany Shriver^*

¹Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA

*Corresponding Author: Brittany Shriver
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA,
E-mail: shriverbrittany@gmail.com

Received date: 20 February, 2023, Manuscript No. JOR-23-92964;

Editor assigned date: 22 February, 2023, PreQC No. JOR-23-92964 (PQ);

Reviewed date: 08 March, 2023, QC No. JOR-23-92964;

Revised date: 15 March, 2023, Manuscript No. JOR-23-92964 (R);

Published date: 22 March, 2023, DOI: 10.4172/2324-8785.100044

Citation: Shriver B (2023) Understanding Audiology: The Science of Hearing and Communication. J Otol Rhinol 12:2.

Description

Audiology is the scientific study of hearing and balance, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and communication disorders. Audiology is a vital field that plays a critical role in helping individuals to manage their hearing loss and communication difficulties.

It is advised to have an audiology evaluation immediately after delivery to look for any hearing issues. It is ideal to do this hearing test on cleft palate children in the first few days of life, when the middle ear is well-aerated and the kid has not yet experienced effusion. This effusion-free time is when the screening test is most helpful. In addition, these kids had a higher incidence of otitis media due to eustachian tube dysfunction before palate repair. Conduction hearing loss and occasionally speech and language delays can result from this. To prevent middle ear ventilation issues, pressureequalizing tubes (grommets) should be inserted at the time of palate repair.

History

The history of audiology can be traced back to the early 1900s when physicians first began to study hearing and balance. However, it was not until the 1960s that audiology became recognized as a distinct profession. Today, audiology is a well-established field with a range of specialized practitioners, including audiologists, hearing aid specialists, and speech-language pathologists.

Functions

The primary function of audiology is to help individuals with hearing and communication disorders. Audiologists work with patients of all ages to diagnose and treat a range of hearing and balance disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. They use a variety of diagnostic tools and techniques, such as hearing tests and balance tests, to determine the nature and severity of a patient's condition.

Disorders

Hearing and communication disorders can affect individuals of all ages, and they can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, illness, injury, and exposure to loud noise. Some of the most common hearing disorders include sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear, while conductive hearing loss is caused by problems with the outer or middle ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both.

Treatments

There are several treatments available for hearing and communication disorders, depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some common treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that amplify sound, while cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that provide sound signals directly to the inner ear. Assistive listening devices, such as FM systems and captioned telephones, help individuals to better hear and understand speech in noisy environments.

Audiology is a vital field that plays an important role in helping individuals with hearing and communication disorders. Through a range of diagnostic tools and treatment options, audiologists are able to diagnose and treat a variety of hearing disorders, improving the quality of life for their patients. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more effective treatments and devices become available to individuals with hearing and communication disorders.

An audiology assessment is recommended soon after birth to check for hearing abnormalities. In children with cleft palate it is best to perform this hearing screening within the first few days of life, when the middle ear is well aerated and the child has not yet developed effusion. The screening test is most useful during this effusion-free period. These children also exhibit a higher frequency of otitis media because of eustachian tube dysfunction prior to palate repair. This can contribute to conductive hearing loss and sometimes speech and language delay. Insertion of pressure-equalizing tubes (grommets) at the time of palate repair is recommended to avoid middle ear ventilation disorders. Although not as common as conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing deficits exist within the cleft population, and they have an effect on speech perception and clarity, as well as auditory comprehension skills. An initial speech evaluation no later than 6 months after birth is recommended for children with cleft palate.