Neuro-otologist and Audiologist working together?
Neuro-otology is an area of medicine which studies and treats disorders of the WHOLE ear. It is a subspecialty of otolaryngology, commonly referred to as Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), and is closely related to otology, and also draws on the fields of neurology and neurosurgery (study of the brain). ENT’s generally work with outer ear concerns, Otology generally refers to the treatment of middle ear disease and resultant conductive hearing loss, whereas neurotology refers to treatment of inner ear conditions, or hearing and balance disorders. To put it simply Neurotology specializes in the WHOLE ear – outer, middle and inner parts of the ear. These specialists also work closely with audiologists.
Audiologists are the primary health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children. They treat all ages and types of hearing loss: the elderly, adults, teens, children, and infants. Audiologist can:
- Prescribe, fit, and dispense hearing aids and other amplification and hearing assistance technologies.
- Design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs
- Provide hearing rehabilitation training such as auditory training and listening skills improvement
- Assess and treat individuals:
- with central auditory processing disorders
- with tinnitus (noise in the ear, such as ringing)
The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) is a professional degree for an audiologist. The Au.D. program is designed to produce audiologists who are skilled in providing diagnostic, rehabilitative, and other services associated with hearing, balance, tinnitus management, and related audiological fields.
Because the Virginia Hearing Center is so closely tied with the Balance and Ear Center and the Neuro-otologists Dr Fred and Wayne Shaia, we have opted to only employ Audiologists vs Hearing Instrument Specialists. We feel the four years of graduate school needed to earn their doctorate on the WHOLE ear provides a more satisfied outcome for the hearing loss treatment plans prescribed. Audiologist have a strong understanding of how and what will affect an individual’s hearing, not just the ins and outs of a particular hearing device. Coupling that understanding with the vast amount of experience in coaching, and training individuals; we feel our patients are getting the best possible solution for their individual needs. We spend just as much time learning about our patient’s individual live style goals as we do on their hearing loss. Understanding how a patient’s hearing can affect their goals will help ensure the correct hearing device is proposed.
Call Virginia Hearing Center at (804) 288-3277 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
