Audiology is the field of health sciences that deals with the diagnosis, evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists are professionals who specialize in identifying problems such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness (vertigo) and balance problems in individuals of all ages, and in choosing the appropriate hearing aid and rehabilitating them.

What Conditions Does Audiology Deal With?

Audiology unit; It deals with congenital or acquired hearing and balance problems:

Hearing Impairments

• Conductive hearing loss
• Sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss
• Age-related hearing loss
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Congenital hearing loss

Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)

• Continuous or intermittent buzzing, ringing sensation in the ear

Dizziness and Balance Disorders

• Vertigo
• Meniere's disease
• Balance problems caused by the vestibular system

Newborn and Child Hearing Screening

• Risky baby screenings
• Evaluations for developmental delays
• Hearing test in children with speech delay

What are the Diagnostic Tests Applied in the Audiology Department?

Tests performed by audiologists are:

• Pure tone audiometry (hearing test)
• Tympanometry (middle ear pressure test)
• Otoacoustic emission (OAE)
• Tinnitus evaluation tests
• Vestibular evaluation (balance tests)

How to Understand Hearing Loss

The following symptoms may indicate hearing loss:

• Do not make people repeat what they say often
• Turn the TV up too loud
• Inability to distinguish conversations in crowded environments
• Difficulty talking on the phone
• Delay in speech (in children)
• Difficulty communicating at work or in social life

Services Offered in the Audiology Department

Hearing Evaluation and Follow-up

Hearing status is determined through personalized hearing testing and reporting.

Hearing Aid Application

Hearing aid selection, calibration and user training are provided appropriate to the type and degree of hearing loss.

Evaluation for Implantable Devices

Guidance and follow-up are provided for cases requiring surgical treatment such as cochlear implants.

Newborn Hearing Screenings

Hearing loss in babies is screened for in the early stages and necessary guidance is provided.

Tinnitus and Balance Therapies

Special therapy and rehabilitation programs are applied for patients with tinnitus and balance disorders.

What Happens If Hearing Loss Is Untreated?

Hearing losses that are not diagnosed and treated early:

• Delay in speech and language development in children
• Social isolation and depression in adults
• Increased risk of dementia in older age
• It may lead to consequences such as security problems in daily life (for example, not being able to hear warning sounds).

What Should Be Done to Prevent Hearing Loss?

• Stay away from noisy environments.
• Do not listen to music loudly or for long periods of time with headphones.
• Do not use cotton swabs for ear cleaning.
• Do not neglect ear infections.
• Workers in risky professions should undergo regular audiological tests.