Audiology
What is an Audiologist and Tinnitus Specialist?
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hearing and balance disorders.
They are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of auditory and vestibular conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, balance disorders, and auditory processing disorders.
A tinnitus specialist, on the other hand, is an audiologist or healthcare provider who has additional expertise and training specifically focused on the assessment and management of tinnitus. Tinnitus specialists have specialized knowledge and experience in diagnosing the underlying causes of tinnitus, providing counselling and education to help patients cope with tinnitus symptoms, and implementing evidence-based treatment strategies to reduce tinnitus severity and impact on quality of life.
Here’s how it generally works:
Hearing Assessments
Sally conducts comprehensive hearing evaluations to assess the degree and type of hearing loss a person may have. This typically involves a series of tests to measure hearing sensitivity, speech understanding, and middle ear function.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Based on the results of the hearing assessment, Sally develops personalised treatment plans to address each individual’s hearing needs. This may include fitting hearing aids or other assistive listening devices, providing auditory rehabilitation and counselling, and recommending strategies for managing communication difficulties.
Tinnitus Management
Sally plays a crucial role in the assessment and management of tinnitus, which is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears or head. She can help identify potential causes of tinnitus, such as hearing loss or underlying medical conditions, and provide counselling and sound therapy to help manage and reduce tinnitus symptoms.
Balance Assessments:
Sally also evaluates and treats balance disorders, which can result from problems with the inner ear, vestibular system, or other neurological conditions. She may perform vestibular assessments to assess balance function and recommend appropriate treatment or rehabilitation strategies.
Progress Monitoring
Throughout the therapy process, progress towards your goals is regularly monitored and evaluated. This helps to ensure that the therapy remains focused on achieving your desired outcomes.
Empowerment and Self-Efficacy
SFH emphasises empowering you to take control of your own life and develop confidence in your own ability and capability to overcome challenges. You are encouraged to focus on your strengths and successes, which can help boost your self-esteem and resilience.
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of hearing and balance disorders, including tinnitus.
Tinnitus specialists are audiologists or healthcare providers with additional expertise in tinnitus assessment and management. They play a vital role in helping individuals with tinnitus manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
The Best AUDIOLOGIST in Brighouse
How can An Audiologist and Hearing Aids help me?
Audiology and hearing aids can help you in several ways if you’re experiencing hearing loss or related auditory issues:
Overall, audiology and hearing aids can significantly improve your hearing and communication abilities, enhance your quality of life, and enable you to fully engage in social, work, and recreational activities. By working with a qualified audiologist, you can receive personalised care and support tailored to your individual hearing needs and preferences.
What can I expect from an Audiologist and Tinnitus Specialist?
When you visit an audiologist or a tinnitus specialist, you can expect the following:
Comprehensive Assessment:
Sally will conduct a thorough assessment of your hearing and tinnitus symptoms. This will include a detailed discussion about your medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and any previous treatments or interventions you may have tried.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on your specific concerns, Sally may perform a variety of diagnostic tests to evaluate your hearing and tinnitus. This may include pure-tone audiometry to measure your hearing sensitivity, speech audiometry to assess your ability to understand speech, and tinnitus pitch matching to determine the frequency of your tinnitus.
Tinnitus Evaluation
Denise will provide you with information about SFH and how it works. This will include a detailed delivery explaining the roles of the Intellectual Mind, the Primitive (Emotional) Mind and the Subconscious mind, the principles of solution focused therapy, and the techniques used in hypnosis.
Treatment Recommendations
During your hypnosis sessions, I will guide you into a state of deep relaxation where your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to suggestion. I will use a combination of relaxation techniques, visualisation, and positive affirmations to help reinforce your goals and promote positive change.
Hearing Aid Evaluation and Fitting
If you have hearing loss in addition to tinnitus, Sally may recommend hearing aids as part of your treatment plan. She will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to determine the most suitable hearing aids for your hearing needs and lifestyle and provide personalised fitting and programming to ensure optimal performance and comfort.
Counselling and Support
Throughout the assessment and treatment process, Sally will provide counselling, support, and guidance to help you cope with your hearing or tinnitus symptoms effectively. She will address any concerns or questions you may have and offer strategies for managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life.
Follow-Up Care
After your initial assessment and treatment, Sally will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan, and provide ongoing support and care as needed.
Number of Sessions
After your initial assessment and treatment, Sally will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan, and provide ongoing support and care as needed.
Overall, you can expect personalised, compassionate care from an audiologist or tinnitus specialist who is dedicated to helping you address your hearing or tinnitus concerns and improve your overall well-being.
Sally will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs and goals and support you every step of the way on your journey to better hearing and tinnitus management.
The Best AUDIOLOGIST in Brighouse
How can hearing aids help me?
Hearing aids can help you in several ways if you’re experiencing hearing loss or related auditory issues:
It’s important to note that the benefits of hearing aids can vary depending on factors such as the severity and type of hearing loss, the quality of the hearing aids, and your individual hearing needs and preferences. Working with a qualified audiologist can help ensure that you receive the most appropriate hearing aids and personalised care and support to address your unique hearing challenges effectively.
