AUDIOLOGY CENTER SERVICES

The Audiology Center at UC Irvine Medical Center provides a full range of diagnostic services for patients of all ages who are experiencing hearing problems. The center offers the services of audiologists, who work in close collaboration with ENT specialists.

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The Audiology Center Team

In addition to otolaryngologists (physicians specializing in ENT medicine), the center is staffed by audiologists. These professionals are trained and licensed to evaluate hearing loss using sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Our audiologists have master's or doctorate degrees in their specialty area, as well as extensive training in hearing/balance evaluations and hearing aid fittings as well as evaluation and programming for cochlear implants and other implantable hearing aids. They are qualified to perform hearing tests on infants, children and adults.

Testing

Among the many services provided at the Audiology Center at UC Irvine Medical Center are:

• Pure-tone audiometry testing to measure how well the patient can hear. These screenings are conducted in a special soundproof room, ensuring that background noise does not interfere with test outcomes. The results are compiled in a graph called an audiogram.
• Speech testing to determine the patient’s speech reception threshold—the quietest sound that can be heard. The audiologist will also assess how loud speech must be for the patient to recognize words.
• Auditory brain stem response evaluations to assess hearing in infants and nonverbal children.
• Tympanometry to assess middle-ear function, including detecting fluid in the middle ear or a torn or punctured eardrum.
• Electronstagmography to determine if inner ear disorders are contributing to dizziness or vertigo.
• Hearing aid evaluations to help patients select the most appropriate hearing aid. These evaluations take into account the patient’s test results, type of hearing loss, preferences and special needs. The audiologist also custom-fits the device to ensure optimum comfort and function.
• Audiologic rehabilitation to help patients with severe hearing impairment re-learn how to cope with sound once they receive a hearing aid or cochlear implant. Rehabilitation also helps patients learn how to improve their listening and communication skills.

Hearing aids

There are several types of hearing aids available today—and many different brands from which to choose. The Audiology Center provides access to a full selection of hearing aids, including the newest and most innovative currently on the market.

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Cochlear Implants

The cochlear implant is a new device for restoration of hearing when a hearing aid is not enough or no hearing exists. It is the only medical technology able to functionally restore a human sense – Hearing. It works differently from a hearing aid in that it does not amplify the sound, but actually replaces the function of hearing by taking in the sound and sending the sound signal to the hearing nerve.

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