General Info

A hearing disorder is the result of impairment to the outer, middle or inner ear, or the hearing pathway to the brain. A hearing disorder may limit the development, comprehension and production of speech and/or language. Hearing loss itself may be partial or total, temporary or permanent. An audiologist is a licensed health care professional who screens, assesses, identifies and provides treatment to persons who experience some degree of impairment in hearing, auditory processing, communication or other related areas. Hearing assessments include a comprehensive battery of tests and procedures which are tailored to the specific age and needs of the individual. In addition to standard testing methods, specialized equipment is available for the evaluation of very young infants and children whose hearing might otherwise be difficult to assess. Speech, language, feeding, swallowing and hearing disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States. At least one out of every six Americans can expect to experience some difficulty with communication or swallowing in their lifetime.