How much will audiology services cost?
You will not have to pay for audiology services received from the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinic if you are a resident of Nova Scotia, and the services are required for medical reasons.  Costs are covered by Nova Scotia medical insurance.

What age population do audiologists work with?
The Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinic (NSHSC) audiologists work with individuals of all ages. Many people are surprised to find out that even newborn infants can have their hearing assessed using special tests such as otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR).

How do I know if I (or my child) should see an audiologist? 
An audiologist should be consulted if you or anyone close to you has a suspicion of hearing loss.  Audiologists also see individuals who have balance problems, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

For adults, signs of hearing loss are turning up the TV volume, saying "what?" frequently, and having difficulty understanding conversation especially when in the presence of background noise.

For children, signs of hearing loss are delayed speech/language development, inattention, failure to startle in the presence of loud sounds, and academic problems.  Infants who have a family history of hearing loss, who have had meningitis or rubella, or who have received potentially ototoxic medications (such as cisplatinum), should also be seen for an audiological assessment.

How long does an evaluation session take?
It varies depending on the type of testing that will be required.  A full evaluation or assessment typically takes at least one half hour to complete.  If the session is a screening, or a repeat test, it may take less time.  Some procedures such as auditory evoked potentials, tinnitus evaluations, or tests of central auditory processing can take well in excess of one hour.  At the end of the session, the clinician will discuss the results with the client, or with his/her parents if the client is a child.

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