Department of Audiology

Who needs an Audiologist?

Anyone can get an ear infection, but most adult visits are due to hearing difficulties that occur as part of the aging process, exposure to loud noise/sounds, and/or family history of hearing loss. Other illnesses, like tumors and other medical conditions (i.e., multiple sclerosis and stroke) may also affect hearing. Hearing loss can also occur from some medications. Unfortunately, there are still a large number of hearing losses that have no known cause.

Dealing with the effects of a hearing loss can be very stressful. A child born deaf will have difficulty learning to speak and read. This will affect how the child does in school, home or with friends and family. Early detection and treatment is important. If left untreated, the hearing loss can affect their lives, jobs, and family. Prolonged ear infections can cause a child to have difficulty hearing in school. Adults that have hearing difficulties may have different challenges. They may feel alone, confused, angry, or mad. Their life may change, and it may limit the activities they can perform at home, work and socially; talking to a loved one, listening to a newborn baby cry, attending meetings for work and making important decisions for them and their families may not be as easy as they once were.

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