Audiology
What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders. The audiologist detects hearing loss, assesses the extent of the loss and determines the best rehabilitation of that loss. Many audiologists fit and dispense hearing aids and assistive devices. Audiologists counsel patients of the use and care of their aids and other assistive devices. In addition, they work with physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders.
Audiologists have earned a Master’s Degree in Audiology (M.S. or M.A.); however, a clinical doctoral degree (AuD) is becoming more common for the newer audiologists in the field. They are nationally licensed by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) as designated by the CCC-A . Most states also require a special certification in order to practice. Audiologists may also have licensure with the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).
At Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat, our audiologists are fully licensed, highly educated, and have offered more than 53 years of service to patients in Sioux Falls area.
Diagnostic Services Provided:
The audiologists at Midwest ENT are able to provide hearing evaluations for patients from birth through the geriatric years. Each patient comes to us with unique needs and are treated individually. Appropriate diagnosis by an audiologist supplements the Otolaryngologist and Otologist in diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
Hearing Evaluations:
Prior to testing, the audiologist looks in the ear canal to be sure that testing can be completed safely and accurately. Earphones will be placed into the ear canals to perform testing. Hearing tests are then performed to determine if a hearing loss exists and what type of loss it is. The type and configuration of the loss can also add insight to the appropriate diagnosis of balance disorders as well. The patient will be asked to responds to tones presented through the earphones (air conduction testing) and sounds transmitted through the skull (bone conduction testing). The degree of loss will be determined through this test. Many times a patient will be asked to repeat a series of words to determine the clarity of the sounds they hear. Hearing screenings with infants and toddlers may be performed through speakers rather than through the ear canal.
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (OAE):
Otoacoustic emissions are sounds that are generated from within the inner ear. OAEs disappear after the inner ear has been damaged and therefore are used to measure inner ear health. Clinically they are important because they are the basis of a simple yet non-invasive test for hearing defects. This test is particularly good to evaluate hearing deficits in newborn babies, in children who are too young for conventional testing, or for those who are unable to do traditional testing.
Tympanometry:
During this test, the audiologist places the tip of a hand-held instrument near the opening of the ear. This instrument changes the air pressure inside the ear. This measurement can demonstrate if there
is a fluid behind the eardrum or if an ear tube is working or blocked. It also indicates how the bones in the middle ear are working. This information is used in conjunction with the physician’s physical exam to determine what is happening with a patient’s middle ear.
Electronystagmography (ENG/VNG):
This test battery is designed to help in the diagnosis of vertigo, dizziness or balance dysfunction by testing the vestibular system and measuring eye movement called nystagmus. There is a connection between the eyes, eye muscles and the inner ear balance system. Eye movements are measured during this specialized test and recorded using special video cameras that are inside a set of goggles worn during the test. This is the best way to check how the inner ear balance system is working. This test is used in conjunction with medical findings and audiological findings to help determine the possible causes of dizziness and to help provide diagnostic information on how to treat dizziness and balance difficulties.
Hearing Aids:
Midwest Ear Nose & Throat’s Hearing Center of the Midwest was voted Local Best for 2010-2011 in Sioux Falls, SD.
After a complete hearing evaluation has been completed, the physician may recommend to the patient that hearing aids would enhance the patient’s quality of life. If this is the case, the patient meets again with one of our licensed audiologists.
Our audiologists are skilled at determining the type of hearing aid best suited for the patient’s hearing loss. They strive to help each patient achieve the best results possible with the technology they choose, taking into consideration the degree of hearing loss, the ear or ears affected, the style of hearing aid used for that particular loss, the technology of the device, and its overall cost. At Midwest Ear Nose and Throat, our audiologists work with a number of hearing aid manufacturers to make certain that the most appropriate aid is selected.
Custom Earmolds:
In addition to earmolds that are used with hearing aids. Our office also makes custom earmolds for other applications. Some other molds include those for swimming, iPods, Musician’s earmolds, and hearing protection.
Cochlear Implants:
When a sensorineural hearing loss is severe-to-profound and hearing aids no longer benefit the patient, a cochlear implant may be an option for our patient. A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device and an externally worn sound processor. This provides useful hearing and improved communication. The device requires programming or mapping. Our audiologist, Dr. Kristen Kaufman, has been mapping cochlear implants since 1999 and has the most experience in our state. We have assembled a Cochlear Implant Team to further the success of our patients. The team approach allows us to individualize a patient’s care and focus on the whole person rather than the hearing loss alone. Our team is comprised of the only Neurotologist in our state, Kenneth Scott, M.D. FACS, our audiologist, Kristen Kaufman, Au.D., a speech-language pathologist, a psychologist and a deaf educator.
Auditory Osseointegrated Implants (Baha):
These devices are targeted for patients with single sided deafness or patients with a conductive hearing loss caused by atresia (no ear canal) or chronic otitis externa or otitis media where traditional hearing devices cannot be worn. This device has a surgical procedure to implant a small titanium abutment that is anchored in the bone behind the ear and will protrude through the skin. This provides an anchor for the processor to snap into sending sound vibrations to the inner ear through the skull, naturally stimulating the inner ear.
Vistafix:
When a person has the absence of an external ear the Vistafix is a prosthesis that offers an attractive option. Surgical abutments are placed to attach the prosthetic ear to. These are firmly attached for an active life and peace of mind.When a person has the absence of an external ear the Vistafix is a prosthesis that offers an attractive option. Surgical abutments are placed to attach the prosthetic ear to. These are firmly attached for an active life and peace of mind.
Midwest ENT Audiologists
