Our Audiologist |
 Cheryll Gold, Au.D., CCC-A |
| Certificates of Clinical Competence for Audiology
(CCC-A)
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national scientific and professional association for speech-language pathologists; audiologists; and speech, language, and hearing scientists concerned with communication behavior and disorders. To hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) an individual must have a graduate degree, must have an active interest in the field of communication, and must meet academic course work and clinical practicum requirements in the professional area. Holders of the CCC must abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics, which incorporates the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles. Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) As of 2007, the Au.D. has replaced Masters-level audiology programs as the entry-level degree. The Doctor of Audiology is skilled in providing diagnostic, rehabilitative, and other services associated with hearing, balance, and related audiological fields. |
What is an Audiologist?
An AUDIOLOGIST is the professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with hearing loss. Audiologists have extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults, infants and children of all ages. Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to determine the exact nature of an individual's hearing problem. Audiologists present a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids, administer tests of balance to evaluate dizziness and provide hearing rehabilitation training. Audiologists refer patients to physicians when the hearing problem needs medical or surgical evaluation.
Why Should Someone With A Hearing Loss Be Evaluated By An Audiologist?
Audiologists hold master's or doctoral degrees from accredited universities with special training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists are required to complete a full-time internship and pass a demanding national competency examination. By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, refer patients for medical treatment and provide hearing rehabilitation services.
What Do Audiologists Do?
Hearing Testing
Audiologists use specialized equipment to obtain accurate results about hearing loss. These tests are typically conducted in sound-treated rooms with calibrated equipment. The audiologist is trained to inspect the eardrum with an otoscope, perform limited ear wax removal, conduct diagnostic audiologic tests, and check for medically-related hearing problems. Hearing loss is caused by medical problems about 10% of the time. Audiologists are educated to recognize these medical problems and refer patients to ear, nose and throat physicians (known as otolaryngologists). Most persons with hearing impairment can benefit from the use of hearing aids, and audiologists are knowledgeable about the latest applications of hearing aid technology.
Hearing services for infants and children
Good hearing is essential to the social and intellectual development of infants and young children. Audiologists test hearing and identify hearing loss in children of any age. This includes newborn and infant hearing screening and diagnostic hearing tests with young children. Audiologists provide hearing therapy and fit hearing aids on babies and young children with hearing loss.
Services for school children
Audiologists provide a full range of hearing and rehabilitative hearing services in private and public schools for students in all grades. Such services are essential to the development of speech, language and learning skills in children with hearing problems.
Hearing services and counseling
Audiologists are vitally concerned that every person, regardless of age, benefit from good hearing. Audiologists provide individual counseling to help those with hearing loss function more effectively in social, educational and occupational environments. It is a fact of life that we lose hearing acuity as we grow older, and that hearing problems are commonly associated with the elderly. Audiologists are committed to helping senior citizens hear better.
Hearing aids and assistive listening devices
Audiologists provide complete hearing aid services to clients with hearing problems. Audiologists are also experts with assistive listening equipment and personal alerting devices. Audiologists provide education and training so that persons with hearing impairment can benefit from amplification and communication devices. Audiologists dispense the majority of hearing aids in the United States. Audiologists use the most advanced, computerized procedures to individualize the fitting of hearing aids. Hearing aid options are thoroughly discussed with each potential user based on the results of a complete hearing aid test battery and the individual needs of the patient. Follow-up care andhearing aid accessories are routinely available from dispensing audiologists.
Hearing conservation programs
Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes permanent hearing loss. Because audiologists are concerned with the prevention of hearing loss, they are often involved in implementing programs to protect the hearing of individuals who are exposed to noisy industrial and recreational situations.
Hearing research
Audiologists engage in a wide variety of research activities to develop new hearing assessment techniques and new rehabilitative technologies, particularly in the area of hearing aids. Research reports of audiologists can be found in the professional literature of medical and scientific journals. Audiologists write textbooks on hearing evaluation, hearing aids and the management of people with hearing loss. Audiologists help develop professional standards and are represented on the boards of national and governmental agencies.
How's Your Hearing?
Ask An Audiologist.
