Audiological Medicine
Audiological Medicine is the speciality relating to disorders of
hearing and balance. Patients present with complaints of hearing
impairment that may or may not be identified on specialised
testing, as well as tinnitus. In addition, this speciality covers
the areas of imbalance of central or peripheral vestibular
origin.
Patients complaining of hearing impairment will require
specialised testing to determine the extent and nature of the
hearing loss. Following this, further investigations may be
required including objective tests of hearing with evoked response
audiometry, measurement of middle ear function with tympanometry,
and when required speech audiometry. Other investigations may
include biochemical tests and imaging studies.
The management of hearing impairment may require the use of
appropriate hearing aid devices, including modern digital aids.
Tinnitus is a very common complaint in the UK, and may be
sufficiently severe to have a significant effect on the patient’s
lifestyle, as well as on the family. The management of tinnitus is
specialised, and requires audiological investigations, as well as
several options in its management, including the recently
recognised method of tinnitus retraining therapy, or
neurophysiologically based management.
A vertigo clinic is established to manage patients presenting
with dizziness. This will include medical assessment, and often,
electrophysiological tests, before an appropriate rehabilitation
programme is formulated and implemented.