Audiologists manage hearing and balance disorders. They perform tests to assess, diagnose and manage patients with auditory-related symptoms, analysing their medical and psychosocial history to diagnose their condition and find a course of treatment. Audiologists also recommend and fit suitable hearing technology such as hearing aids and implants for those with hearing impairment to provide comprehensive hearing management and aural rehabilitation. Other sub-specialties may include vestibular dysfunction, tinnitus management, hyperacusis.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!"
My day starts at 8.30am when I get ready for clinic and my first appointment would be at 9am. If it's the first time I'm seeing a patient who's new to his/her auditory condition, e.g., hearing loss, I would spend time counselling and educating patient on his/her condition and suggested aural rehabilitation devices (e.g. hearing aids) in this hearing aid evaluation appointment. I also fit patients with their hearing aids after their hearing aid evaluation appointment where I would spend time teaching and advising them about their hearing devices care and maintenance. For tech savvy patients who like to use their phones to adjust their hearing devices, I would assist them for mobile phone pairing. I would also see patients for their follow up appointment to fine tune their hearing devices based on their and next of kins' feedback and my observations.
I will always emphasize to my patients that wearing hearing aids is a journey, and that's where my role as an Audiologist comes in. From guiding them at the initial stages to becoming proficient in using hearing aids, enabling them to hear the world around them once more. I strongly believe that hearing is not just a sensory experience, it is a vital component of our daily lives that influences communication, safety, and relationships. Apart from providing support and care to our hearing aid patients, we also do diagnostic hearing test. Our tests aid doctors in making differential diagnosis to identify potential ontological diseases.
