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By Marla Mills


In Maryland audiology is done by highly trained audiologists within the branch of medicine. The term audiology comes from a blend of two Latin words. The two words are logia and audire. By definition, it is a branch of science that is concerned with the study of disorders of balance and hearing. Practitioners who treat the conditions are known as audiologists.

Audiologists specialize in identification, treatment, monitoring, and diagnosis of conditions affecting vestibular systems and auditory sections of the ear. They have training in treating balance and hearing issues in humans. This division of medicine targets at establishing if an individual is able to hear clearly within the usual range or not. In case they cannot hear well within the usual range, the practitioner attempts to establish which frequencies have defect and to what percentage.

Hearing frequencies are normally classified as low, middle, or high. The audiologist only advises the patient on what treatment or assistance options are available after determining the problem. Options available can be in form of surgery, cochlear implants, relevant medical referrals, or hearing aids. Audiologists also work with a wide range of clientele besides testing hearing impairments. They work with people in rehabs, pediatric populations, and also assess vestibular system.

Audiologists give a lot more help to individuals who lose hearing ability when they are of age. They teach the deaf people compensation and coping techniques. They also help in implementing and designing industrial and individual hearing safety programs, offering special fitting ear equipment, new-born hearing testing programs, and school hearing testing programs. They also design equipment that help in safeguarding against defective hearing. They also work in research institutions as researchers.

In order for one to qualify as an audiologist, they must have sufficient training in a wide range of fields. Some of the fields include hearing aids, electrophysiology, psychophysics, acoustics, anatomy and physiology, sign language, cochlear implants, neurology, and counseling. Trainees normally graduate from learning institutions with at least one of the following MSc(audiology), PhD, ScD, Au. D, or STI depending on the country and program of study.

In Maryland like is in other parts of the US, audiologists are managed by state registration and licensure authorities. No graduates or practitioners can practice without possessing the permit for the same. Some states have set entry level into the clinical practice at Doctor level. This means that nobody can practice if they lack a Doctor degree in the profession. National exam must be undertaken too in addition to having undertaken many hours of learning in a known academic institution.

There are several testing strategies utilized in testing hearing impairment in a patient. Some of the majorly known ones include electro-physiologic tests, otoacoustic emission measurements, and videonystagmography among others. Currently USA has more than 70 Doctorate degree programs in this field. Practitioners put many hours of their day handling different problems that crop up every day and require urgent attention.

Maryland audiology division of medicine is greatly developed in the region. The strict regulations concerning practicing have led to high standards in this field. Cases of misconduct are rare, but one should beware that they are not absent entirely. Always seek to know the practitioner well before permitting them to offer medication and advice.




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