Audiology Department

Introduction

Audiology is defined, as the scientific study of hearing and balance and audiometry is the measurement of hearing using electro-acoustic equipment. The Audiology Department provides a comprehensive service to patients who have problems with their hearing. The Audiologists, whom are committed to providing high quality and innovative care for our patients, provide these services.

Location

The Audiology Department is located in the Out-Patient Department of the Hospital.

Staff

The Audiological team consists of one Chief Audiologist and one Senior Audiologist.

Clinical services / Assessment and Diagnosis

Audiometric testing is carried out when the patient attends the Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck (ENT-HN or Otolaryngology) clinic. This enables the consultant to have information to assist the diagnosis. The audiometric tests preformed can be divided into two categories, subjective (patient responds) and objective (patient does not respond) tests. The audiogram is the most frequent subjective test procedure preformed in routine clinical investigations. The patients are asked to sit in a sound proof room, headphones are placed over their ears and they are asked to respond each time they hear a stimulus. Other subjective tests include speech audiometry and loudness discomfort levels. The objective tests carried out include Impedance Audiometry, Evoked Response Audiometry (ERA) and Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE). The Audiology Department also offers a paediatric service including Distraction test, Play Audiometry and Visual Reinforced Audiometry (VRA).

Hearing Aids

The audiology Department does not issue or fit hearing aids. The ENT-HN consultants decide if a hearing aid is appropriate. When the patient holds a medical card our Social Worker applies to the Social Welfare Department and they are referred to the hearing aid services for further evaluation.

Accessing our Service

The Audiology Department is only accessed through the ENT-HN Outpatient Clinic. You cannot access our services directly.

Contact us

Tel: (01) 7088534, (01) 6343604, EMAIL: audiology@rveeh.ie

Links

National Association for Deaf People
Irish Tinnitus Association
Irish Society of Audiology
Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologist