The audiology department provides diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders affecting children and adults. Our New York State-licensed audiologists provide comprehensive hearing evaluations including pure-tone and speech threshold determination, impedance testing, and site-of-lesion battery. Our scope of expertise extends beyond measures of peripheral hearing. We also have specialized training in neuroaudiological, central auditory processing, and vestibular assessment.
Enhanced services include a universal infant hearing screening program and industrial hearing conservation and educational program.
Complementing the diagnostic program is the individualized aural rehab program. This program begins with hearing assessments and focuses on improving the hearing impaired individual’s ability to successfully function in a variety of listening environments. Hearing aid selection and fitting, including digital technology and therapy sessions, aim to assist a patient to become an active listener and improve communication skills.
The central nervous system uses information from the inner ear, eyes, muscles, and feelings of our lower extremities to maintain our balance. When we have difficulties maintaining that balance, a series of tests is performed. Among these are:
The vestibular system is part of the inner ear, which helps to control balance.
Our education program offers diagnostic support for a wide variety of conditions associated with dizziness.
Conditions include:
Measures of auditory processing are designed to address the efficiency and sophistication of a persons listening abilities. Tape-recorded words, phrases, and sentences, together with background noises, a distorted or muffled quality, or conflicting messages are played. In the case of children, the results are most useful when there has been a referral from the child’s school in order to assist in planning for any academic assistance which might be necessary.
It is also helpful if the test is requested by a physician as part of a diagnostic workup for developmental skills. Auditory processing measures can help answer questions about a child’s ability to:
Based upon assessment findings, recommendations are made regarding specific therapies that may be helpful or environmental modifications that may be needed in a classroom. Recommendations for assessments by related professional services may also be made.
The report takes about two weeks to complete and may be confusing to a lay person. This is why it is generally advisable to have the school assess academic skills and address possible areas of need before scheduling the auditory processing assessment.
Audiology questions can be directed to 845-334-3121.
Good hearing is essential to normal speech and language development. Benedictine Hospital provides hearing screenings for every infant born at our hospital.
Babies are tested using a non-invasive method called OAE. The test is done by placing a probe in the ear and recording an “echo” from the inner ear.
In Oct 2000 it became mandated that all infants be screened prior to three months of age.
If your baby’s speech and language development does not develop as predicted, or if you suspect a change in your child’s hearing, please consult with your doctor and arrange for a hearing evaluation.
If you have any questions about the above infant hearing screening program,
please call 845-334-3121.