Audiology

The audiology clinic monitors hearing ability and detects problems early. Through the tests performed by our specialists in the audiology clinic, the aim is to identify and treat hearing and balance disorders. When needed, specialist audiologists can offer solutions such as hearing aids or implants. The clinic can also provide treatment approaches specifically for babies and children, and with auditory training and rehabilitation support, patients in our clinic are evaluated in detail using modern testing equipment.

What Is Audiology?

Audiology is the science that studies hearing function. Diagnosing and treating hearing problems early is very important. After making a diagnosis, audiologists recommend the appropriate device or implant. For children, specialized approaches may also be recommended. Hearing plays a key role in how people communicate with one another and with the outside world. This is also where the word audiology comes from: it combines “audio” and “logy,” meaning sound and science; at its core, audiology is the science of hearing.

What Are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss?

According to audiology, hearing loss can have many causes, and these causes produce different symptoms from person to person. In everyday life, normal human speech falls between 500 and 5,000 hertz, and the human ear cannot perceive sounds above 20,000 hertz. Not hearing sounds in the normal range, or hearing them only faintly, leads to difficulties such as trouble understanding speech, which is what we diagnose as hearing loss.

People with hearing loss may need to turn up the volume of sound sources such as the television or radio. In children, hearing loss can slow language and speech development. Speaking loudly and difficulty concentrating may also occur. Children may respond to sounds only when looking in one direction. Physical symptoms such as ringing in the ears, spinning sensations and imbalance may also be present. If you notice reactions like these in your child, we recommend that you visit an audiology clinic.

Hearing loss can also be seen in newborn babies, and many factors can cause it, including low birth weight and a long stay in intensive care. In babies aged 6–12 months, signs such as not responding to sounds and not making speech sounds may be observed. This can also lead to learning difficulties. Very high sound levels are among the triggers of hearing loss. Substance use and aging can also play a role. Congenital genetic causes, aging and injuries may be underlying causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss is diagnosed through tests performed by specialists.

Age-related hearing loss is usually a slowly developing problem. It can make it harder to hear high-frequency sounds. In noise-induced hearing loss, understanding conversations in noisy environments may be difficult. Conditions such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) may also develop. It is possible to prevent hearing loss by taking precautions against noise; these may include avoiding loud sounds and using ear protection. You can consult our specialist audiologists for advice. For people who work in loud environments, such as factories and call centers, we recommend a hearing test every year without fail. As Can Hastanesi in İzmir, we regularly carry out hearing health checks for employees under special agreements with many workplaces.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

A person with normal hearing can easily hear external sounds and speak. When hearing loss begins, the person may become unable to understand others or express themselves. Many conditions can cause this situation arising from hearing loss, including vertigo and tinnitus (dizziness and ringing in the ears), tumors and Ménière’s disease, among many other disorders.

Hearing loss most often affects older adults and people who work in noisy environments; impacts or explosions can also cause hearing loss. There is also a condition called sudden idiopathic hearing loss, in which hearing loss appears suddenly.

In men, hearing loss usually begins between the ages of 65 and 74. After age 40, disorders affecting the inner ear and nerves are frequently seen. Loud sounds, especially those above 95 decibels, can cause sudden hearing loss. Signs of hearing loss include asking people to repeat sentences and having difficulty distinguishing speech in crowded places. Not being able to hear the television or music and being unable to follow conversations are also among the signs.

To diagnose hearing loss, the ears are checked for infection and hearing tests are performed. Treatment options include hearing aids and tympanostomy tubes. Cochlear implants and assistive listening devices may also be used. Speechreading training and medication are also among the treatment options.

Causes of high-frequency hearing loss include congenital, age-related, loud noise exposure, head injury–related and genetic factors.

Causes of congenital hearing loss include certain conditions that arise at birth. These may be syndromes such as Down syndrome, or signs such as skin cysts and ear discharge may be seen.

These may be syndromes such as Down syndrome, or signs such as skin cysts and ear discharge may be seen.

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include viral infections and certain tumors. Mixed hearing loss refers to cases in which conductive and sensorineural types occur together.

Hearing loss affects one in every three people over the age of 65.

Hearing loss that affects daily life usually occurs in people of advanced and very advanced age. It can make it difficult for a person to follow conversations
and can lead to social problems.

Aging and loud noise are major factors in hearing loss. Other causes include ear infections and medication use.

Ototoxic medications can cause temporary hearing loss. Hearing usually improves once the medication is stopped.

Audiometry tests are performed to detect hearing loss. The results of these tests are displayed as graphs.

Treatment involves hearing aids and, when necessary, surgery. Aging stands out as the most common cause of hearing problems.

What Services Does the Audiology Clinic Offer?

The audiology clinic offers a wide range of services. Audiological assessments can be performed for adults and children, and hearing screening is also available for babies. Diagnosis and treatment specific to balance disorders, auditory rehabilitation and applications such as cochlear implants are within the scope of the audiology clinic’s treatments.

The clinic also provides hearing aids and treatment for conditions such as tinnitus.

Hearing Tests

Hearing tests are carried out on referral from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. The examination is usually performed in an audiology outpatient clinic, and the tests are carried out by an audiometrist. These tests include pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, speech audiometry and acoustic reflex testing. The most commonly used test is pure-tone audiometry, which finds the softest sound level you can hear. Tympanometry measures the pressure in the middle ear and provides information about ear function.

Tinnitus Treatment

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is common and indicates a problem in the auditory system. Loud music and similar acoustic injuries can cause problems in the ears and lead to tinnitus. This is a high-pitched sound that we may hear in one ear, sometimes in both ears, or that may feel as if it is coming from inside the head. Tinnitus usually stems from problems of the ear or the auditory pathway and can affect anyone. However, it can be treated with various methods, and in some cases hearing aids and sound maskers can be of great help.

Balance Disorders

Audiology also focuses on the evaluation and treatment of balance disorders. The balance system works through the combination of many components, including the muscles, vision and the inner ear. It should be remembered that the inner ear is important not only for hearing but also for balance.

Special tests are performed to understand the condition of patients with balance problems. These tests reveal whether the balance problem originates in the inner ear or in the brain. Tests such as VNG, caloric testing and vHIT help in this process, and they are performed with state-of-the-art equipment.

BPPV is the most common type of vertigo and can be treated with specific repositioning maneuvers. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises aim to improve quality of life. In some cases, medical or surgical treatment may be required.