What is audiology
Branch of science that deals with hearing and balance
What is an audiologist?
Primary health-care professionals who evaluate, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children
Being an Audiologist requires what
Doctorate of Audiology (AuD), Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), or occasionally a Masters of Science (MS), or Doctorate of Science (ScD)
What are audiologist not?
What does private practice primarily do? (Audiology)
Licensure vs. Certification
Licensure: credential required that legally defines the professional practice of audiology. A license is required to legally practice audiology. Issued by the state
Certification: Voluntary process through a private organization provided to individuals who have successfully met all requirements and demonstrated ability to perform their profession competency. Typically, not mandatory
Presbycusis
sensorineural hearing loss typically associated with aging
Air-conduction
sound sent to inner ear by way of outer and middle ear
Bone-conduction
sound sent to inner ear by way of skull vibrations
Pitch corresponds to ____ & is measured in _____
frequency, Hertz
Loudness/amplitude responds to ____ & is measured in _____
intensity, decibles
Humans can hear
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Peripheral Auditory System
Central Auditory System
What does the external or outer ear consist of?
What does the pinna do?
Middle ear anatomy includes
Ossicular Chain
– Connects TM to the oval window of the cochlea
– Malleus attaches to the TM.
– Stapes footplate is sealed to the oval window of the cochlea.
– Vibration of OC creates the wavelike motion necessary to stimulate the cochlea.
Eustachian Tube
– Tube that connects ME to the nasopharynx
– Allows air to pass from nasopharynx to the ME
– Equalizes the pressure in the ME cavity
- Allows for the optimal TM movement
The hair cells are responsible for
converting the mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses that can be transmitted to the central nervous system.
3 main sections of Cochlea
Basilar Membrane
– Separates the Scala Media from Scala Tympani
– Organ of Corti sits on top of the BM
Maximum stimulation of the cochlea/BM depends on
the frequency of the sound.
The incoming sound wave (created by ossicular chain) displaces the
BM, organ of corti, and tectorial membrane.