ABSTRACT
At its core, the profession of audiology is dedicated to the study of the human auditory system and its disorders, to the understanding of the impact that hearing loss has on human communication processes, and to the implementation of habilitation and rehabilitation strategies to assist persons identified as hearing impaired. Audiology has spread broadly beyond its initial focus on aural rehabilitation of military personnel returning from World War II. Currently, audiologists are involved in diagnostic assessment of auditory function in neonatal to geriatric subpopulations, in improving hearing sensitivity and communication effectiveness through the fitting of traditional and newer forms of amplification, and in the programming and maintenance of electronic implants impacting the auditory system. In addition, audiologists contribute expertise and guidance in clinical service areas such as industrial hearing conservation, vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, and tinnitus assessment and management.
