Audiology
The audiology team at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute serves children and adults of all ages and abilities. Our highly trained audiologists are licensed professionals who evaluate problems with hearing and balance systems, diagnose the underlying cause and treat your condition in the most effective way.
Hearing loss can affect anyone, regardless of age, race or gender. An estimated 28 million people suffer from some form of hearing loss, ranging in severity from very mild to profound. You may be referred to our audiology team if you are experiencing hearing loss.
Conditions We Treat
Hearing loss affects millions of Americans, and it can be caused by a number of conditions such as age (presbycusis), exposure to loud noises, hereditary factors or congenital issues present at birth.
Warning signs of hearing loss in adults
- Prefer the television or radio louder than others in the room
- Ask others to repeat themselves
- Have difficulty hearing in large groups or noisy situations
- Feel as though people are mumbling and not speaking clearly
- Feel like one ear is better or poorer than the other
- Experiencing ringing or buzzing sounds in one or both ears (tinnitus)
Risk factors for hearing loss in children
- Not meeting auditory development milestones
- Frequent ear infections
- Family history of childhood hearing loss
- Genetic syndromes
- Complex medical history as an infant
Services
The audiologists at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute are licensed professionals who diagnose and treat problems with hearing or balance systems.
Untreated hearing loss in adults is linked to numerous health risks, such as social isolation, depression and cognitive decline. When hearing loss goes untreated in children, there are concerns for speech, language, and learning delays, behavioral and social concerns, and impact on academic performance. Our team uses advanced diagnostics and offers rehabilitation options to help you hear better, improve communication and stay connected to your loved ones.
Hearing Evaluation
Our hearing evaluation capabilities include:
- Comprehensive hearing testing for adults and children, including Early Intervention evaluations
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing via natural sleep, sedation/anesthesia, as well as neurodiagnostic ABRs for adults
- Newborn hearing screening and follow-up testing
- Monitoring hearing tests due to use of medications that can affect hearing (ototoxicity monitoring)
Treatment Options
Hearing loss management options include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices and accessories, including FM systems for school use
- Custom-made devices, including hearing protection and swimming ear plugs
In addition to the audiology team at OSF INI, the cochlear implant team includes professionals in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), speech-language pathology, social work, neuropsychology, deaf/hard-of-hearing education, Early Intervention and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).