Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Program

Community Audiology Services

The Audiologist: Your Hearing Care Professional

Infants who are found to have a hearing loss through the screening program are referred to a community-based audiologist for further testing. Audiologists are hearing professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and other hearing related disorders. In Rhode Island, parents can choose from a list that includes private practice audiologists, specialists in hospitals, and medical office based practitioners who have specialized training in pediatric audiological testing.

Services Provided by the Audiologist

The audiologist conducts age-appropriate testing to diagnose the severity of the hearing loss and at what pitch ranges the loss occurs. It can take several appointments to determine how the infant or child is hearing. The audiologist tells parents of the finding, explains available options, and discusses what they should expect. This usually includes providing families with information on community resources and education materials to help them understand the diagnosis and begin to make informed decisions about the habilitative options for their child. The audiologist will recommend a medical check-up of the child following diagnosis.

Amplification Choices

If parents choose to pursue hearing aids, the audiologist will assess the loss and prescribe an appropriate system. Hearing aids can be fitted on young infants within the first few months of life. The earlier that children begin to receive consistent auditory stimulation, the better their ability to recognize and develop speech and language. The audiologist will take impressions of the infant’s ear canals to order customized hearing aids for the specific type and degree of loss. Upon fitting the instruments, the audiologist will make specialized measurements and adjustments to provide the baby with the best amplification system.

Ongoing Support

The audiologist will continue to keep track of the amplification system as the child grows to be sure that the child is receiving the most benefit. The audiologist will offer training and guidance for infants and their families so that infants can more effectively use their new "ears." The audiologist can provide this through direct therapy, called auditory training, and through a team approach with the other professionals and therapists working with the child. As the child grows, more assistive listening systems may be used in daycare or school settings. The audiologist serves as the resource for these areas of the child’s development and will help the educator to ensure that the system is used correctly.

For further information contact:

Rhode Island Academy of Audiology
P.O. Box 41087
Providence, RI 02940

Rhode Island Speech Language Hearing Association
P.O. Box 9241
Providence, RI 02940 Tel: (401) 455-7472 (Note: this number can also be used to obtain a referral to the RI Academy of Audiology)