Audiology is a field of medical science that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory-related disorders. You may need to see an audiologist if you are experiencing symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, or balance problems. Hearing and balance issues can have a significant impact on your daily life. At Blackrock Health, we have the experience and technology to provide a comprehensive evaluation from our audiology teams. Audiology involves the use of sophisticated equipment and techniques to assess hearing, tinnitus, ear health, and balance. The assessment will help to determine the best course of action for treatment and management of your symptoms
Blackrock Health Audiology Services
At Blackrock Health, we have earned a long-standing reputation for excellence in private medical and surgical care. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the eye, ear, nose, and throat, for both adults and children Our three hospitals offer easy and speedy access to expert care in these fields. We have a renowned team of consultants, and we use the latest techniques and technologies. This means we can aim to provide you with a fast, accurate diagnosis and an effective and tailored treatment plan. We understand that experiencing problems with your eyes, ears, nose, or throat can be worrying. That is why we are committed to providing compassionate and reassuring care. Whether you need a routine check-up or a more complex procedure, we are here to help. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the highest standards of care and support - throughout your journey to better health.
Adults and children with hearing problems can access a wide range of diagnostics, consultations and advanced treatments.
Our audiologists are fully qualified hearing specialists who want to make sure your needs are met, understood and catered for.
Accessing our services
You can access Blackrock Health audiology services easily with a referral from your GP and can then expect world-class clinical care and comfort. Over 75% of our hospital rooms are single occupancy, which can help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life.
Why I might be referred
Disorders affecting the ear, such as hearing loss, tinnitus and ear trauma can lead to a variety of symptoms. These include pain, bleeding, imbalance and dizziness. These symptoms may mean that you find yourself hard of hearing, having balance issues and earaches. You may be referred to a hospital for this type of service by your GP if you have tried other forms of treatment and are not seeing results.
What to expect
If you have an appointment with us, you'll be met by a team of expertly trained, compassionate and friendly clinical audiologists.
Our team are on hand to help address any concerns related to hearing loss or hearing difficulties. We understand that dealing with a hearing condition can be daunting. Our priority is to make sure you receive the best possible care.
Our team
- Audiologists
- ENT specialists
- Nursing practitioners
- Otologists
Services
Our staff are expertly trained in:
- adult and child hearing tests
- balance assessment
- ear protection
- hearing aid assessment, fitting and management
- hearing protection
- impedence audiometry
- otacoustic emissions (OAE)
- pure tone audiometry
- tinnitus management
- video otoscopy
- visual reinforcement audiometry
- wax removal
Disorders affecting the ear
Acoustic Neuroma
Barotrauma
Cholesteatoma
Ear Injuries (Perforated Eardrum, Trauma)
Earwax (Cerumen) Impaction
Hearing Loss (Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed)
Meniere's Disease
Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)
Tinnitus
Hearing Evaluation
When evaluating your hearing we will complete a medical and lifestyle questionnaire, this is a comprehensive patient medical history to establish your needs and listening requirements. Your audiologist will perform a full hearing assessment (Pure Tone Audiometry) with video otoscopy and discuss all results with you. A joint decision is made with you and your audiologist as to which technology level and hearing aid configuration best suits your lifestyle and hearing loss. It includes a listening demonstration of hearing aids to help inform your decision. Your Audiologist will advise you about the various grant options and payments available to you. A full hearing assessment will be undertaken to advise you on conservation of your hearing. We can then recommend suitable hearing protection (industry, musician and leisure) and in some cases, can supply these for you to purchase.
Impedence Audiometry
The purpose of this test is to check how well sound crosses the ear drum, by assessing how well the ear drum is moving. A small probe is placed at the entrance of the ear canal. A gentle amount of air pressure, along with a humming sound, can be puffed into the ear canal reaching and stopping at the ear drum. The movement will produce a graph. This test is used to identify a conductive hearing loss.
Oto-Acoustic Emissions
An Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) test is done by an audiologist to check how well your ears can hear sounds. During the test, a small earpiece is placed in your ear which sends a sound into your ear canal. Your ear then responds by producing a sound of its own which is picked up by a tiny microphone inside the earpiece.
The audiologist can then measure the sound produced by your ear in response to the sound sent in, and use this information to determine how well your inner ear is functioning. This test is quick, painless, and non-invasive. It can be taken by both children and adults, as well as people who may have difficulty responding to traditional hearing tests.
Pure Tone Audiometry
This is the most common hearing assessment. You will be placed in a sound proof booth. Various sounds will be presented to you through headphones and you will be asked to respond by pressing a button when you hear them. The assessment is used to determine what type and what degree of hearing loss you might have. This assessment will indicate to your Audiologist your suitability for hearing aids or if you require a referral to one of our consultants. This procedure can be adapted for paediatric, adult and all ability levels.
Tinnitus Management
Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing noise heard in the ear, yet not caused by any external sound. It is estimated that 90% of patents with tinnitus also have some hearing loss. Your hearing will be assessed by an audiologist to determine if a hearing loss is present. Since tinnitus can be associated with a number of auditory conditions, the audiology test can yield extensive information regarding the cause and options for treatment. The treatment of tinnitus is managed by two methods – tinnitus counselling or sound therapy. Devices such as hearing aids or white noise generators can be used to alleviate tinnitus symptoms.
Video Otoscopy
Our Audiologist will examine your ears using a magnified camera. This will determine the physical health of your ear and can be viewed by you in high definition on a large screen.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
This is a hearing assessment for patients who are under 3 years of age. The child will be placed in a sound proof booth along with their guardian. Varying sounds of intensity and pitch will be presented to the child through speakers and the child will be conditioned to turn to the sound when they hear them. The assessment is used to determine what degree of hearing loss your child might have.
FAQ's about Audiology
At Blackrock Health private hospitals in Dublin and Galway, we understand that a visit to our audiology clinic can be a stressful experience.
To help ease your concerns and provide clear information, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions specific to our audiology services. Our goal is to care for our patients and to make your visit as smooth and reassuring as possible.
What services does the audiology department offer?
The audiology department offers a range of services, including hearing evaluations (audiometry), balance assessments (vestibular testing), hearing aid fittings and adjustments, cochlear implant evaluations and programming, tinnitus evaluation and management, and auditory processing disorder (APD) assessments.
How do I know if I have hearing loss?
Common signs of hearing loss include difficulty understanding speech, asking others to repeat themselves frequently, turning up the volume on the TV or radio, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), and withdrawing from social situations due to communication difficulties. If you suspect hearing loss, it's essential to schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist.
What happens during a hearing evaluation?
During a hearing evaluation, the audiologist will conduct various tests to assess your hearing sensitivity, speech understanding, and middle ear function. Tests may include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing, depending on your specific needs.
What are the treatment options for hearing loss?
Treatment for hearing loss depends on the type and severity of the hearing loss, as well as individual preferences and lifestyle factors. Treatment options may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, auditory rehabilitation (such as speech therapy), and counseling on communication strategies and hearing conservation.
What are hearing aids, and how do they work?
Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear that amplify sound and improve hearing for individuals with hearing loss. They work by capturing sound through a microphone, processing the sound to enhance speech clarity, and delivering the amplified sound to the ear through a speaker or receiver.
How do I choose the right hearing aid for me?
Choosing the right hearing aid involves considering factors such as your degree and type of hearing loss, lifestyle and communication needs, budget, cosmetic preferences, and technological features. Your audiologist will guide you through the selection process and help you find a hearing aid that meets your specific needs.
What should I do if I experience sudden hearing loss?
Sudden hearing loss requires prompt medical attention. If you experience sudden hearing loss or a sudden change in hearing, you should seek immediate evaluation by an audiologist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
How to I access Audiology services?
How do I get this?
You can access this service with a GP or a Consultant referral alternatively you can self refer to make an appointment.
My Health insurance and costs for Audiology services
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance Cover Check page, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
