“Audiology is the science of hearing and hearing disorders as it relates to humans”
At Acadia Hearing Center, all services are provided by a state-licensed and board-certified audiologist.
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a highly trained professional who performs tasks and tests related to hearing and hearing disorders.
His education consists of a four year bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Disorders. Audiologists then go on to graduate study for up to 6 years in their specialty. Some Audiologists advance in their profession to the Doctoral level. David Cuthbertson, Acadia Hearing Center’s owner/audiologist, received his Doctoral degree in the fall of 2007.
In reality, an audiologist never really stops ‘going to school’. He must continue to attend courses throughout his career in order to stay abreast of new techniques and technologies – and to comply with Maine State Law.
Audiologists are licensed and regulated both nationally and at the state level. They must maintain the highest standards of expertise and ethics as well as actively participating in an active program of continuing education in order to retain their credentials.
An audiologist is the one person who is trained clinically, academically and professionally to evaluate hearing disorders and, when necessary, the need for medical intervention for a hearing problem. Many audiologists also dispense hearing health devices including hearing aids and assistive listening technologies.
Audiologists work in a variety of settings including university hospitals, speech and hearing clinics, and ear, nose and throat physician’s offices. Many, like Dr. Cuthbertson, are independent, private practitioners of Audiology and have a private practice but who regularly consult with other professionals and facilities as needed.
If you think you are having difficulty in hearing (or others have told you so!), you can come to us without a medical referral for a comprehensive audiological examination. We’ll let your medical provider know the outcome and we’ll talk with you about whether you should consider hearing aids.
A hearing evaluation is a test, or a series of tests, performed by the Audiologist. They will determine if there is a hearing loss of any kind and help to determine the possible source.
When you arrive at our practice, you’ll complete a form asking questions about your hearing. Bring a medication list if you have one as sometimes what you’re taking can be part of the problem.
Dr. Cuthbertson will then review this information and talk with you about your feelings and concerns. In our eyes, every patient is different and WE LISTEN to what you have to say.
After being seated comfortably inside our soundproof booth, you’ll wear a set of headphones and will indicate that you’ve heard a series of very soft tones or beeps. This will generally reveal the extent and type of hearing loss.
The doctor then may perform tests of word reception and comprehension in addition to the tone testing. These tests are used to determine more than just the extent and type of hearing loss present. These advanced tests show what the person can do with the hearing they have left.
Some hearing losses are more amenable to medical treatment while others are better corrected with the use of hearing aids. Hearing loss may look identical for the two ears on paper, but an audiologist may find that one ear has better use of its residual hearing for example.
A proper hearing evaluation is vital to obtaining the best treatment for your individual needs.
At Acadia Hearing Center, all testing involves active participation by an Audiologist. We don’t simply ‘plug you in’ to a computer program while we’re off drinking coffee. We are there – always in sight outside the hearing booth window – doing the actual testing using state-of-the-art equipment, monitoring the results and validating your test as it’s occurring. Your hearing health is important – to BOTH of us – and we want to be sure it’s measured with accuracy and precision.