Audiology is a relatively new area of health and is generally expressed in the sense of hearing. However, audiology is a much broader science and health field and it is more appropriate to define it as: '' Audiology is concerned with normal hearing and balance functions; as well as studies on the prevention of hearing and balance disorders; specific test methods and applications for evaluating and determining hearing and balance disorders; rehabilitative approaches, including the selection and implementation of appropriate devices depending on the identified disorder. "
The authority of application of the field of science and health of the audiology is represented by the profession named '' audiologist ''. The term audiologism is a profession and officially recognized by the year 2011 in the Republic of Turkey. According to this definition; '' Audiologist, graduate of faculties or colleges with undergraduate degree in audiology; determining the hearing, balance disorders, rehabilitation and devices used for these purposes, depending on whether hearing and balance controls in individuals are conducted for the prevention of hearing impairment and for the diagnosis and treatment of the relevant specialist physician; "As the description implies, the audiologist is concerned with normal hearing and balance functions, who also determine hearing and balance disorders, rehabilitate, and select and apply appropriate devices (hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc.) as part of this rehabilitation process.
There is a large shortfall of audiologists in the field of audiology in our country and until 2011 we were trying to close this gap with the expert audiologists who were raised in the graduate programs in various universities. However, it is inevitable to start undergraduate education in the field of audiology due to the wide range of service area and the small number of trained personnel. In this respect, the first department of audiology was opened in 2011 within the Istanbul University. In 2012, Audiology Departments have been opened in Bezmialem Vakıf University, Turgut Özal University, İnönü University and Hacettepe University. In 2013, audiology departments were opened in Istanbul Aydın and Istanbul Gelişim University. As of 2013, the total number of Audiology Departments is seven.
The department of audiology, which is opened within the Faculty of Health Sciences within our university, takes in MF-3 score type students in the university examination and gives a four year undergraduate education after the preparatory education. The title of 'audiologist' is given to the graduates. Audiologists have broad working areas in major hospitals, the private sector, universities, special education institutions and the state.
AUDIOLOGISTS TASK, AUTHORIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizing, conducting and coordinating information programs to protect auditory function and prevent hearing loss, including workplace, school and other community environments.
Making noise measurements in noisy acoustical environments, taking precautions to protect the hearing health of living and working people in these environments, and making appropriate rehabilitative interventions when necessary.
Implementation, supervision and follow-up of neonatal, pre-school and school-year hearing screening programs.
Application of behavioral, electroacoustic and / or electrophysiologic methods as required to determine functional impairments in other systems related to hearing, balance and hearing, interpretation of findings obtained and report of results.
To perform neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring and electrodiagnostic tests, to report interpretations and results.
Referral to the concerned division of individuals who have additional problems from the referenced individual to be assessed in terms of hearing and / or balance function.
Assessment of children and adults with auditory processing impairment and determination of appropriate therapy program.
Assessing the appropriateness of the hearing loss individual, hearing aid and other hearing aid devices within the context of the audiological (re) habilitation program, selecting, adjusting and applying the appropriate devices and / or devices.
Evaluation of appropriateness of hearing loss individuals in terms of cochlear implants, application of cochlear implant after surgery, application of audiological rehabilitation program to ensure adaptation of the individual to the device.
Consultation on the care, use and adjustment of devices for the individual and / or family using hearing aids, cochlear implants and / or other hearing aids; making and follow-up of environmental regulations that facilitate the development of recipient and expressive communication skills.
For individuals with hearing loss and / or other impairment of hearing function; (re) habilitation program that includes the family by choosing the ones that are suitable for the age and consciousness level of the individual from the methods such as visual education, lip reading, sign language, total communication, implementation and follow-up.
Assessment of vestibular and / or dyslexic individuals by means of appropriate test methods, interpretation of the findings and reporting of the results; the application of the vestibuler and balance rehabilitation program which he / she deems suitable, the follow-up of the individual, and the orientation of the individual to other departments when necessary.
Evaluation of tinnitus; application and consulting services of a self-administered screening program with tinnitus complaint using biofeedback, behavioral methods, masking, hearing aids and training.
In the areas of auditory (re) habilitation and vestibular rehabilitation, individualized therapy programs are revised according to needs.
For students with hearing loss and other auditory dysfunction; implementation and evaluation of the amplification systems to be used in the wide field or classroom, the implementation of the information programs for the school staff and the provision of consultancy services, the measurement of the noise levels in the training environment, the environmental regulations to reduce the noise level.
Being an educator and / or manager in related departments of universities where undergraduate, graduate and doctorate education related to audiology is provided; planning and conducting basic and applied research for the development of new methods and programs, based on knowledge.
To contribute to the development of technical standards and policies dealing with the profession; measurement of the effectiveness, continuity and quality of the services related to audiology, reporting of its results and the organization of quality improvement programs.
Organization of professional information programs for health professionals in departments associated with and / or working in the field of audiology.
Consultation on the relevant industry for products to be developed and / or produced in relation to evaluation and therapy of hearing and balance function.