Audiology

Audiologists perform their duties in the areas of prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation, as well as in academic teaching and scientific research.

On the level of Prevention, the Audiology professional is responsible for planning and conducting awareness-raising activities and screening programmes designed to prevent hearing loss. To that effect, he can intervene within industrial communities, schools, high-risk groups and the general population.

In the domain of the Diagnosis, the audiologist prepares, executes and interprets complementary examinations of functional and electrophysiological exploration, in order to identify, quantify and qualify dysfunctions in the audio-vestibular system and facial nerve.

In what concerns to Rehabilitation, he takes part (often integrated in multidisciplinary teams) in the study, development and execution of audio and vestibular rehabilitation programmes. He chooses the most adequate technical solutions (prosthesis) and renders the respective audioprosthetic and audiologic follow-up (audio rehabilitation), planning and executing actions that ensure the system’s improvement.

In teaching, he is responsible for training undergraduate and postgraduate students to the practice of the profession, as well as other professionals who might become interested in audiology.

Finally, in the field of scientific research, he organizes and conducts research projects in order to develop new techniques or to improve the existing ones.