How a Neuroaudiologist in Texas Treats Hearing Differently: Cognitive & Balance Testing Explained

A neuroaudiologist is a medical specialist in audiology with advanced training in the neurological basis of hearing and balance disorders. This medical professional takes a different approach to traditional audiology by incorporating cognitive and balance tests in their diagnostic services. This can help neuroaudiologists diagnose the root cause of many hearing and balance issues to improve outcomes for Texas patients.

Hearing and Balance Disorders Explained

Your hearing and balance are closely connected, as they both rely on the systems in the inner ear. Issues with the inner ear can result in a variety of issues with your hearing and balance.

There are a variety of causes of inner ear problems, which is exactly what a neuroaudiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating. Many inner ear disorders stem from neurological issues, including:

• Tinnitus
• Vestibular neuronitis
• BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
• Auditory processing disorders

Understanding the underlying cause of a hearing or balance disorder can help ensure you receive the appropriate treatment and the best outcomes.

Cognitive Testing for Balance and Hearing

If you’re experiencing issues with your balance and hearing, a neuroaudiologist in Texas may be able to provide you with the diagnostic and treatment services you need. During your appointment, your neuroaudiologist may use a variety of cognitive tests to diagnose your condition. The cognitive testing that will be recommended for you will depend on the unique symptoms you’re experiencing and may include:

• ABR/BAER – Brainstem auditory evoked response testing measures brainwave activity in response to sound, which can help diagnose hearing loss as well as neurological issues.
• Dichotic listening – In this cognitive test, two different sounds are played simultaneously to test for issues with directed attention and divided attention.
• Temporal processing tests – This diagnostic tool helps measure how the brain perceives the timing of sound and how sound changes over time to help diagnose auditory processing disorders and related conditions.
• VNG – A videonystagmography measures small eye movements in response to visual stimuli, head movements, and other stimuli. It can help diagnose BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease, to name a few.
• HIT – A head impulse test measures the vestibulo-ocular reflex to check for balance issues.

There is a wide range of cognitive tests available, and your neuroaudiologist can determine the best options for you. Cognitive testing is a useful tool for neuroaudiologists, as these tests look at the connection between neurological issues and hearing and balance disorders. Because these systems are highly integrated, neuroaudiologists can provide a more thorough diagnostic evaluation that gets to the root cause of many hearing and balance issues. Patients who seek treatment from a neuroaudiologist enjoy better outcomes from this advanced level of care.

Schedule an Appointment With Our Neuroaudiologist

Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing is your trusted source for hearing care and related services in Friendswood, TX. We are proud to have a neuroaudiologist on staff to provide advanced cognitive testing that can help diagnose the underlying cause of hearing and balance issues. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our neuroaudiologist, contact Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing today.