Audiology is the medical field that focuses on hearing and balance. Our audiologists use specialized tests to measure how well you hear sounds and understand speech. 

They also check the health of your middle and inner ear to find what’s causing any changes in your hearing.

Audiology care may include:

• Hearing testing: Safe, painless exams that show how well you hear sounds and words.
• Hearing aid adjustments: We fit and adjust a range of hearing devices to match your needs and lifestyle.
• Cochlear implant care: For people with significant hearing loss, our team works with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons. We help evaluate, program, and support cochlear implants.

Our goal is to help you hear clearly, communicate comfortably, and enjoy the sounds of daily life again.

Audiology services are for anyone with changes in hearing or balance. Our audiologists test how well you hear sounds and speech. They also do other testing to find the cause of your healing and balance problems and help guide your care.

Common ear issues we evaluate include:

• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus, the name for ringing in the ears
• Ear infections or fluid in the ear
• Earwax buildup
• Concerns about hearing in kids

During an audiology visit at Carilion, you’ll receive a complete hearing test. You don’t need to do much to prepare—just avoid loud noise for 24 hours before your test. Let your audiologist know if you’ve had a recent ear infection or earwax buildup.

The evaluation is painless and takes place in a quiet, soundproof room. 

Tests may include:

• Standard hearing test: This test is an audiogram. You’ll listen for tones through earphones to measure how well you hear different pitches and volumes.
• Otoacoustic emissions testing: Measures tiny sound waves made by your inner ear to check how well it works. 
• Auditory brainstem response testing: Uses small sensors on your head and ears to see how your hearing nerve and brain respond to sound.

We also offer pediatric hearing testing, as babies and young kids may not respond to traditional tests. We use gentle, play-based methods to check their hearing.

After your visit, your audiologist will explain your results and discuss next steps. They may refer you for a hearing aid fitting, ear surgery, or cochlear implant evaluation. Some people return for follow-up testing to track hearing changes over time.