Audiology

Breaking Silence, Empowering Life: Transforming Challenges of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss refers to the partial or complete inability to hear sounds in one or both ears, and its impact on one's quality of life cannot be underestimated.

For infants and children with hearing impairments, the consequences for their speech and language development are particularly critical, as they can significantly influence their educational achievements and future career prospects. Hence, early detection and comprehensive management play a vital role in overcoming these limitations and ensuring optimal development.

With the advancements in audiology services and by seeking professional assessments and rehabilitation from qualified experts, individuals with hearing loss can actively engage in communication, just like their peers with normal hearing. These audiology services provide personalised support and innovative solutions to empower individuals with hearing loss and improve their quality of life.

Specialised Audiology Services at Prince Court Medical Centre

The Audiology Unit at Prince Court Medical Centre, located on Level 3, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of hearing and balance assessments, as well as rehabilitation services for patients of all ages, from infants to geriatrics. Our team consists of qualified and experienced clinical audiologists and assistants who are committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our clinical audiologists are highly trained professionals specialising in the diagnosis and management of hearing and balance issues. They conduct assessments for individuals across all age groups and develop personalised rehabilitation programmes tailored to each patient's specific needs. Our audiology services include:

• Screening:

  Our unit conducts Newborn Hearing Screening for all babies born at Prince Court Medical Centre, whether in the Nursery or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We also offer hearing screening for outpatients, and audiometric screening is available for individuals who require it, such as industrial workers or school children.
  
  

• Diagnostic:

  We provide a range of diagnostic tests for hearing assessment, suitable for individuals of all age groups.

  • Pure Tone Audiometry
  • Immittance Measurements (including tympanometry and acoustic reflexes utilising Wideband reflectance technology)
  • Behavioural hearing assessment for Paediatrics (such as Visual Reinforcement Audiometry and Play Audiometry)
  • Electrophysiological tests (such as Otoacoustic Emissions, Auditory Brainstem Response, and Auditory Steady-State Response)
  • Speech Audiometry and Speech in Noise Test
  • Auditory processing / discrimination (limited to P300 + mismatch negativity)

At Prince Court Medical Centre, we provide a range of specialised audiology services to address various hearing-related needs.

• Hearing Aids and Accessories

  Evaluation and dispensing of hearing aids are available for individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. We also offer custom earplugs designed for noise and music, specifically for those working in extremely noisy environments, such as industrial or aviation workers. These custom earplugs come with different filters to attenuate sounds, catering to different environmental needs.
  
  

• Hearing Implants

  For individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who may not benefit from hearing aids, we offer options such as cochlear implants or Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) for those with chronic middle ear effusion or single-sided deafness.
  
  

• Vestibular and Balance Assessment

  We understand that vertigo, giddiness, and unsteadiness can significantly impact an individual's daily life. Our vestibular and balance assessments aim to determine the underlying cause and type of management required. These assessments include Video Nystagmography (VNG) for oculomotor function, Video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT), Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) which cover both cervical and ocular assessment, and Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test. We also assess the risk of falls through Vertiguard Posturography and offer Vertiguard Vibrotactile Rehabilitation for individuals identified as being at risk of falls.
  
  

• Tinnitus Rehabilitation
  Tinnitus, often described as "ringing in the ears," can be a distressing condition that affects many individuals. At Prince Court Medical Centre, we offer Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as effective management approaches for tinnitus. Additionally, we provide auditory amplification for individuals who experience both tinnitus and hearing loss, addressing both aspects of their condition.