Definition: An audiologist is a professional skilled in evaluating both auditory and vestibular (e.g., balance) disorders, using specialized equipment and software. He or she may give you a booth test, whereas you both sit on opposite sides inside a soundproof booth. Newborn hearing screening laws require that an audiologist test a newborn's hearing. When the hearing test is completed, you will be given an audiogram that shows the frequencies and decibels at which you can hear. The audiologist will also let you know if you or your infant qualify for a hearing aid (and may recommend one) or a cochlear implant.
Before I could get my cochlear implant, I had to have my hearing tested by an audiologist to see if I qualified to be implanted. I had to return to an audiologist for mappings (programming) of my cochlear implant.
