Audiology

Our audiology service assesses and treats patients with hearing and balance impairments or disorders.

Hearing assessments

We offer a range of diagnostic hearing tests. With these tests, we can find out if you have a hearing impairment, what type it is and how severe it is. If you are diagnosed with a hearing impairment, we will discuss your treatment options with you. You may be prescribed hearing aids or be referred on to another service in the hospital for more tests and treatment.

Balance assessments

We have a number of different tests that assess your balance, including:

• Posturography (EquiTest) 
• Videonystamography (VNG testing)
• Caloric testing 
• Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)

More information about these balance tests is available in our balance assessment leaflet.

Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs)

A bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a special type of hearing aid that is surgically implanted in the bone behind your ear. If it is suitable for you, your audiologist and your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor will discuss it with you. The Audiology service at the Mater Hospital is one of four leading Irish sites that provide adult patients with BAHA fittings.

Research and development

In our department, we carry out many audit, research and development projects, and regularly present our findings at both national and international conferences. We continually monitor our service to make sure it is efficient, of high quality and in line with updated clinical guidelines. All of our team members are committed to continuous professional development and are actively involved in journal clubs and academic meetings. 

This year, our audiology team was awarded an IMSTA Health Innovation award. The award was sponsored by the health research board who valued the innovative and efficient approach used by the auditory implant team for bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) assessments.