Audiology

The Speech and Hearing Center provides a comprehensive program that evaluates and manages auditory disorders in infants, children, and adults.

Dr. Payne talking with a patient

Adult Hearing Services

  • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations
  • Hearing Aid Fitting and Dispensing
  • Cochlear Implant Mapping
  • Hearing Screenings (including industrial)
  • Tinnitus Evaluation and Management
  • Assistive Listening Devices

Pediatric Hearing Services

  • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation
  • Hearing Aid Fitting and Dispensing
  • Newborn Hearing Screening and Follow-up
  • Hearing Screenings for Head Start and Early Intervention
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Auditory Processing Testing

Hearing Aid Videos

Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-up

The goal of the Speech and Hearing Center’s Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-up Program is to ensure that all newborns in our area receive the appropriate required follow-up screening, evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention if necessary, in a timely manner following the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs

Newborns who do not pass the hearing screening performed in the hospital prior to discharge are seen for follow-up testing using non-sedated ABR and OAE test procedures. Our clinic provides the follow-up testing to babies across the West Alabama area. Infants who are confirmed to have hearing loss are then provided necessary evaluation and intervention services, including hearing aid fitting if warranted.

Please contact our audiology coordinator, Dr. Christy Albea, with any questions about our Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-up Program: christy.albea@ua.edu or (205) 348-7131.

Auditory Processing Program

Auditory processing is “what we do with what we hear” (Jack Katz, Ph.D., CCC-A/SLP). Someone with an auditory processing problem may have trouble understanding speech in noise (even with normal hearing), have unexplained trouble with reading and spelling, show difficulty following directions, or confuse similar-sounding words.

Dr. Albea assessing a patient's hearing

The Speech and Hearing Center uses a multi-disciplinary approach when evaluating individuals with a suspected auditory processing weakness. An audiologist completes a comprehensive hearing evaluation and auditory processing skills assessment. A speech-language pathologist completes a language/literacy evaluation. The combined assessments offer a more complete picture of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses.

Please contact our audiology coordinator, Dr. Christy Albea, with any questions about our Auditory Processing Program: christy.albea@ua.edu or (205) 348-7131.