Welcome to Audiology
1 to 4 of every 1000 babies born in the U.S. has some form of hearing loss. Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, learning, and social development.
We provide comprehensive hearing services to patients of all ages, including hearing testing, hearing aid dispensing and cochlear implant services. Please learn about all the services we offer.
The Audiology department at VCU Health is devoted to improving the communication ability of persons with hearing loss through clinical services, research and education of professionals and families.
Audiologists are licensed health-care professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance and other auditory disorders for people of all ages. Hearing and balance disorders are complex with medical, psychological, physical, social, educational, and employment implications. Treatment services require audiologists to have knowledge of existing and emerging technologies, as well as interpersonal skills to counsel and guide patients and their family members through the rehabilitative process.Audiologists provide professional and personalized services to minimize the negative impact of these disorders, leading to improved outcomes and quality of life. (American Academy of Audiology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
We provide a wide range of hearing diagnostic and amplification/management options for all ages (birth through adult). Clinical services provided include:
- Behavioral evaluation Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
- Immittance audiometry (tympanometry and acoustic reflexes)
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)
- Assessment of balance (vestibular) function is also available for adults
We provide and support a number of different device options to improve access to sound for individuals with hearing loss. Our Audiologists are licensed to select, fit, and dispense hearing aids, and are uniquely trained to program cochlear implants. We provide expert troubleshooting when equipment concerns arise. Examples of devices offered include:
- Hearing aids
- Bone-conduction hearing devices (including Baha and Ponto), both surgical and non-surgical
- Earmolds for use with hearing devices (or for hearing protection)
- Cochlear implants
Our Cochlear Implant Program began in 1986 as one of 24 original programs in the FDA Clinical Trials for multichannel cochlear implants. The program continues as a research study site for all three devices and has been designed as a Center of Excellence. Our cochlear implant team is the veteran implant team in Virginia. More information may be found on Cochlear Implant website.
Through the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, we offer a range of tests to determine a child's hearing status. Referrals come from the newborn hearing screening program, local health professionals and educators, as well as parental self-referral.
For a child with hearing loss, we help find the best interventions that will help improve the child's access to sound. We work in partnership with families, educators, and other health care and agency providers to encourage the best possible communication development for children with hearing loss.
We also work closely with specialists in Otolaryngology in evaluation and monitoring of hearing in patients with ear health issues (e.g., middle ear infections/fluid).
The VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities has developed Resource Landing Pads, which are central locations for parents to find information about online, print, and video resources, and Virginia-specific guidance related to their child's disability. Our providers wrote the document that can be found here under Deaf and Hard of Hearing (English and Spanish)
Information from the Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. Our department consulted on the development and production of an 8-minute video resource for parents of children who have not passed their newborn hearing screening, Loss & Found (in English and Spanish).
To make an appointment call (804) 828-0431.
Please fax referrals to (804) 628-0950
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
VCU Health Audiology participates in Medicare/Medicaid and most insurance, worker's compensation and managed care plans. As a patient, you are responsible for making sure that your services are covered at the VCU Audiology clinic by your insurance company. We accept patients who do not have insurance. Payments can be made using credit cards, checks or cash.
We encourage you to speak with your carrier or employer if you have any questions about your policy and coverage. It is also helpful to bring your insurance cards upon admission to ensure the accuracy of the information for billing purposes.
It is ultimately your responsibility for making sure that an authorization is obtained before your visit and for subsequent visits.
If you come to our office without the appropriate authorization you will have the option of rescheduling your appointment and or paying for the visit up front.
