Audiology features
Current applications and advancements in clinical OAEs
During the past 80 years, British hearing scientists and audiologists have made important contributions to the scientific investigation and clinical application of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). As early as 1946, Thomas Gold conducted pioneering research in the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge...
Advances in speech testing for improved diagnosis and rehabilitation
Measuring an individual’s ability to hear speech in quiet or in the presence of background noise has long been a key component of a comprehensive audiological assessment. Moving beyond the pure-tone audiogram allows us to gain insights that extend far...
Green hearing services: sustainable care for people and the planet
Environmental resource depletion is no longer a distant threat; it is a current health emergency. Sustainable hearing services are kind to both people and the planet. In January 2026, the International Society of Audiology hosted a webinar bringing together those...
Misophonia: an audiologist’s perspective on recent research and assessment
From validated assessment tools to new insights into neural processing, recent research is redefining the audiologist’s role in understanding misophonia. Misophonia – literally “hatred of sound” – is a condition marked by disproportionate emotional and physiological reactions to specific trigger...
When everyday sounds are unbearable: understanding pain and loudness hyperacusis
Everyday sounds can feel unbearably loud or physically painful for people with hyperacusis, a complex disorder that may require tailored, cautious care. Hyperacusis is a disorder in which everyday sounds are experienced as uncomfortable or intolerable. For some people, sounds...
Cochlear implantation and identity in Deaf families
Cochlear implants are one of ENT’s great success stories. But for some families, the decision to implant is far more complex than audiology alone. When we talk about cochlear implantation, we often lead with the science. Candidacy criteria, age at...
Getting the message right on hearing loss and dementia
Are we reaching a consensus on how hearing professionals should talk about hearing loss and dementia? In 2024, the British Society of Audiology (BSA), in collaboration with the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) and the British Society of Hearing Aid...
Hearing conservation in military operations
Navy audiologists protect service members’ hearing, ensuring situational awareness, safety and mission readiness in noisy military operations. Active-duty navy audiologists are naval officers who apply their specialised skill sets and serve as subject matter experts in hearing conservation and communication...
Dispelling myths about audiologic counselling: part two
In the second of a two-part series, Drs Clark and English explore how addressing emotions, embracing silence and managing expectations enhance person-centred care. As discussed in part one of this article [1], when we provide patient education, we must monitor...
Clinical guidance: using the NAL-NL3 Fitting System in practice
NAL-NL3 modernises hearing aid prescription with modular, evidence-based modules, improving real-world comfort and communication for diverse listening needs. Hearing aid prescription has long relied on a single, audiogram-based formula to guide amplification. While this approach has delivered reliable outcomes for...
The connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline: current perspectives
Editorial clarification This article reviews research exploring associations between hearing impairment, cognitive decline and dementia. While evidence shows a dose-dependent relationship, it is important to note that association does not prove causation, and current research does not definitively show if...
Somatosensory tinnitus: an interdisciplinary approach
Somatosensory tinnitus occurs when a head, neck or jaw problem influences what the tinnitus sounds like. Audiologists and physical therapists work together to address this tinnitus subtype. Background Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head, in...
