Location & appointments:
To schedule an audiological evaluation, please contact us:

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
111 Brewster Street
Pawtucket, RI  02860
(401) 729-2022 or (401) 729-2316
(401) 729-2680 - fax
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm

Problems understanding. Difficulty distinguishing meaningful sounds from background noise. Sudden hearing loss. These and other conditions ae evaluated and treated in our comprehensive program. Experienced, licensed audiologists determine the nature and extent of impairment and, if needed, will fit you with hearing aids.

What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who specializes in the identification and prevention of hearing impairment and the non-medical rehabilitation of those with hearing problems.

At Memorial Hospital, audiologists have a master's or doctoral degree in audiology, a certificate of clinical competence in audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and are licensed by the RI Department of Health.

Services
Memorial's outpatient audiology program is designed for patients of all ages with hearing difficulties, including children who have 

• Delayed speech or language
• Unclear speech
• Frequent ear infections
• Failed a school or other hearing screening
• Tubes in place or frequent "swimmer's ear" and need custom swim molds
• A viral or bacterial infection or a family history of hearing impairment

We also help people of all ages with

• Communication difficulties (those who may hear but do not understand; have difficulty understanding with background noise; and/or need to raise the volume of a TV or radio higher than others would prefer)
  
• Sudden hearing loss, noises in the ear, or dizziness
• Possible hearing loss due to noise exposure, head injury, viral or bacterial infections, certain medications and/or aging

Testing
Memorial's audiology program offers the following:

Early identification

• Neonatal screening program for every newborn at Memorial Hospital
  
• Follow-up audiologic and habilitative services
• Free community hearing screenings

Evaluation

• Comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations
• Complete reports and recommendations to referring physicians
• Recommendations for appropriate classroom management
• Determination of need for aural (hearing) rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

• Hearing aid prescription and fitting
• Instruction in the use and care of hearing aids
• Communications skills training
• Assistive listening devices for telephone, television, and alerts

Prevention

• Occupational hearing conservation services to businesses to prevent noise-induced hearing loss
• Noise monitoring and hearing protection
  
• Employee education and annual audiometric testing
  

Education

• Patient and family counseling for effective hearing health management
• In-service workshops for professionals

Other services:
The Physical Medicine department at Memorial also offers speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.