Audiology
Audiology is a branch of health care devoted to the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing disorders. An Audiologist is credentialed in the practice of Audiology to provide a comprehensive array of services related to the prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of hearing impairment and its associated communication disorder.
Audiology Services
- Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations
- Pediatric Hearing Evaluations
- Industrial Hearing Screenings
- Hearing Aid Evaluations
- Most Major Hearing Aid Brands
- Earmolds
- Swim Plugs
- Musician/Hunter Noise Protection Plugs
- Hearing Aid Repair (All Make)
- Hearing Aid Batteries
- Assistive Hearing Devices
How We Hear
Sound is collected by the outer ear through the ear canal to the eardrum. Sound waves then cause the eardrum to vibrate. The vibrating eardrum then causes the three
bones of the middle ear(hammer, anvil, and stirrup) to vibrate and conduct the sound through the middle ear to the inner ear. Sound is now changed to an electrical impulse to stimulate nerve endings in the inner ear. The electrical impulse will then travel along the auditory nerve to the brain.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
- Turning up the television
- Asking others to repeat themselves
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Hard time understanding in background noise
- Hear conversation, but not able to understand
- Saying “HUH” frequently
- Avoid social gatherings
- Ringing (tinnitus) in your ear
Audiologist Bio
Brenda Fields Cross, Au.D.,FAAA joined Quail Creek Ear Nose and Throat Center in February 2010 from Abilene, TX. She received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2007 from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. It was at West Texas Rehab Center in Abilene that Brenda began her career as an audiologist and grew to love caring for her patients ranging from small children to the elderly. Now, at Quail Creek Ear, Nose & Throat Center, Brenda is able to perform a range of services from basic hearing screenings to hearing aid services to diagnosing and treating balance disorders. Brenda grew up on her family’s farm in Groom, Texas where her family still resides. She and her husband, Stephen married in November 2007 and welcomed their son, Adam in December 2008. Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, reading and shopping.
Audiologist Certifications/Affiliations
- Texas state license for Audiology
- Certificate of Clinical Competence through American Speech - Language - Hearing Association
- Member of American Academy of Audiology