Artificial Intelligence
74 The Use of AI In Audiology
Meghan Mahar
Introduction
Audiology is a medical field that studies the ear and hearing ability as a whole and is constantly advancing as new technology arises. Hearing loss is defined as a loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear in adults and 30 decibels in children. Around 430 million people are affected by disabling hearing loss and this number is only predicted to increase significantly at a rapid rate. Audiology is centered around the studies of hearing impairment and the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this problem. Artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is one of those technologies
that has been proven to significantly benefit the field as a whole. This is because it can be used to identify hearing problems early on with limited misdiagnosis, it can be used to optimize hearing aid function by adjusting to an individual’s needs, and tools using AI can help make life easier for individuals with hearing loss that is normally difficult for them. Artificial intelligence has shown early signs of having a profound impact on audiology and the lives of those with hearing loss and deafness. AI seems to have the ability to process hearing data and therefore enhance research potential in audiology. This might mean that in the near future, those with hearing loss can experience more effective treatment. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, audiology will continue to have greater intervention advancements, which can change how healthcare is provided permanently.
Connection To STS
Artificial Intelligence advancements in the field of audiology are reflected in society in the way that it has transformed how hearing healthcare is provided to individuals with hearing impairment. Tele-audiology has broken barriers that caused difficulties in receiving hearing healthcare. It made it possible for more individuals to get the help they need and therefore improve their quality of life. Hearing aids have drastically become more advanced from AI technologies in the way that sounds are perceived. AI has also demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosis and overall efficiency in healthcare. Society benefits in the way that individuals with hearing loss can better communicate with others and their environment when hearing technologies continue to develop and become more sophisticated. So it is that the use of AI in audiology benefits healthcare drives social changes, and transforms societal functioning.
AI In Hearing Impairment Diagnosis
Artificial intelligence seems to be most promising in the area of diagnosis of hearing impairment in the field of audiology. AI technologies, such as natural language processing models like ChatGPT and machine learning, ML, are capable of analyzing large amounts of data from audiograms which are hearing tests, noise exposure histories, and genetic information. These technologies can classify audiograms, conduct automated audiometry which are sound-based hear