Current Trends in Audiological Practices and Implications for Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper examines the current trends in audiological practices in Nigeria, as it makes case for compulsory use of electro- physiological tests in determining the hearing potentials of children in the country, as against the use of behavioural audiometric strategy which requires the active participation of the patients. Varieties of electro- physiological tests such as Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR), Oto- Acoustic Emission, and modern advances such as cochlear implants and auditory brainstem implants for Neuro- Fibromatosis type 2 (NF2) as practiced in developed countries were explained. These current trends in audiological practices should serve as a catalyst to stimulate the developing countries in managing hearing and speech disorders.

Keywords: Audiological practices, Developing countries, Audiological investigations, Audiological  Management