Syracuse VA Medical Center

Audiology

Audiology professionals evaluate and treat hearing impairment. This hearing impairment may be caused by injury, repeated exposure to noise hazards, medications, or aging. To evaluate patients for hearing loss, Syracuse VA Medical Center provides diagnostic hearing evaluations. Hearing loss may also be identified using electrophysiological evaluations, including measurement of brainstem evoked potentials and electronystagmography.

For eligible Veterans who have been determined to have a need for hearing aids or other hearing assistive devices, this equipment will be provided at no cost. Repairs and batteries are also covered. Hearing aids are delivered through the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at the medical center. Generally this benefit applies to Veterans with a service connected hearing loss or with any service-connected disability rated at 10 percent or more, though other exceptions may apply.

Evaluation for hearing loss begins with a referral from your VA primary care provider.

Speech pathology professionals evaluate and treat disorders in speech, language, fluency, voice, cognitive communication and swallowing. They also provide speech training for patients who have conditions such as stuttering or those who have had laryngectomy.

For help with difficulty speaking or swallowing, see your primary care provider about a referral to speech pathology.