Audiology Expert Witnesses
Proven expertise in injury cases involving hearing and balance
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in identifying, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and/or treat hearing or balance problems. They dispense hearing aids, recommend and map cochlear implants, and refer patients with hearing loss to other medical specialists if necessary.
Audiologists hold doctoral degrees in audiology (AuD) rather than an MD or DO. Audiologists are licensed at the state level and may hold professional certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Board of Audiology (ABA).
Audiology medical malpractice matters
Because audiologists largely provide non-invasive services, malpractice lawsuits are uncommon, but they do occur. Some examples of audiology malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis of hearing loss.
- Inadequate hearing aid fitting, causing further hearing damage.
- Failure to obtain informed consent.
- Negligent management of balance disorders, causing falls or other injuries.
- Failure to appropriately refer a patient to another specialist (such as an ENT doctor) to manage a dangerous condition.
Our network includes highly qualified audiologists who can speak to the relevant standards of care and provide compelling testimony in cases involving audiology malpractice.
The role of an audiologist in an injury case
Many personal injury and workers’ compensation matters involve hearing loss. For example, if a person suffers a traumatic brain injury in a car accident and experiences hearing loss or balance disorders as a result, an audiologist can evaluate the individual's hearing and balance functions and provide an opinion on the extent of the injury and its impact on the person's quality of life.
Because hearing loss often occurs over time and has numerous causes, including noise exposure, ear injury, and ototoxins (poisons that affect the ear), legal cases involving hearing loss are often contentious. An experienced and objective expert witness who can identify the cause of the hearing loss plays an invaluable role in such cases.
Find the audiology expert witness you need
The right audiology expert witness can make a dramatic difference if you’re dealing with an injury or malpractice case involving hearing loss. Our team is available to discuss your potential case and find the right expert for your needs. Contact us online for a free case summary review.