Who Is an Audiologist?
Individuals looking for hearing loss treatment face numerous challenges, including medical terms that may be familiar/ unfamiliar categories of health care professionals that may seem confusing. Like, what is the difference between an Audiologist or a Hearing Doctor?
Ear Doctors, Hearing Doctors, Audiologists, Hearing Aid Specialists — what’s the difference?
The types of doctors you are seeking help for your hearing loss differ in their education and skills.
Audiologists and Doctors of Audiology
An audiologist should be your first port of call if you are affected by hearing loss.
It’s a part of an audiologist’s job to determine the cause of your hearing loss.
Hearing loss is often a natural consequence of the ageing process or of a lifestyle that regularly exposes one to noise and medical.
An audiologist is a licensed(RCI Approved – Rehabilitation Council of India) hearing health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children.
You can think of an audiologist primarily as a Hearing Doctor.
As they have completed a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, there are other doctoral specializations within the field (Ph.D, etc).
Following are the services provided:
- Complete Hearing Examination/Audiological Evaluation
- Prescribe the Fitting, adjustment, and maintenance of hearing aids
- Treatment for balance disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Hearing and speech rehabilitation programs
Audiologists possess comprehensive knowledge of the human auditory and vestibular systems and they have extensive training in sound reproduction. Which is critical to the accurate fitting and adjustment of hearing aids.
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Hearing instrument specialists are health care professionals who specialize in recommending and fitting appropriate hearing aid technology.
They are typically up–to–date on the latest technology available in the field.
Which includes assistive listening devices and are experienced in performing and evaluating basic hearing tests.
Otolaryngologist
Otolaryngologists are physicians (M.D.) specialising in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ears, nose, mouth, and throat.
An audiologist, who is more like a hearing doctor, you can think of an otolaryngologist as an ear doctor.
They are well trained in medicine and surgery.
They treat the types of profound hearing loss that require pharmaceutical or surgical treatment, cochlear implant.
These types of hearing loss include loss caused by trauma, infection or benign tumours in the ear.
After completing a course of treatment, recommend patients to an audiologist for the prescription and fitting of digital hearing aids or counselling.
To help re–develop communication and language recognition skills.
No matter what type of doctor you decide to see for your hearing needs.
They should include a comprehensive approach to diagnosing, treating, and reevaluating your hearing.
Partnering with a professional who listens to your needs is critical to the success of your treatment plan.
