What does an audiologist do?
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who helps diagnose, assess, and manage hearing, balance, and other neural system disorders. They work with patients ranging from newborns to the elderly to evaluate and treat issues that affect hearing or balance.
Audiologists may work in their own private practice, within a doctor’s office, or in a hospital. They are also employed at rehabilitation centers and other long-term skilled nursing facilities. Audiologists can conduct hearing tests for schools, colleges, and universities. The cost of your audiologist visit may depend on where they work.
When should I see an audiologist?
You should see an audiologist if you’re experiencing hearing problems or issues with your balance. Reasons to see an audiologist include:
- Difficulty understanding speech when there is background noise
- Trouble following conversations when people have higher-pitched voices
- Turning the volume up to hear the television or while listening to music more than others would like
- Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
- Ringing in one or both ears when no other sounds are present
- Excessive ear wax
- Any ear pain or discomfort
- More periods of dizziness or loss of balance than usual
What does an audiologist test for?
Audiologists test for many problems related to hearing and balance. They use a number of tests to evaluate and treat their patient’s condition. An audiologist may use pure-tone testing to determine if your hearing falls within a normal range. They may also measure eardrum movement and pressure variation using tympanometry.
What happens at your first audiology appointment?
During your first audiology appointment, your medical history is taken. Then an audiologist evaluates your hearing and balance using various tests. For hearing problems, an audiologist examines the outer portion of the ear for signs of trauma, infection, or a buildup of earwax before running tests.
An audiologist performs a detailed balance assessment for patients with balance or dizziness-related problems. It’s designed to find the location and cause of the symptoms and determine if there are any changes in the balance function of the body.
If your audiologist believes your condition is medically treatable, they will refer you to an appropriate physician for care.
Are audiologists referred to as doctors?
No, audiologists are not referred to as doctors but as healthcare professionals. Audiologists do not attend medical school. Instead, their training involves completing a Master’s Degree in audiology and a year-long fellowship.
They must also pass an exam to become certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and a state licensing exam. Audiologists must also complete continuing education requirements to renew their license. While it is not required, some audiologists complete a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD).
Can audiologists diagnose?
Yes, audiologists can diagnose and treat a number of conditions. This includes hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems, and ringing of the ears, known as tinnitus. They perform hearing screenings and tests to aid in the prevention of hearing loss. They also help their patients select and fit hearing aids and other assistive devices.
