What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a licensed professional who diagnoses, treats, and manages those with hearing loss and balance disorders. Audiologists use a variety of testing devices to determine the nature and severity of a hearing impairment(s). Often, audiologists will recommend, dispense, and fit amplification systems such as assistive listening devices and hearing aids. Audiologists often work with other healthcare professionals such as physicians, otologists, otolaryngologists, neurotologists, and speech-language pathologists, etc.
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who is university-trained to provide a comprehensive array of services related to prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing impairment and its associated communicative disorders. An audiologist may also work with assistive listening devices should hearing aids not be a suitable solution.
ENT, Audiologist, hearing aid dispenser – who’s who? Many people are confused regarding what role the Audiologist plays in the realm of hearing healthcare. An Audiologist is a specialist with advanced training and education in the areas of hearing and hearing disorders. Most states require that an Audiologist have a “Master of Science” degree in Audiology, pass a rigorous national test and complete one year of internship under a licensed Audiologist before the Audiologist can be licensed and practice Audiology. Audiologists provide in depth diagnosis of auditory pathology, examine and clean ears, make recommendations and provide non-medical treatment or make referral for medical treatment. Audiologists dispense hearing aids and provide hearing rehabilitation. The ENT is a medical doctor specializing in the areas of ear, nose, throat, head and neck. The hearing aid dispenser (typically found at Miracle Ear, Beltone, Costco and shopping malls) is licensed in hearing aid dispensing only,
An audiologist serves those with and at risk for hearing and vestibular disorders by diagnosing, interpreting, managing and treating conditions as well as counseling and educating about hearing and vestibular disorders. Audiologists also work to prevent, monitor and conserve hearing in those who are at risk for hearing loss. Audiologists work in private practices, hospital clinics, physician offices, nursing and assistive living facilities, public and private schools, Universities, research laboratories, VA hospitals (and other military), industrial sites and more. For further explanation please refer to the American Academy of Audiology site.
