Hearing loss is not uncommon, affecting approximately 48 million Americans, but the average person still takes about four years to see a hearing care professional after noticing signs of hearing difficulty. Treating hearing loss can have many positive health outcomes, including increased social engagement, improved communication, and a lower risk of depression, falls, and more. Choosing the right professional for your needs is an important step toward healthy hearing.
An audiologist (Doctor of Audiology) is a healthcare professional who diagnoses, manages, and treats hearing, balance, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) disorders in people of all ages, providing services like hearing tests, fitting hearing aids (including taking ear mold impressions, repairing, and troubleshooting hearing aids), managing balance issues, and offering hearing loss and prevention strategies and counseling for improved quality of life. Audiologists work with various other providers to offer comprehensive, non-surgical care for auditory and vestibular (balance) problems.
An audiologist has earned a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in audiology (Au.D.), passed a board examination, and maintains state licensure, typically through a state licensing exam and completion of continuing education courses.
Learn more about the practice of audiology through these professional organizations:
A hearing aid specialist is a healthcare professional trained to conduct hearing tests, identify common types of hearing loss, and dispense and adjust hearing aids. As part of the hearing aid fitting process, hearing aid specialists take ear mold impressions, repair and troubleshoot hearing aids, and perform other services as provided under their state law and license.
Hearing aid specialists (sometimes referred to as hearing aid dispensers) are state-licensed professionals who, depending on state requirements, must pass written and practice exams and complete continuing education hours, as required.
Learn more about hearing aid specialists through the following organization:
An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician, also known as an otolaryngologist, specializes in all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance issues. As physicians, ENTs can diagnose and treat acute and chronic ear-related conditions (e.g., ear infections, perforated eardrums, ), neurological problems, and surgery for ear tumor removal and hearing implant candidates.
ENTs must complete a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and five to eight years of post-graduate training.
Learn more about ENT physicians through the following organization:
These professionals work together to deliver comprehensive care. The right starting point depends on your specific hearing health needs.
Consider making hearing screenings a part of your annual wellness visits. To get started and learn more about hearing health, hearing care professionals, and hearing technology, visit hearing.org.
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