If you’re looking for a patient centered approach to treat your hearing loss, you need to seek care from doctors of hearing healthcare. But what happens when you need to see a specialist? Do you really need to see a doctor of hearing healthcare or should you see an ENT?
What Is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing impairments. Doctors of hearing have acquired years of expertise and know a lot about hearing care needs and can offer you the care you need to make a difference and improve you quality of life. Audiologists use a variety of tests to assess hearing loss, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and impedance testing. This testing can determine how much hearing loss you have, as well as the best solutions to help you hear better. They also provide counseling and recommendations for dealing with hearing loss.
What does an audiologist do? Audiology and hearing aid experts
Audiologists provide a variety of services related to hearing loss, including:
– Identifying the type and cause of hearing loss
– Determining the best course of treatment
– Fitting and dispensing hearing aids
– Providing counseling on how to manage hearing loss
– Recommending assistive listening devices
– Offering aural rehabilitation
If you think you may need to see a hearing professional, consider making an appointment with your regular doctor first. He or she can provide a referral to a specialist, which may be important for insurance coverage. If you do need to see an audiologist, your doctor may have recommendations about who you should see in your area for hearing loss. Hearing doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness or imbalance.
If you go to a hearing aid clinic, you may be seen by hearing doctors or a hearing instrument specialist. In the next section we’ll explain the difference between hearing doctors and hearing instrument specialist.
Audiologist or Hearing Aid Specialist?
You might be wondering when to see an audiologist versus a hearing aid specialist. Let’s talk about the difference between hearing doctors and other hearing professionals, such as hearing instrument specialists.
A hearing instrument specialist has training in how to perform hearing tests and dispense hearing aids. These hearing care professionals may work in hearing aid clinics or hearing aid centers. An audiologist is a hearing professional with a Master’s degree or doctoral degree. Audiologists have extensive training in hearing healthcare and ear disorders and may work in medical or surgical care centers to assist in the medical or surgical care team in treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists can dispense hearing aids they also help by diagnosing and treating hearing loss, programming cochlear implants, and diagnosing or treating balance issues. It is important to note that an audiologist is not a medical doctor.
When is it time to see an audiologist?
If you’re over the age of 50 and have not had a hearing test, it’s time to think about scheduling one. Understanding your hearing is an important piece to your overall health. An audiologist will provide helpful assistance and be able to review your test results with you.
Here are a few other symptoms that might indicate it’s time to call a professional.
1. You’re having trouble hearing people talk, especially in noisy places.
If you’re finding it difficult to follow conversations, or if you often ask people to repeat themselves, it could be a sign that you have a hearing loss. In some cases, hearing loss can be gradual and subtle, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your ability to hear.
2. You’re experiencing buzzing or ringing in your ears.
If you’re hearing sounds that aren’t actually there (a condition known as tinnitus), it could be a sign of an underlying problem with your auditory system. Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things,
3. You find yourself saying “what” more often than you’d like.
We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a conversation and you suddenly realize you have no idea what the other person just said. Or worse, you think you know what they said but you’re not entirely sure. If this happens on a regular basis, it might be time to give your hearing healthcare provider a call.
4. You’re starting to feel left out of conversations.
Do you find yourself in social situations where you can’t follow the conversation because it’s too fast-paced or people are talking over each other? If you’re feeling left out of conversations more often than not, schedule an appointment with your doctor of hearing healthcare. They’ll be able to help you determine if there’s anything that can be done to improve your hearing so you can participate in conversations fully and without feeling left out.
5. You’re having trouble hearing high-pitched sounds.
If you notice that you’re having difficulty hearing sounds like “s” and “t,” it could be an indication that you have high-frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is common as we age, so if you think this might be the case, make an appointment with your audiologist sooner rather than later.
How to find the right technology for your needs
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor of hearing healthcare. But how do you know which type of specialist is right for you? And what kind of technology should you be looking for? Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the right provider and technology:
1. Not all hearing aids are created equal.
There are a lot of different types and styles of hearing aids on the market, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that’s right for you. If you’re not sure where to start, your doctor of hearing healthcare can help you narrow down your options based on your specific needs.
2. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
What works for one person might not work for another, so it’s important to find a hearing aid that’s been customized to fit your unique hearing loss. Your hearing healthcare provider will be able to help you find the right device based on the severity of your hearing loss, as well as your lifestyle and budget.
3. Technology has come a long way.
If you’re worried about wearing a “big, bulky” hearing aid, don’t be! Today’s hearing aids are smaller and more discreet than ever before, and many come equipped with features like Bluetooth connectivity and noise-cancellation. If you have a hearing aid that is older than 5 years, it’s probably time to consider some new technology.
4. Even the best hearing aids will need to be adjusted properly for optimal benefit.
Here’s an analogy: think of going to a concert where an expert pianist is playing. The piano may be of the greatest quality, but it won’t be able to play a beautiful melody without the right pianist. The same goes for hearing aids. Even the best hearing aid won’t be able to provide optimal benefit if it’s not adjusted and programmed properly for your specific needs. You need an audiologist to adjust your hearing aids using Real-Ear Measurement (REM). You want someone who is extremely knowledgeable to give you the right treatment plan to help you hear your best.
5. Maintenance is key.
Like any other type of technology, hearing aids require regular maintenance and care in order to function their best. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by your audiologist, and make sure to schedule regular appointments for cleanings and check-ups.
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor of hearing healthcare. They’ll be able to help you find the right technology and provide you with the care you need to keep you hearing your best.
How does the process work?
You’ll want to start by finding a clinic in your area. Contact them to set up an appointment for a hearing test and potentially another appointment to go over hearing aid options or hearing solutions that can work best for you.
Remember going into this appointment that it can be a lot of information. Better hearing is important to your overall quality of life.
Conclusion:
If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, it’s probably time to schedule an appointment with your doctor of hearing healthcare. They’ll be able to give you a thorough evaluation and determine if there’s anything that can be done to improve your hearing. In the meantime, try to reduce background noise as much as possible and advocate for yourself when you don’t understand something. And most importantly, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it!
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