Who Can Help with Your Hearing Loss?

If you suspect hearing loss, get a hearing test. There are many qualified individuals who perform hearing tests. You can go to a hearing aid dispenser, audiologist, or an otolaryngologist, who is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician. They all provide audiometric evaluations. In order to choose a hearing specialist, it helps to understand the differences among the types of hearing professionals.

Hearing Aid Dispensers

Hearing aid dispensers are rigorously tested and licensed by their State Department of Health Services. Their range of studies includes audiometric evaluation (hearing testing), audiometric interpretation, patient consulting and prescribing appropriate hearing aids, and a complete understanding of how hearing aids function with the physical structures of the human ear anatomy. Their specialty training focuses solely on audiometric evaluations, consultation and hearing aid fitting protocols.

Audiologists

Audiologists have a college degree in audiology. Some audiologists, called dispensing audiologists, sell hearing aids and must also be tested and licensed by their State Department of Health Services. Audiologists have training in human hearing, speech and balance therapies. They study the intricate designs and workings of the entire human ear and the physics of sound and hearing. Audiologists don't perform ear surgery or prescribe treatment for diseases of the ear, but provide evaluation and therapies for treatment of hearing, speech and balance problems. Some ENT's have an audiologist on staff to perform hearing tests.

Choosing Your Hearing Professional

Your family physician may recommend a hearing specialist and tell you if there's a medical condition that is causing your hearing trouble. If you are experiencing age-related or noise-induced hearing loss with no other associated medical conditions, a hearing aid dispenser or dispensing audiologist can help you. If you have other symptoms such as balance or speech issues, or if you have a history of ear conditions or have had ear surgery, it's best to see an ENT first. The ENT may authorize and prescribe their staff audiologist to provide appropriate therapies, medications, treatments, and medical procedures to correct the medical condition.

Call PūrTone's dispensing staff for help with improving your hearing or to obtain a referral to an ENT if you suspect a serious medical condition. Call 1-888-614-HEAR (4327) today.