Who is a hearing specialist

They are trained in the interpretation of hearing assessment instrumentation, hearing devices electronics, specifications and programming hearing devices.

The primary difference between an Audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Specialist is that the Audiologist has an advanced degree and is an expert in all aspects of hearing healthcare, including the fitting of hearing devices, while the Hearing Aid Specialist has a high school or two-year degree and has received training and passed their state examination for the dispensing of hearing devices only.

We recommend when choosing a hearing healthcare professional you get the highest standards possible and choose an Audiologist you can trust. Be smart about your decision. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been registered about the provider you are considering. Contact your state to validate whether or not professional licenses are current. Ask friends and families for referrals.

Overwhelmed at which hearing aid to buy? As a starting point, look for these key features, such as Bluetooth. Hearing loss can be a side effect of ototoxic medication and drugs. Find out which drugs can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. It's not uncommon for rare diseases and genetic syndromes to cause hearing loss.

Fortunately, hearing aids and other treatments often help. The mental impact of living with a chronic condition like tinnitus can take its toll. One of the most proven strategies for coping, experts say, is cognitive-behavioral therapy. With so many different titles, credentials and specialties, it can sometimes be hard to determine which type of professional to see for your particular ear or hearing concern.

How do you know when to see an audiologist versus an ENT, for example? What about a hearing instrument specialist? There are experts equipped to address all aspects of your hearing and balance, and we have put together a primer about each of their specific roles so you can find the right professional to meet your needs. An audiologist is a medical professional with a master's degree, clinical doctorate AuD or research-based doctorate PhD in audiology from an accredited university.

They have extensive education and training in diagnostic testing to identify, evaluate and measure hearing loss and other related disorders, including balance disorders and tinnitus. Some audiologists have areas of specialty including pediatrics, balance disorders, cochlear implants, hearing conservation or hearing aids.

If they dispense hearing aids or other assistive devices, they are licensed by the state, and they can find solutions for every patient based on hearing loss , budget, style preference and lifestyle. A person can only have a cochlear implant if an audiologist or another hearing doctor considers them a suitable candidate. People with severe hearing loss may find cochlear implants more beneficial than other hearing devices. Rather than amplifying sound, cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

Learn more about how cochlea implants differ from hearing aids here. There are different types of hearing doctors who diagnose and treat hearing conditions. They attend various training programs, and some are also able to fit and manage hearing aids. People who have a family history of hearing loss and those experiencing hearing loss symptoms or issues with their balance should see a hearing specialist. Hearing doctors may recommend different treatments depending on the severity of the symptoms.

People with a hearing impairment, hearing loss, or deafness will have either a partial or a total inability to hear sound. Some will rely on lip…. Types of hearing doctors and when to see one. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. When to contact a doctor Types of hearing doctors Treatments Summary We include products we think are useful for our readers. When to contact a doctor for hearing loss. Types of hearing doctors. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. What Is an Audiologist?

Hearing care professionals differ in both their education and their skills Individuals looking for hearing loss treatment face a number of challenges, including medical terms that may be unfamiliar and categories of health care professionals that may seem confusing. Audiologists and Doctors of Audiology An audiologist is a licensed hearing health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children.

Audiologists typically offer the following services: Complete hearing exams Fitting, adjustment, and maintenance of hearing aids Treatment for balance disorders and tinnitus ringing in the ears Hearing and speech rehabilitation programs Audiologists possess comprehensive knowledge of the human auditory and vestibular systems, and they have extensive training in sound reproduction, which is critical to the accurate fitting and adjustment of hearing aids.

Hearing Instrument Specialists Hearing instrument specialists HIS or, in some states, licensed hearing aid dispensers are health care professionals who are licensed to perform audiometric testing for the sole purpose of selling and fitting hearing aids. Otolaryngologist Otolaryngologists are physicians M.