What is an audiologist?
Audiologists are primary healthcare providers who identify, treat, and manage conditions affecting hearing, balance, and other neurological systems. They treat patients of all genders and ages, from newborns to older adults.
Audiologists conduct hearing tests or audiograms and provide treatment options like hearing aids, assistive devices, telephone and listening devices, aural hearing rehabilitation, bone-anchored hearing aids, and cochlear implants. They also offer preventive care services and educate patients on the adverse effects of noise on hearing.
Are audiologists doctors?
Audiologists aren't conventional doctors or M.D.s. However, they are medical professionals who train rigorously to receive a doctor of audiology (AuD) degree. Some also earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (ScD) degree in hearing and balance sciences.
Audiologists in the United States require a license to practice in all states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. To become a certified audiologist, one must earn a certificate from the American Board of Audiology. Some audiologists may specialize further in a particular field of medicine, such as pediatrics.
Audiologist vs. hearing instrument specialist
The key difference between an audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist is the scope of their expertise. Hearing instrument specialists focus on conducting hearing tests and assessments with the sole purpose of helping patients obtain the finest hearing aids for their lifestyle and level of hearing loss.
On the other hand, audiologists specialize in all aspects of hearing care. They undergo extensive training to help manage a wide range of underlying medical disorders that might impair the hearing and balance systems. Audiologists may also collaborate with ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat) specialists to diagnose and treat complex hearing disorders that require more than just a hearing aid.
Audiologists have the authority to work with a diverse patient group, including newborns, children, adults, older patients, and those with special needs. Hearing instrument specialists, unlike audiologists, can only work with adults. They are not authorized to diagnose hearing loss or other medical conditions and can only conduct tests to program a hearing aid.
Given these limits, patients seeking help for the first time should consult an audiologist to understand if any underlying medical issues could be causing their hearing loss.
What conditions do audiologists treat?
Audiologists can treat all types of hearing disorders and symptoms related to a vestibular disorder. Some of those conditions include:
- Hidden hearing loss or hearing loss that cannot be detected through standard hearing exams even though patients report difficulty hearing, specifically in background noise.
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rapid hearing loss that occurs within 72 hours.
- Loud noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the sensitive structures in the inner ear get damaged by loud sound.
- Tinnitus creates the perception of ringing, buzzing, or whooshing noises in the ears or head.
- Ototoxicity hearing loss is hearing damage after exposure to medications or treatments like chemotherapy that impact the inner ear.
- Auditory Processing Disorders (APDs) are also known as auditory perceptual disorders or central auditory disorders. These are conditions that negatively affect the brain's interpretation of sounds.
When should you see an audiologist?
Newborns are generally screened for hearing within a month of birth and must continue to have hearing tests up to 3 months of age if they do not pass a screening test. Young children at risk for progressive, acquired, or delayed-onset hearing loss must have at least one hearing test by 2-2.5 years of age.
You must see an audiologist near you if you have the following symptoms:
- If you have to ask someone what they have said repeatedly
- If you feel those around you are mumbling or not speaking clearly
- If you need to turn up the volume on devices higher than others would
- If you feel dizzy or lightheaded (vertigo)
- If you hear specific sounds in your ears even when no external noise is present
- If you have frequent pain in your ears
- If hearing loss runs in your family
What to expect at an audiologist appointment?
An audiologist appointment may differ for each individual, depending on their concerns. However, you can expect your audiologist to ask questions about your personal and family medical history at your first appointment. They will also ask you about your symptoms and how often you have been experiencing them.
Your audiologist may also conduct basic screening tests, such as an audiogram, which evaluates your ability to hear sounds and understand words. The test can be performed in a soundproof booth to minimize background noise.
Audiologists may also use an "otoscope," which shines light into the ear to evaluate the eardrum and inner canal. They may also conduct a tympanometry test to assess how the eardrum moves or vibrates. Newborns and young children undergo an initial screening test, after which they are further evaluated based on the results. If the child does not pass the initial screening, a full hearing test may be required.
The results of an audiogram test will reveal the degree of hearing loss and other vital information about your ears. After the examination, your audiologist will determine your treatment plan or refer you to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) provider who can assess the cause of your hearing loss.
How do you prepare for your first audiologist appointment?
Now that you have a broad picture of what an appointment with an audiologist near you would look like, it's time to start preparing for your first consultation. Bear in mind the following essential tips to ensure everything goes smoothly and you achieve the best possible outcomes:
Make detailed notes about your condition: As mentioned earlier, the audiologist will begin the consultation by asking you questions to gain an in-depth understanding of your situation. You can prepare notes about your symptoms, lifestyle, and other relevant information at home. For instance, if you are consulting them for hearing loss, you can prepare notes on the most commonly asked questions:
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- Have you experienced sudden hearing loss or a gradual decline?
- Are there specific situations where you struggle to hear the most, like in a restaurant or a group meeting?
- How does your hearing loss impact your daily communication with others?
- Do you often listen to loud music on earphones or go to loud concerts?
Know your personal and family medical history: Take your medical records with you, including information about your chronic health conditions, medications, and allergies. Also, ensure you know whether your family members have hearing loss or other ear problems.
Write down your queries and concerns: Your audiology appointment is an excellent time to clarify all your doubts regarding your condition, prognosis, treatment options, initial and future costs, and follow-up care. Jot down everything in a notebook or your mobile phone so you remember to ask all critical questions.
Take along a family member/ friend/ caregiver: The first audiology assessment lasts 30-60 minutes. Staying calm and stress-free during this period becomes easier when you have a loved one with you. Plus, if they are well aware of your condition, they can contribute essential details you may miss telling the audiologist. They can also take important notes and, after the appointment, run through what the doctor said.
Terms you might hear at your audiology appointment
During your session, your audiologist could use the following terminology or tests.
- The inner ear contains semicircular canals and the cochlea, which are embedded in the temporal bone.
- The middle ear is the core air-filled cavity behind the eardrum.
- The outer ear refers to the visible section of the ear.
- Hearing screening is a test that determines an individual's level of hearing loss.
- Otoacoustic emission is a test that examines the inner ear's response to sound.
Questions to ask your audiologist
When seeing an audiologist, consider asking the following questions:
- What is my diagnosis?
- What is causing my hearing loss and balance issues?
- How serious is my condition?
- What tests will I need?
- Which treatments would you recommend?
- What strategies can I take to manage my symptoms at home?
Find an audiologist near you in Austin, Texas
If you are experiencing hearing problems, it may be time to see an audiologist. Through a hearing exam, an audiologist can help pinpoint the precise cause and severity of your hearing issues, find an appropriate solution, or even refer you to a specialist if necessary.
You can take the help of Zocdoc to find an audiologist in your area or neighborhood. Booking an online or in-person consultation is easy; it only takes a few minutes, and you don't need to leave your home.
On Zocdoc, users can schedule appointments on the same day, in advance, after 5 pm, or even on the weekends, depending on their chosen provider's availability.
To book an appointment, enter your condition or symptoms, location, insurance carrier, and the date you want to see an audiologist. Browse the list of top-rated audiologists and select one based on time of day, distance, gender, hospital affiliation, wait time, languages known, and whether a provider treats children.
Patients can use their insurance plan to find in-network providers. If your plan is not listed on Zocdoc, upload a picture of your card. We will scan the image and show you the most appropriate plan for you. For any further insurance-related queries, reach out to the Zocdoc patient help center.
Further, you can also view each provider's educational background, including their clinical specialties, certifications, licensures, and awards earned, by clicking on their personalized profiles. Zocdoc also displays verified patient reviews and ratings. Only those patients who have seen a provider can have their testimonials listed.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Hearing loss and screening statistics for Texas
According to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs nearly 1,010 audiologists (as of May 2022). This figure is significantly higher than that of neighboring states, including Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
Data collated through the 2020 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their finding reported that of the total 365,315 births in the state of Texas in 2020, nearly 359,770 or 98.5% had a hearing screening. In Texas, 353,936 infants passed the hearing screening, and an estimated 5,834 did not. Of the two-stage screening tests conducted, nearly 33 infants passed the initial and outpatient screening (a hearing test performed after an infant gets discharged from a birthing facility).
Approximately 2,191 infants did not pass the initial screening test and had to undergo further diagnostic evaluation. Nearly 5,374 Texas infants under a month old did not pass the hearing test. Among the infants who did not pass the hearing screening, about 404, or 6.9%, had permanent hearing loss.
Of the Texas infants with permanent hearing loss, nearly 110 were in early intervention (E.I.) services. These services help young children with hearing loss learn language and other essential skills. Research suggests that early intervention services can significantly improve a child's development. The CDC recommends that babies diagnosed with hearing loss should enroll in intervention services no later than six months of age.
Sources
American Academy of Audiology[1]
American Academy of Audiology[2]
American Academy of Audiology[3]
American Academy of Audiology[4]
American Academy of Audiology[5]
American Academy of Audiology[6]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
WebMD
Nemours Kids Health[1]
Nemours Kids Health[2]
MedlinePlus
ENT Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[5]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[7]
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Cleveland Clinic
SightMD
