Who is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a healthcare practitioner trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat disorders related to hearing loss and balance. They treat people of all ages, right from infants to older adults. They will examine your condition and determine if it is a treatable medical issue and, if so, will refer you to the appropriate specialist for treatment. Otherwise, they will provide audiological care and treatment to help you manage the condition. The treatment plan may include hearing aids, balance therapy, and aural rehabilitation.Â
An audiologist can fit hearing devices and guide on preventative measures. Some may be involved in research on conditions such as tinnitus, balance system dysfunction, and hearing loss. Audiologists work in hospitals, private practices, ENT offices, schools, rehabilitation centers, and clinics.Â
Requirements to becoming an audiologist
Audiologists need to obtain a Doctor of Audiology (AuD), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or Doctor of Science (ScD) degree. The ScD must be in the hearing and balance sciences. In 2007, an AuD became the entry-level degree for practicing audiology in a clinical setting and was considered the professional designator for a doctorate in this field. It is not mandatory for audiologists with a master's degree in Audiology before 2007 to have a doctorate.Â
Furthermore, audiologists must complete clinical placement of nine to twelve months. An audiologist needs to pursue continued education to renew their license. Being abreast of hearing and balance healthcare developments will also help them provide the best care to patients. Some audiologists get certified in pediatric audiology from the American Board of Audiology. The Academy of Doctors of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) are professional organizations associated with audiology.Â
What is the difference between an ear specialist, an ENT, and an audiologist?
They are all healthcare providers who specialize in assisting individuals with hearing problems, but they each play a distinct role.
Ear doctors, also known as otologists, often treat severe or profound hearing loss caused by disease, accidents, or congenital disabilities. Otologists may treat hearing loss with surgery or medicines.
ENTs, also known as otolaryngologists, diagnose and treat problems with people's ears, noses, and throats. ENTs may refer to audiologists for hearing examinations.
Audiologists are hearing healthcare experts who perform hearing loss evaluations, diagnose hearing loss, and prescribe hearing aids and other hearing assistive equipment. They cannot perform surgeries or prescribe medications.
Reasons to consult an audiologist
Identifying signs of hearing loss or problems with your balance may be challenging. Some conditions for which you can consult an audiologist include:Â
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Difficulty in hearing in a noisy environment, such as when watching TV or when in crowded places
- Frequently asking people to repeat what they say
- Feeling as if people around you are not speaking clearly or talking in a low voice
- Turning up the volume on various gadgets
- Ringing in one or both ears when there is no external sound
A note of caution – if you are experiencing dizziness or light-headedness, it might be a good idea to consult a medical doctor first to rule out conditions such as cardiac issues, tumors, and nerve problems. If chest pains, high fever, blurred vision, slurred speech, or head injury accompany your balance problem or dizziness, it is best to head to an emergency room first.
What to expect at an appointment?
If your appointment with the audiologist is for suspected hearing loss, they will first ask for details about your personal and family medical history. The audiologist will thoroughly examine your ear to check for wax buildup, infection, and trauma. They may conduct audiological tests to assess auditory function and speech recognition. The test results will help them arrive at a diagnosis.Â
When dizziness or balance issues are your reasons for seeing an audiologist, they will conduct a detailed balance evaluation. The evaluation will likely involve determining changes in balance function, the cause of symptoms, and the relationship between functional balance and vision, your inner ear, and other sensory systems.
What conditions can audiologists treat?
The field of audiology covers a broad spectrum of diseases. The following are some of the most common ailments that an audiologist can help with:
- Hearing Impairment: The severity of this may differ based on the ear condition(s) encountered. The use of audiometers helps the audiologist to determine the exact level of a person's hearing impairment. They will determine the cause of your hearing loss and then provide a suitable solution or treatment.
- Amplification: The most common technique for hearing loss is using a hearing aid, which amplifies the sounds surrounding a person. Various types of assistive listening devices are available in the market, and the audiologist can help you find the best solution to the problem.
- Tinnitus: This condition is characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears. The major symptom is a low-intensity buzzing or whistling sound throughout the day. It can be a very unsettling and unpleasant condition. Various factors can cause tinnitus, and an audiologist can help minimize its effects.
- Hyperacusis and Misophonia: Hyperacusis refers to enhanced sensitivity to daily sounds in the usual environment. Misophonia, on the other hand, refers to a selective sensitivity to little repeating noises. The symptoms are similar to having normal sounds amplified, similar to a television with the volume turned up too high.
Choosing an experienced audiologist near you in Cleveland, Ohio
When symptoms of hearing loss or balance disorders go untreated, they can cause long-term and even permanent damage. Moreover, finding an audiologist can be daunting, especially when looking online. No worries! Zocdoc can make this process simple!
Create a free account on the Zocdoc platform. You can then login and search for an audiologist near your home. We offer convenient filters for gender, location, and insurance coverage to refine your search with just a few clicks. Then, sit back and relax while our advanced algorithm combs an extensive database of qualified healthcare professionals.
Once you have a list of possible matches, click on the individual profiles for comprehensive details on each audiologist near you. Find out all about their educational qualifications, languages spoken, and certifications. You can also access our verified patient ratings and reviews to make an informed choice. We update these reviews regularly to ensure you have all the latest information.
After vetting the audiologist to satisfaction, you can schedule a virtual appointment before an in-person session. You might also find audiologists near you available on weekends and outside regular business hours.Â
All bookings made on Zocdoc are free, simple, and secure.
Statistics on hearing loss in Ohio and the U.S.
Hearing loss can adversely impact all aspects of your life, i.e., physical, emotional, and mental health, family relationships, social skills, and school or workplace performance. While some factors causing loss of hearing are controllable, others are not.  Â
Statistics from the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) for 2018 indicate that around 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. It further states that about 12.5% of children aged 6–19 have hearing loss caused by loud music, primarily through earbuds at high volumes.Â
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019), the number of babies with hearing loss was 1.7 per 1,000 babies screened. This data pertains only to babies documented as being screened. It does not include babies with hearing loss identified but not reported to any state or territorial agency.Â
Further information shows that around 6% of adults in Ohio have a select functional disability related to hearing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) shows that approximately 13,240 audiologists are employed nationwide. Of these, about 690 work in Ohio, putting it in third place among the states with the highest employment levels of audiologists.
Sources
WebMD
American Academy of Audiology
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Hearing Loss Association of America
U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics
News-Medical.Net
Cleveland Clinic
