What to Expect When Visiting an Audiologist

Are you planning on seeing an audiologist soon? If this is your first time visiting an audiologist, you might be unsure as to what to expect. Maybe you are seeing these hearing professionals for hearing loss, balance disorders, hearing aids, or hearing tests.

Whatever the case may be, it’s good to know more about audiologists. In this guide, our Otofonix team put together a helpful guide that will give you a better understanding of the dedication and commitment needed to become a doctor of audiology.

What Does an Audiologist Do?

Audiologists are hearing care professionals who use a wide range of skills to help diagnose and treat problems and disorders related to hearing.

Audiologists often use advanced medical technology to treat problems with the ear. Let’s take a moment to discuss some of the things audiologists specialize in.

• Speech/language (communication)
• Hearing health care
• Auditory disorders
• Hearing loss
• Cochlear implants
• Balance problems
• Tinnitus
• Hearing Aids
• Hearing aid care

What Are the Educational Requirements to Become an Audiologist?

Audiologists are required to earn a doctor of audiology (AuD) degree. Which is a 4 year degree in itself. Most students who get into AuD programs also have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as communication sciences and disorders.

What Kind of Training Do Audiologists Have?

Bachelor’s Degree

After completing high school, students who wish to be audiologists are required to get their bachelor’s degree. The requirements to earn a bachelor’s degree involves four years of study at a college or university.

There is a lot of science behind audiology. Because of this, students typically study majors that are related to various sciences.

Graduate Degree

Audiologists then have to get their graduate degree in audiology. This is where audiologists learn the extensive skills and receive the education necessary to become a professional audiologist.

Getting an audiology graduate degree involves the extensive study of biology and how it affects hearing. Audiologists must also study the treatments associated with hearing disorders. It is a very critical step for audiologists and one that ensures a greater understanding of the human body and hearing.

Doctoral Degree

As of 2012, new audiologists are required to obtain doctoral degrees in audiology. Because of this, new audiologists are the most qualified professional to work in their respective field.

By including the study of the ear’s anatomy and other areas, today’s audiology programs provide some of the most comprehensive education. As such, today’s new audiologists are now true doctors who can help treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders.

Licensing

When an audiologist successfully completes their education, they are required to get their license. Every state requires audiologists to get their license so that they can legally operate in the United States.

All of the necessary schooling and education must be shown as completed in order to acquire their license. Some states also mandate audiologists to attend continuing education. However, this is only attended periodically and not on a continual basis.

After an audiologist officially becomes licensed, they can then legally operate in the United States.

Are you concerned that you may have hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a balance disorder? If so, you should contact one of our trusted audiologists. You can trust that they are the best hearing professional to help diagnose and treat auditory issues due to the extensive schooling and training needed to become an audiologist.

What Is the Difference Between an Audiologist and an ENT?

An audiologist is a hearing health specialist who focuses only on the ears. You would need to visit an audiologist for ear-related care and treatment, as well as to take a hearing test. A doctor of audiology can help you with hearing aids to treat hearing loss.

What’s more, audiologists can assist you with balance problems and ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus. And, as their name implies, audiologists can help you with auditory anomalies and disorders.

An ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) doctor treats patients who are facing diseases or suffering from conditions related to the ears, nose, and throat. ENTs do not typically treat hearing loss. They can, however, help with hearing balance disorders.

If you are struggling with sinus issues, an ENT is the professional you want to see. But that’s not all. ENTs also treat the larnyx, upper pharynx, and oral cavity, as well as your neck and face.

In addition, ENTs are also likely to offer the best solution if you’re having difficulties with speech. These specialists work in treating communication disorders and other speech-related issues. They can provide you with a rehabilitation plan to assist in the treatment of your health care.

A Rewarding Challenge

As you can see, audiologists are required to put in a lot of time and hard work to become professionals in their field. It is a challenging road, but also one that is very rewarding. Audiologists have a passion for hearing health care and want to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from hearing loss and disorders.

Here at Otofonix, we are also passionate about hearing. That’s why we strive to provide affordable hearing aids for those with hearing loss. If you are concerned about your hearing, we invite you to take our free online hearing test.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to assist in any way that we can.