Are You Experiencing Hearing Loss or Changes in Your Hearing?
Hearing loss is not an issue to be taken lightly. If you’re wondering when to see an audiologist, the time is now. The definition of an audiologist is a healthcare professional who assists patients with hearing-related disorders. It’s best to see an audiologist as soon as you detect signs of hearing loss.
Southwestern Hearing Centers is home to licensed audiologists who want to see their patients experience better hearing. If you need to see an audiologist, it’s best to see one immediately. Hearing loss mandates a trip to the audiologist or ENT.
Should You See an Audiologist or ENT Specialist?
When you experience hearing loss, you may wonder what to do next. There are two kinds of doctors who can assist with hearing-related disorders – audiologists and ENTs.
So, what’s the difference between an audiologist vs. an ENT? The definition of an audiologist is a healthcare professional who takes care of patients suffering with hearing loss. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, treat, and monitor auditory system disorders, and they prescribe hearing aids to patients while teaching them coping skills for dealing with hearing loss.
An ENT is an ear, nose, and throat specialist. ENT doctors specialize in treating and monitoring conditions that affect these three areas of the body. The technical name for an ENT is an otolaryngologist. Patients seek treatment from ENT doctors for diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and base of the skull. ENTs also surgically manage cancers and tumors of the head and neck.
If you’re trying to decide between seeing an audiologist or ENT specialist, there are some key similarities and differences you should know. The similarities between an audiologist and ENT involve their treatment of hearing-related disorders, but there are many differences between these kinds of doctors as well.
While audiologists only deal with the ears, an ENT doctor will treat patients for conditions of the ears, nose and throat. Audiologists typically focus on hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues related to being hard of hearing. ENT doctors generally don’t treat hearing loss, but audiologists and ENTs are connected in their knowledge of ear conditions.
If you have been experiencing difficulty hearing clearly, you would first visit an audiologist. After conducting a hearing test, an audiologist will look to see the presence of a medical condition within your ears. If the audiologist detects anything abnormal, you are referred to an ENT for further examination. On the other hand, if you are experiencing hearing loss caused pain and swelling in your ears, you would want to visit an ENT or medical doctor immediately for treatment. If the ENT doctor determines that you don’t have a disease or medical condition of the ears (such as an ear infection), you are referred to an audiologist for the treatment of non-disease-related hearing loss.
Deciding when to see an audiologist or ENT specialist can be overwhelming but rest assured that Southwestern Hearing Centers will refer you to the correct doctor for your individualized hearing loss treatment. Southwestern Hearing Centers is here to help you. If you’re looking to see a hearing expert, we’re home to licensed audiologists who want to see you experience better hearing. It’s best to see an audiologist or ENT as soon as you begin to experience hearing problems.
Reasons to See an Audiologist
There are many reasons to see an audiologist. The definition of an audiologist is a healthcare professional who is trained to evaluate hearing-related disorders. Making an appointment with your audiologist is the best way to evaluate your hearing.
If you have tinnitus, which is a persistent ringing in the ears, you should see an audiologist immediately. Tinnitus is the consequence of hearing loss, but audiologists can help alleviate the sounds with a hearing aid.
If you have excessive amounts of ear wax in your ear canal, you should also promptly see an audiologist. If you regularly wear a hearing aid or earbuds, you are more at-risk for developing high levels of ear wax. Eventually, ear wax can build up to the point of blocking sound from entering into the ear canal, which affects hearing. Audiologists offer a number of products to dissolve ear wax buildup, allowing it to drain naturally.
The quality of your hearing changes with age. If you think you could use a hearing checkup, you’re probably right. Regular checkups with an audiologist are essential for ensuring that you are on the correct treatment plan.
If you experience a sudden loss in hearing, it can be attributed to a variety of situations, including earwax buildup, perforation of the eardrum, damage to the ear canal, or damage to the brain from a traumatic injury. In these situations, visiting an audiologist is vital. Hearing aids are recommended for children experiencing hearing loss. Taking your children to a trained audiologist will help them improve their social development and ability to hear with clarity.
If you find yourself avoiding social interactions, you may be hard of hearing. People with hearing loss can suffer with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which gives them the desire to withdraw from social situations. Being unable to hear clearly is an unpleasant experience. Audiologists will be able to help you select a hearing aid that will make it much easier to understand what is going on in social situations. This will allow you to experience much less stress. Therefore, if you are experiencing hearing loss, you should see an audiologist as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
If you’re concerned about hearing loss and you’re thinking about when to see an audiologist, call us today for your free hearing test and consultation. Our company is home to licensed audiologists who know how to take care of their patients. It’s best to see an audiologist as soon as you begin to experience hearing problems. Southwestern Hearing Centesr provides hearing aids and treatment for those experiencing hearing loss. Call today!