To speak with an Audiologist...
Call: (512) 851-0871
Reconnect through better hearing and celebrate the sound of life.
Who will I see about my ear and hearing problems?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss, it's important to see someone who can diagnose the problem and offer you treatment. You have several options in professional diagnosis and treatment professionals, here is an explanation of your choices.
Audiologist
An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state (in 47 states) to practice audiology.
In the field of audiology, the master's degree has been the accepted "clinical" degree for almost 50 years. However, the profession is undergoing a transition to a doctorate level degree as the entry-level requirement to practice audiology. In a few years, there will be very few colleges and universities offering a master's program in audiology. The Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) is the clinical doctorate degree and is issued exclusively by regionally accredited universities and colleges. There are other doctoral degrees that have been earned and utilized by audiologists to date, such as the Ph.D. (still highly sought today by researchers and academicians), the Sc.D. and the Ed.D.
Audiologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, clinics, universities, rehabilitation facilities, cochlear implant centers, speech and hearing centers, private audiology practices, hearing aid dispensing offices, hearing aid manufacturing facilities, medical centers, as well as otolaryngology (ENT physician) offices. Although the vast majority of hearing problems do not require medical or surgical intervention, audiologists are clinically and academically trained to determine those that do need medical referral. As a licensed healthcare provider, the audiologist appropriately refers patients to physicians when the history, the physical presentation, or the results of the audiometric evaluation (AE) indicate the possibility of a medical or surgical problem. Many audiologists also dispense (sell and service) hearing aids and related assistive listening devices for the telephone, TV and special listening situations.
PHYSICIANS:
Otolaryngologists (also called ear-nose-and-throat, or ENT, doctors) are physicians who have advanced training in disorders of the ear, nose, throat and head and neck. Otologists or neurotologists are physicians who in addition to their ENT requirements continue their specialized training for an additional year or more in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear. Otolaryngologists, neurotologists and otologists are the physicians who typically treat disorders of the ear (or hearing mechanisms) requiring medical or surgical solutions.
HEARING AID SPECIALISTS:
The hearing aid specialist has training in the assessment of patients who specifically seek rehabilitation for hearing loss. The hearing aid specialist is licensed or registered to perform basic hearing tests and can sell and service hearing aids and related products.
