What Does an Audiologist Do?

If you have any questions or concerns about your hearing, then an audiologist can be a great resource. Audiologists are professional providers in the healthcare industry, with a focus on diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and management of hearing issues. These services are available for people of all ages, from newborns to aging adults.

9 Ways an Audiologist Can Help You

How can you tell if you should schedule an appointment with an audiologist? While the most common service offered by an audiologist is helping people with hearing loss and prescribing hearing aids, these medical experts can assist with a range of other services.

Audiologists are highly trained and help with everything from diagnosis to ongoing care. This hands-on process can address some of the most commonly faced audiological problems.

Not only does an audiologist offer the initial services and diagnosis, but they counsel with the patient (and other family members as needed) about the best solutions and treatment options. This process is ongoing, with regular checks and adjustments to ensure optimal results from the recommended treatments.

Here are a few ways that an audiologist can help:

1. Hearing Tests: Your hearing ability can be measured through a professional hearing test. For example, an audiologist uses various tones to determine how the ears are working. On the audiogram, marks are placed when the sound is just barely audible. This graphic representation provides information about possible hearing loss. Then, the audiologist interprets the data to design a custom treatment plan for you.
2. Hearing Products: Technological advances in the industry have given us access to a wide range of products that can be used to protect hearing and help with hearing loss. An audiologist can evaluate your individual needs, then offer recommendations about products suitable for your condition.
3. Hearing Aid Fitting: If you need hearing aids, then it is best to talk to an audiologist instead of buying products online. The audiologist works with you through the whole process to optimize your results. First, a hearing test is done to determine the level of hearing loss you are experiencing. Then, the right hearing aid design is selected. The audiologist programs the hearing aid, and also helps with follow-up appointments to ensure the ongoing performance of your hearing aids.
4. Protection for Your Ears: Don’t wait until you need hearing aids before you protect your ears! Once ears have been damaged by loud noises, there is no going back – this damage is irreversible. An audiologist can offer recommendations about hearing protection that suits your needs. Available options include industrial earplugs, foam earplugs, musician earplugs, over the ear hearing protection, and noise-blocking earmuffs.
5. Balance Issues: If you are experiencing dizziness or balance issues, then an audiologist might be able to help since these problems are often connected to the ears. The function of the inner ear is measured, as well as a full hearing test. Once a diagnosis is identified, then expert recommendations and treatment options will be presented.
6. Ear Cleaning: Ear wax is a normal and healthy part of the ear. The wax works to protect your ear from debris, and the tiny hairs within the ear push out the excess wax as needed. Sometimes, an excess of earwax buildup can interfere with hearing, and also affect dizziness, ear pain, tinnitus, and drainage. It is best to have an audiologist assist with the removal instead of trying a DIY treatment. Sticking something in your ear can damage the eardrum, so don’t use cotton swabs, tweezers, or other tools at home. Professional audiologists offer irrigation or micro-suction to safely remove extra ear wax.
7. Advice about Your Ears: If you need information about your hearing or balance, then an audiologist is the right person to talk to. An audiologist can offer advice about everything from hearing loss to hearing tests, wax build-up, hearing protection, hearing aids, communication challenges, and more.
8. Tinnitus Solutions: Do you get annoyed with the constant ringing noise you hear in your ears? The truth is that tinnitus can be a symptom of an underlying health concern. An audiologist can help by completing a thorough assessment to diagnose possible diseases that could be affecting your ears. Tinnitus can be treated through an audiologist, or you might be referred to another medical professional for an underlying condition. For example, sometimes tinnitus is a symptom of allergies, medication effect, blood pressure, or emotional stress.
9. Hearing Loss Education: Audiologists are proactive in teaching the community about the prevention of hearing loss. Certain lifestyle factors can damage the ears, which is why it is important for people of all ages to learn how to reduce the risk of hearing loss.

As you can see, an audiologist can help with a wide range of products and medical concerns related to your ears, hearing, and balance.

Audiologists at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat

At Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat, we are proud to offer a team of skilled audiologists who can help with your hearing concerns. Our staff works hard to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan, including hearing aids and other products that can help with ear protection and hearing amplification.

Visit our team page to see the doctors and many specialties available in our clinics. Our current audiology staff includes:

• Kimberly Barnett, Hearing Aid Coordinator
• Angie Coleman M.S., CCC-A
• Sherry Niederkorn Au.D.
• Ladan Nozari Au.D., FAAA
• Lynn Reed Au.D, CCC-A

If you would like to talk to someone on our audiology team, then contact our office to book an appointment. We offer audiology services as well as other ENT care and treatments for people of all ages near the Denton and Dallas area.

At Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat, we are committed to maintaining a high level of care for every patient who walks through our doors.

Schedule an exam at one of our convenient offices in the area located in Frisco and Plano, TX. Our online form can be used to request a time. Or call us during regular business hours: (972) 596-4005.