What is an audiologist? What does an audiologist do?

What is an audiologist and what do they do?

How can a hearing aid audiologist help your hearing?

What an audiologist is

An audiologist is a healthcare professional specialising in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders. They conduct hearing tests, fit and adjust hearing aids, provide rehabilitation for hearing loss, and offer preventive care. Audiologists work with patients of all ages to improve their auditory health and quality of life.

The audiology industry has come a long way

Hearing loss awareness and information is becoming more accessible to everyone and slowly more people are talking about their hearing loss openly.  Although there is still a long way to go - it is a positive step in the right direction. 

We are beginning to see a gradual increase in available education about the benefits of hearing aids, other forms of treatment and just how important an early diagnosis is for your hearing's future and the quality of life you lead. 

But, what about the audiologist themselves?  Here we answer some of the common misconceptions about our industry and frequently asked questions about the audiologist profession.

Audiologist meaning

An audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional who manages, focuses and finds a solution to problems in the auditory system of a patient.  Audiologists are professionally trained to diagnose, treat and monitor all levels of hearing loss, tinnitus symptoms and balance issues (vestibular).

The primary responsibility of an audiologist is to evaluate and diagnose hearing and balance disorders. They utilise a range of diagnostic tests and tools to assess the functioning of the auditory system and determine the nature and extent of a patient's hearing loss or vestibular disorder. 

What an audiologist does - What is a typical day for an audiologist?

You might be wondering what is a typical day like for an audiologist and what is being an audiologist like.  An audiologist's main role is to test hearing capability (audiogram), advise the most beneficial treatment for hearing loss, dispense hearing aids and fit hearing aids. 

They also organise and manage cochlear implants and provide rehabilitation counselling for their patients and families.  This could be an education on hearing loss, how to manage tinnitus symptoms, lip-reading or how to better communicate as a family and individual in various hearing situations and social gatherings.

Where do audiologists work?

Audiologists work in various practice settings, for instance, they provide their hearing healthcare services in their private clinics, and in hospitals and Hearing Aid UK also offers hearing care services and hearing tests in your own home for no extra fee. 

They generally work alongside and collaborate with speech therapists and pathologists, hearing coaches, ENT clinics and otolaryngologists.

Audiologist vs ENT / otolaryngologist specialist

What is the difference between an audiologist and an otolaryngologist?  This could also be referred to as the difference between an audiologist and ENT.  The Ear, Nose and Throat specialists are medical doctors who have completed a degree at a medical school and have specialised in the otolaryngology field.  

They offer a variety of services, procedures, and treatments and can diagnose problems or disorders of the ear, nose, throat and even the lower areas of the skull.  Audiologists work within an ENT clinic or own private practice providing hearing tests, dispensing hearing aids and offering counselling services.

What is an Audiologist?

How to become an audiologist

Is an audiologist a doctor?

So, are audiologists doctors?  The simple answer here is no - audiologists are not medical doctors and they don't have to have a doctorate to practice.  An audiologist is a licensed healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing, treating and administering to those with hearing loss, tinnitus and other types of hearing problems. 

What are an audiologist's education requirements?

What is required to become an audiologist?  They have to, at a minimum, have a master's degree in their field and then some go on to accomplish a doctorate, where they will then be a doctor of audiology.

The doctoral program typically includes coursework in anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, diagnostic evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation techniques, hearing aid technology, research methods, and professional ethics.

Aspiring audiologists must complete a supervised clinical externship to gain hands-on experience in assessing and managing patients with hearing and balance disorders. After completing their doctoral degree, audiologists must obtain state licensure or certification to practice independently.

What is a certified audiologist?

Since 2010 the qualification required to become a hearing aid dispenser is a foundation degree in audiology so you may see the letters Fd Sc Aud after the name. In any case, the hearing aid dispenser needs to be registered with the HCPC and the registration details can be found on the HCPC website.  Our founder and owner, Paul Harrison was on the BSHAA Council between 2015-2020.

Are audiologists regulated?

Regulation within audiology has been confusing to consumers for some time.  What is important to know is that those who assess, fit, programme and dispense hearing aids should be registered by the Health Care and Professionals Council (HCPC).  

All of our audiologists at Hearing Aid UK are qualified & registered with the HCPC.  Hearing Aid Dispensers are regulated by the HCPC and set up to protect the public. Their job is to keep a register of health and care professionals who meet their standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health.

We are also a member of the  British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA) which is the professional body that represents and promotes the interests of the independent hearing aid profession across the UK.  The Irish equivalent of this is ISHAA.

Audiologist training 

Here are some topics of study audiologists cover during their education and training:

• Epidemiology
• Physics of sound
• Anatomy and physiology of hearing
• Nervous system diseases
• Ear audiological assessment
• Pediatric Audiology
• Prevention, treatments and rehabilitation of hearing loss
• Counselling
• Lip-reading
• Tinnitus therapy and management
• Dispensing and fitting digital hearing aids

What is an Audiologist?

7 things an audiologist can do for you

1.  Audiologists can manage tinnitus relief

When suffering from tinnitus symptoms, there are plenty of options available to you, that an audiologist can discuss.  A complete audiological assessment would be arranged to discover the severity and to strike off any diseases which may be present. 

Other issues to factor in could be exposure to noise, blood pressure, allergies or stress.  You might then be referred for treatment or the audiologist will advise you on the best course of action to relieve your symptoms.  You might even need sound therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy.

2.  Audiologists can advise and support you

Living with any form of hearing loss or balance issue can be difficult, at times debilitating and let us not forget to mention – alter your quality of life.  Here is where an audiologist comes in.  They are the best medical professionals to advise and steer you in the right direction with your hearing health. 

Offering services that give you the best solutions for various circumstances and situations like; tinnitus, hearing protection, hearing loss, wax build-up, balance worries, hearing aids and tests.

 3.  Audiologists can discuss products available

There are so many innovative products out there for tinnitus, hearing protection and hearing loss, which you can discuss with an audiologist.  They will relay all the options that would benefit you and your hearing healthcare the most. 

We are all unique and respond to treatment, protection and products differently.  Deciding on the best solutions may take some time, but with the help of an audiologist, you will receive unbiased advice, built from trust, confidence and communication.

 4.  Audiologists can fit hearing aids

An audiologist will advise and fit your hearing aids.  These are the best solution for you and your hearing loss.  Using your test results – the audiologist will tailor your hearing aid settings to give you the best possible hearing experience.  Follow-up appointments will be made so that your hearing health is maintained and monitored.  Ensuring that your hearing aids are continually providing optimum support.

 5.  Audiologists can remove ear wax

If you have wax build-up in your ear, an audiologist can professionally and carefully remove this problem.  There are two methods currently used – micro-suction and irrigation.  Symptoms that can surface if the wax build-up is not treated could be tinnitus, infections, pain, dizziness or restricted hearing, so it is always best to urgently seek medical help.

 6.  Audiologists can perform a hearing test

Using an audiogram, an audiologist can carry out a hearing test.  It shows the test results in graph form.  Each ear will be introduced to different tones and frequencies.  The audiologist will mark when these tones become audible to you – the ‘threshold’.  Once the test is complete, there will be a summary of how your hearing copes with different sounds and how sensitive each ear is. 

If the findings highlight a hearing loss, the audiologist will explain what type of loss you have developed and whether it can be treated.  In most cases, wearing hearing aids can help you improve your quality of hearing and life.  All these options will be discussed and explained to you.

7.  Audiologists can help with balance

If dizziness and balance become a problem, you must get medical help as soon as you can.  An audiologist can offer various balance tests to determine cause, severity and diagnosis.  Your eye movements may also be tested – due to them often highlighting the true functionality of your ears. 

Sometimes a hearing test is required, as inner-ear problems generally stem from issues with the hearing system.  Expert advice will follow your consultation, as to how your balance can be reinstated.

Conclusion

An audiologist is a specialised healthcare professional dedicated to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. They provide a wide range of services, including diagnostic testing, treatment planning, hearing aid fitting and programming, counselling, and hearing conservation.

Through their expertise, audiologists help individuals of all ages overcome the challenges associated with hearing loss or vestibular disorders, enabling them to improve their communication abilities and enhance their overall quality of life.

5 Quick reasons why you should get your hearing checked:

• You often ask people to repeat themselves
• You have a consistent ringing in your ears
• You are unable to hold a conversation in challenging listening environments
• You often turn up the volume on the TV or other audio devices
• You're missing sounds you shouldn't be