Have you ever felt like this? When you talk to your family, you feel like you can't hear what they're saying clearly. You have to turn the TV up too loud. Or you feel like your head is spinning when you stand up, or you feel like things are spinning around you. Living with these kinds of problems is very annoying. But many people think that these are normal things and forget about them. There is actually a specialist who can help with these kinds of problems. That's what we're talking about today.
Who is this audiologist?
Simply put, an audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in issues related to our hearing and balance. They are like doctors, but their specialty is the in-depth study of the hearing and balance systems inside the ear.
They will examine your hearing loss, ringing in your ears, and frequent dizziness, find the cause, and help you manage them. They will also give you tips on how to prevent these conditions from occurring.
Think about it, our hearing and sight are what connect us to our world. We need our ears to be able to talk to someone, listen to a song, or be happy when we hear a bird. Similarly, our body needs to be in perfect balance to walk and do tasks without any problems. An audiologist helps you maintain both of these abilities.
They treat people of all ages. That means anyone from a newborn baby, to a school-going child, a young person, to an elderly grandmother or grandfather can receive their services.
You can usually find an audiologist in places like these:
- In hospitals and clinics
- In schools and universities
- In rehabilitation centers
- In nursing homes and care centers
What exactly does an audiologist help with?
An audiologist is a hearing specialist, so they mainly manage conditions related to the processes that occur inside the ear. Let's take a look at what those are.
| Condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Hearing Loss | This can be due to a variety of reasons. For example, they treat any type of hearing loss, such as natural hearing loss with age (presbycusis) , hearing loss caused by damage to the nerves in the ear due to exposure to excessive noise (sensorineural hearing loss) , or hearing loss as a side effect of certain medications (ototoxicity) . |
| Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) | Do you constantly hear a "ringing" or whistling sound inside your ear, even when there is no sound around you? An audiologist can help you manage this condition. |
| Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) | This is a bit of a complicated situation. What happens here is that your ears can hear sounds well, meaning there is no problem with your hearing. But your brain has difficulty understanding, separating, and recognizing the sounds you hear. For example, when a group of people are talking, you can't hear what someone is saying. |
| Dizziness and balance problems (Vestibular Disorders) | Our body's balance is controlled by a very sensitive system inside the ear (the vestibular system) . If something goes wrong with this, we feel dizzy or lightheaded. An audiologist can treat common conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which causes a spinning sensation when you turn your head while standing. |
What is the difference between an ENT doctor and an Audiologist?
This is something that confuses many people. An ENT doctor is also someone who looks after the ears, so what is the difference between an audiologist and an ENT?
Simply like this:
An ENT (Otolaryngologist) is a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat . They can diagnose the cause of your condition, prescribe medications , and perform surgeries.
An audiologist is someone who specializes in hearing and balance . They don't perform surgery or prescribe medication. They do specific tests, find out exactly what your hearing or balance problem is, and help you manage it. That means fitting hearing aids and teaching you specific exercises.
These two work together to help each other. An ENT doctor can refer you to an audiologist to get an accurate diagnosis of your hearing loss. Also, if an audiologist determines that your problem requires medication or surgery, he or she will refer you to an ENT doctor.
When should you see an audiologist?
If you have one or more of the symptoms below, it is a good idea to see an audiologist for advice.
- Do you find it difficult to understand what others are saying? Especially in a crowded place, do you often have to ask someone to "speak again" without being able to hear what they are saying clearly?
- Do you have to turn up the volume on the TV or radio too much? Do you feel like the volume is not loud enough for other people in the house to hear?
- Do you constantly hear a ringing sound in your ears? Do you often hear something like a "ringing" sound or a sound like the wind blowing?
- Do you often feel dizzy or spinning? Do you feel like you're spinning around when you stand up or turn over in bed?
If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. The best thing to do is to see your primary care provider first. He or she can examine you and determine if you really need the services of an audiologist or another specialist, and then refer you.
What happens when you go to see an audiologist?
When you first see an audiologist, you may feel a little nervous. But it's a very simple process. Usually, a few things happen:
1. Talk about your medical history: He or she will ask about your previous illnesses, the medications you are taking, and whether anyone in your family has hearing problems.
2. Asks about your symptoms: He or she will listen carefully to find out what problems you are having, when they started, and whether they are always there or come and go.
3. You will be examined: They will use a special instrument (otoscope) to look inside your ear. They will check for earwax or any other infection.
4. Special tests: Depending on your symptoms, hearing tests or vestibular testing may be done. These are simple, painless tests.
5. Explains test reports: He will simply explain to you what your status is based on the test results.
6. Tells you what to do next: Depending on your condition, you will be advised whether you need to use a hearing aid , do special exercises, or see another specialist.
Important questions to ask an audiologist
Just like when you see your doctor, when you see an audiologist, don't be afraid to ask questions you have. You can ask questions like these:
- What exactly is my medical condition?
- What is causing my hearing loss/vertigo?
- How serious is my condition?
- What other tests do I need to do?
- What treatments are best for me?
- What can I do at home to manage these symptoms?
Take-Home Message
- An audiologist is a specialist who helps with hearing and balance problems.
- If you feel like you have a hearing loss, a constant ringing in your ears, or frequent dizziness, first see your family doctor.
- An audiologist can perform special tests to diagnose your problem and recommend treatments such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or balance exercises.
- Don't ignore hearing or balance problems as a part of life. Help is available. With the right treatment, your quality of life can be greatly improved.
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