What is an Audiologist?
Au-di-ol-o-gist is a primary health care professional who evaluates, diagnoses, treats, and helps people manage hearing loss and balance disorders in people of all ages.
Audiologists are licensed by the state. Many Audiologists have earned a doctor of audiology degree (Au.D.) from an accredited university. Other Audiologists have Masters Degrees, or other doctorial degrees, such as a PhD, or ScD.
Audiologists evaluate and treat all ages of people and all types of hearing loss: infants, children, teens, and adults.
Audiologists:
- Perform Hearing tests and evaluations.
- Prescribe, fit, sell, evaluate, and repair hearing aids.
- Assist in cochlear implant programs.
- Perform ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring.
- Design and implement hearing conservation programs.
- Implement newborn screening programs.
- Provide hearing rehabilitation training - including auditory training.
- Provide for the patients Overall Hearing Health Care.
Audiologists are licensed by the state not just to perform hearing tests for the purpose of selling hearing aids, but to diagnose your hearing loss and, when appropriate, recommend different courses of action.
Not everyone needs, or will benefit from, hearing aids. Audiologists have specialized training to determine what course of action is most appropriate.
Audiologists are trained and licensed differenty from hearing aid dealers or hearing aid dispensers. A hearing aid dealer or dispenser is only allowed to perform a hearing test as a part of selling hearing aids. They are not allowed to perform medical evaluations or determine the cause of a persons hearing loss. They are also specifically prohibited by law from charging for hearing tests or hearing screenings.