Hearing Loss on The Rise For All Demographics
Many people will experience hearing loss at some point in their lives,
What Is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a dedicated medical professional who focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating all issues about hearing and balance. Those who seek to become an audiologist have to complete a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in the audiology program of choice, and in some places, additional licensing may be sought to top off a degree.
What is an audiologist?
When you have a toothache, you see your dentist as an expert in all toothy things. Well, when you notice that your hearing isn't working as well as it used to, or you hear a ringing in your ears, an audiologist is the person that you speak to. They use their years of training to test and diagnose your hearing problems, and they then put you on the right path for treatment and future support. They can deal with all auditory issues, including tinnitus, issues with balance and hearing loss.
Audiologists work in clinics, hospitals, private practices, schools and they assist those of all ages. Audiologists are not the same as hearing instrument specialists, who specifically focus on hearing aids and devices to support hearing, and they are not the same as ENTs, who deal with the ear, nose and throat as a whole. They focus mainly on the non-surgical side of your hearing, and they will be able to diagnose any hearing issues you have with thorough testing.
Education
When it comes to qualifying as an audiologist, there are a few routes that can be followed. Most audiologists choose to go ahead with a doctor of audiology, but they don't have to. Plenty of audiologists have a Ph.D. instead, and these programs take around four years of clinical study – and that's after a Bachelor's degree. Once they have completed a master’s or Ph.D. audiologists are then required to hold a license to practice. The requirements differ state to state, so if you are looking for an accredited audiologist, it's always worth checking your state's laws.
Services
From newborn to seniors, audiologists can help all people with hearing-related issues. As they can cover a huge range of conditions and treatments, audiologists are the number one people to turn to if you notice anything changing. Newborns have hearing tests at birth performed by an audiologist, and seniors often see an audiologist before they are fitted for a hearing aid. Hearing screenings are essential for overall health, and some of the services that audiologists can help with include:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Sensitivity to sounds
- Meniere's disease
- Issues with earwax build-up
- Auditory processing issues
- Balance disorders
Each situation is different, but all audiologists will review your case's specifics and come up with a plan to help you and give you the support you need.
Treatments
Each audiologist and each patient work out a different treatment plan, but some of the ways that your audiologist can help you include:
- Advice on hearing aids
- Tinnitus therapies
- Sound therapies
- Advice on hearing protection
- Aural rehabilitation
- Earwax management and removal
Choosing your audiologist
It can take a lot of time and research to ensure that you have the right audiologist working on your case. It would help if you had a knowledgeable and friendly individual who is highly skilled and happy to listen when discussing your hearing and issues with your ears.
Checking out their reviews, getting family feedback and speaking to your insurance company are all excellent places to start when you are looking for an audiologist. You need to get as much as you can in terms of reviews and feedback before choosing anyone and making sure that you meet with a few audiologists of choice before selecting the right one. There is no need to settle when you know that you deserve the best.
If you are dealing with hearing loss or other issues with your ears, then the best thing you can do is learn more about Portland Audiology Clinic, LLC. Call today at (503) 227-3668 is the first step to booking an appointment with a highly professional audiologist who only has your best interests at heart.
We have a reputation for excellence in the hearing industry, and we use state of the art technology to diagnose, manage and treat your hearing issues. Scheduling an appointment today is the first step you can take to ensure that you support your hearing in the future. Our audiologists will help you and your hearing needs after a careful and thorough assessment and diagnosis. Call us today for more!
