An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Most have earned an Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) degree while others have received a master’s degree or Ph.D. from an accredited university. Audiologists receive extensive training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing and balance disorders in patients of all ages. They work in diverse settings such as: hospitals, schools, clinics, universities, private practices, VA facilities, hearing aid dispensaries and otolaryngology (ENT) offices.
Audiologists are responsible for services such as:
- Administering hearing and balance evaluations
- Assessing candidacy for and programming implantable hearing devices (e.g., cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids, etc.)
- Fitting and dispensing hearing aids
- Counseling patients and their families on communication and effective listening strategies
- Designing and implementing hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs
- Providing aural rehabilitation programs
- Performing ear-related surgical monitoring
- Conduct research on hearing and balance disorders
If you are experiencing hearing loss or a balance disorder, an audiologist is the most qualified individual to test, diagnose and treat your condition. No other professional possesses the education, skills and training of an audiologist, and few provide the level of follow-up care necessary to ensure the ongoing success of patients with hearing loss and/or balance disorders.
Call Great Lakes ENT Specialists at (231) 489-8151 for more information or to schedule an appointment.