What Conditions Does an Audiologist Treat?

Audiologists are highly trained professionals specializing in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders. If you experience any signs of hearing loss, such as difficulty understanding conversations, frequently asking others to repeat themselves or ringing in your ears, it’s essential to see an audiologist for a comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, if you notice sudden changes in your hearing, experience dizziness or balance problems, or have concerns about your overall hearing health, seeking the expertise of an audiologist is recommended. Early intervention by an audiologist can lead to better management of hearing issues and improve your overall quality of life.

Hearing loss 

For most people, hearing loss will be the primary condition that comes to mind if asked what an audiologist does. This association has good reason behind it, as audiologists are indeed experts in all aspects of hearing loss. Audiologists can administer diagnostic tests, analyze the results, prescribe hearing aids, and fit and program hearing aids for their patients – and this is true of all types of hearing loss, ranging from age-related hearing loss to conductive hearing loss.

Earwax issues 

Earwax is a natural substance that our ears rely on in order to maintain the best possible health, but for some people, ear wax can become problematic. When wax builds up in the canal, it can become impacted, which causes a myriad of symptoms ranging from discomfort and pain to hearing loss. When this happens, an audiologist can help resolve the issue by removing the earwax using trusted, reliable, and highly successful techniques.

Tinnitus 

Tinnitus is a condition that causes people to hear phantom sounds; rather than the sounds originating in the external world, the sounds are effectively created by the brain. Tinnitus can have significant impacts on a person’s quality of life, but usually responds well to treatment – should be monitored and managed by an audiologist. In addition, it is always important that anyone experiencing tinnitus seek the advice of an audiologist, given that the condition is strongly related to hearing loss.

Balance disorders 

Balance disorders – a classification that includes conditions such as vestibular migraines and Meniere’s disease – often have similar symptoms, such as vertigo, nausea and blurred vision. Though these disorders do not necessarily cause symptoms related to the ear, they nevertheless should be treated by an audiologist. The reason for this relates to the root cause of balance disorders, which is almost always found in the inner ear – which is, of course, an audiologist’s specialty. If you, or someone you know, experience any of the above conditions, then seeking the advice of an audiologist is the first step towards finding the treatment you require.