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The Role of Audiologists in Managing Hearing Health

Whether you have hearing loss, dizziness, or ringing/noises in your ears, knowing who to turn to can make all the difference. Audiologists are your go-to experts for comprehensive hearing care, whether it’s pinpointing the problem or recommending advanced treatment options.
By
Audiologist Stephanie Jaffe
Published 3/26/2025,
Updated 3/26/2025
Reviewed by
HearUSA editorial team
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The Role of Audiologists in Managing Hearing Health
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The Role of Audiologists
What Hearing Assessments can Audiologists Perform?
What Treatments can Audiologists Provide?
Key Qualities to Look for in an Audiologist
Frequently Asked Questions
The Role of Audiologists

How Audiologists Help You Overcome Hearing Challenges

When it comes to health concerns, including signs of hearing loss, going to the right type of doctor or specialist can make a big difference.

An audiologist can empower you to confidently manage your hearing health with comprehensive care that goes beyond a hearing test and hearing aid fitting. Recognizing the importance of audiologists ensures patients receive expert care for their unique needs.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a trained healthcare expert specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing and balance disorders. Here’s a more in-depth look at the services they provide.

  • Diagnosis

    Audiologists conduct detailed tests to diagnose and manage hearing loss, balance issues, tinnitus, and other related ear disorders.

  • Treatment

    They create tailored plans to address these issues, which could include various types of hearing aids and other hearing loss solutions.

  • Education

    They educate people on health conditions that can impact the ear, noise exposure, hearing loss, and hearing aids to help patients safeguard their hearing.

  • Hearing Aids

    Audiologists help select and fit hearing aids and other assistive listening technologies, and provide guidance on using hearing aids effectively.

  • Research

    Many contribute to hearing care research and information and conduct studies to help people better understand topics like hearing and balance.

  • Ear Care

    Audiologists are also trained to safely remove earwax to help improve hearing and address other ear-related concerns.

Audiologists

One of the key differences between audiologists and hearing care/aid specialists is that audiologists have earned a doctorate degree in audiology (Au.D.). This means they have extensive education and training in diagnosing hearing disorders and related ear conditions.

Choose an audiologist if you’re:

  • Experiencing hearing loss but aren’t sure of the type or severity.
  • Having other issues with things like tinnitus, dizziness, or balance.
  • Need an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Hearing Care Specialists

Hearing care/aid specialists are important to the hearing care industry as well. Whether they’ve completed high school or college, they’ve learned how to conduct hearing tests and fit hearing aids through on-the-job training.

Choose a hearing care/aid specialist if you:

  • Know you have hearing loss and need to get tested and fitted for hearing aids. 
  • Need hearing aid support.
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In summary, while both professionals are able to perform hearing tests and fit hearing aids, audiologists are trained doctors who are equipped to deal with more complex issues.

With a more extensive range of expertise due to their training and background, audiologists can diagnose and help people manage a broader spectrum of hearing and balance-related conditions. This further underscores the importance of audiologists when it comes to hearing health.

What Hearing Assessments can Audiologists Perform?

Comprehensive Hearing Assessments

Audiologists are qualified to provide a variety of tests to assess hearing, certain ear-related medical conditions, and balance. Here are some of the common evaluations they can perform:1
The family happily are seeing the audiologist with the women pointing her ears.
  • Pure-tone testing: The most common hearing test, it determines the quietest volume heard at each pitch through the use of headphones. 
  • Bone conduction testing: Helps to determine if there are issues with the cochlea’s tiny hair cells that are vital to hearing. The cochlea is the part of the inner ear.
  • Speech testing: Shows how someone understands speech.
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  • Auditory brainstem response (ABR): Tests the connections or pathways between the inner ear and brain. 
  • Otoacoustic emissions (OAE): Checks inner ear function usually in babies and young children.
  • Tympanometry: Assesses the function of the mechanical systems of the ears and looks for wax and fluid in the middle ear or ear canal.
  • Balance assessments, including tests like the Electronystagmography (ENG) chair test: Analyze the inner ear’s role in balance.2

An audiologist will determine the appropriate tests and develop a tailored treatment plan for your individual needs. Keep in mind that if you have hearing loss, it’s imperative you see a professional.

While an online hearing evaluation can be a great place to start to get insight on your hearing challenges, it doesn’t take the place of an assessment and official diagnosis from an audiologist. An online screening can help you determine whether a more comprehensive test is needed.

What Treatments can Audiologists Provide?

Hearing and Other Medical Treatments

Audiologists specialize in providing treatments to address various hearing and balance disorders and related medical issues. Some treatments they provide include:3

  • Hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing loss. 
  • Cochlear implants for severe hearing loss.
  • Tinnitus management through therapies and strategies aimed at minimizing its effects.
  • Vestibular/balance therapy to identify causes of vertigo, dizziness, and improve stability.
  • Custom hearing protection, including earplugs and hearing aids for musicians, swimmers, or individuals who are often exposed to loud environments.
  • Auditory training and exercises to enhance listening skills and improve auditory processing.

Each treatment plan is customized to the patient, helping improve overall hearing health and quality of life.

Key Qualities to Look for in an Audiologist

What Makes a Great Audiologist?

As with any doctor, you want to make sure you feel comfortable with the person who’s testing and recommending treatment for any medical condition. Here are some things to consider when choosing an audiologist:

  • Bedside manner

    A doctor’s warm bedside manner goes a long way in helping you feel confident in and moving forward with your care.

  • Compassion

    A doctor with compassion can make you feel seen and heard, which can build trust and encourage you to proceed with treatment.

  • Patience

    The right audiologist will take their time with you, answer all your questions, and practice patience throughout your appointment.

  • Experience

    Of course, training and education are important when choosing an audiologist. Check their credentials before you go.

  • Communication

    Being able to communicate with patients so they can clearly hear and understand things is an extremely important trait in audiology. Hearing loss and other related conditions can be sensitive subjects, so the right audiologist should be highly skilled in the area of communication.
Remember, your comfort level is of the utmost importance, with any doctor.
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Are you ready to book an audiologist visit? Book your appointment with one of our qualified audiologists and hearing centers near you today.
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The importance of audiologists lies in their ability to diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of hearing and balance disorders. Their focus is on improving patients' quality of life and helping them reconnect with the world around them. 

Keep in mind that hearing care/aid specialists are just as valuable in the services they can provide, which include hearing tests, hearing aid fittings and follow-up appointments. However, if you need more comprehensive care that involves more advanced testing, diagnosis, and treatment, an audiologist is your best choice. They both can help you find the best hearing aid brands for your needs. 

HearUSA’s national hearing care network includes highly trained and qualified audiologists at our hearing centers near you. Contact HearUSA to get started — we’re ready to help you take control of your hearing health!

 

1 Cleveland Clinic: Hearing Test (Audiometry): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24104-hearing-test
2. News-Medical.net: Audiology Diagnostic Tests: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Audiology-Diagnostic-Tests.aspx
3 InnoCaption: Understanding Audiologists: The Experts in Hearing Health: https://www.innocaption.com/recentnews/understanding-audiologists

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