Different types of hearing care professionals or specialists
There are different types of hearing care professionals (often referred to as HCPs) or specialists, and what you can expect from each of them, dealing with your hearing loss, also varies.
Hearing aid dispenser
A hearing aid dispenser has specialized training in performing hearing tests and recommending different hearing aids based on the results. These professionals can help select and fit hearing aids in some countries. It is worth noting they are specialists in hearing aids only, not of the ear and hearing conditions in general like audiologists or ENT doctors.
Audiologist
An audiologist is a specialist in hearing in general. They do not perform surgery and cannot prescribe medication as they do not typically have a medical degree. However, they will guide you as you go through hearing examinations, explore options for hearing aids, and help you to learn how to use them. Audiologists are equipped with extensive knowledge of the human auditory and vestibular systems. They are extremely well trained in acoustics (the science of sound), which allows them to perform the precise fitting and adjustment of hearing aids.
An audiologist, a hearing aid dispenser, a hearing care specialist, a hearing care professional, a hearing center or hearing clinic are all terms that can be used to refer to the clinic or store where you get a proper hearing examination, buy your hearing aids and have them fitted.
ENT doctor
An ENT doctor, also known as an otolaryngologist, is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ears, nose, and throat (the ENT comes from the first letter of those three body parts: Ear Nose and Throat). They can perform medical examinations and provide treatment, including surgery, if necessary.
When is it time to book a consultation?
There is no recommended time or frequency to see an audiologist. While hearing loss tends to be associated with age, anyone can face a challenge with hearing. Hearing loss can gradually develop over a long period. Therefore, it is essential to take action at an early stage.
If you are experiencing a decrease in your hearing or notice other hearing loss symptoms, we recommend you to take our online hearing test. It will give you a general assessment of your situation. If the result indicates that you might have a hearing loss, you should book a consultation with an audiologist or hearing care specialist.