According to the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), an estimated 1 in every 10 people is suffering from some form of hearing loss. Out of these individuals, a full 65 percent are people under the age of 65.

This debunks one of the most damaging and pervasive myths relating to hearing loss: that hearing issues only affect those in their golden years. In fact, every day parents and people of all ages tackle the task of choosing an audiologist for themselves or a loved one. In this post, learn what you need to know to choose the best audiologist for your hearing needs.

Warnings Signs of Hearing Impairment

If you are not sure if you or someone you love may need to consult with an audiologist, it can be helpful to know the warning signs of hearing impairment.

– You often feel like you are straining to hear people.
– You are constantly reaching for the remote to turn the volume up.
– You can’t hear clearly if there is loud background noise.
– You can hear, but you can’t hear clearly.
– Your loved ones tell you to get your hearing checked.
– You have others in your family that have hearing loss.
– You avoid socializing in places that are loud.
– You ask people to repeat themselves frequently.
– You have previous experience with dizziness, ear infections, work around loud noises, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

There are many other symptoms to consider as well, but these are some of the most common and can help form the foundation of a symptoms list to share with your audiologist.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a medical professional that has received special education and training to diagnose and treat hearing issues.

Common issues that audiologists treat include these:

– Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
– Balance (vestibular/inner ear issues).
– Rehabilitation from temporary hearing loss.
– Diagnosis and treatment for permanent hearing loss.
– Fittings for hearing assistance devices.
– Referrals to other medical professionals for related issues (such as hearing loss related to disease).

There are a number of educational levels an audiologist may complete as part of ongoing professional training in the field. The titles and credentials will indicate what type of education and training a prospective audiologist has completed.

Here are the most common titles you will see:

– Doctor of Audiology. Abbreviated as Au.D., this doctorate-level degree is currently the highest degree an audiologist can earn. An audiologist practicing at this level has completed between 8 and 10 years of professional education and training in the field.

– Doctor of Science (Sc.D.). This clinical degree track is similar in terms of the number of education and training hours required to earn a doctoral-level degree in the field of audiology.

– Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Professionals holding this title often focus their career in audiology on research.

– M.S. (Masters of Science in Audiology) or M.A. (Masters in Audiology). Different institutions use these terms interchangeably to denote an audiologist who has completed masters-level education and training in the field.

– CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology). This degree certifies a professional to provide services in audiology.

– Hearing aid fitter. In most cases, hearing aid fitters have completed no specialized training in the audiology field. They may be experts at fitting the device(s) they represent, but any training is usually provided by the employer, which is typically a hearing aid device manufacturer. A hearing aid fitter is NOT the same as a trained and licensed audiologist.

Find the Right Audiologist for Your Needs

Like other medical professionals, audiologists may be generalists or they may choose a specialization. Specialized audiologists often devote their entire career to researching and treating a specific patient group, such as newborns with hearing loss or individuals with central auditory processing disorders.

If you are not sure what is causing the hearing issues you or a loved one is experiencing, it can be wise to start by seeing an audiology generalist. From here, you can narrow your symptoms down to a more firm diagnosis and then see a audiology specialist as the need arises.

Why See an Audiologist for Hearing Aid Fittings?

There are many good reasons to see an audiologist for your hearing aid fittings instead of just consulting with a hearing aid fitter.

Here are some of the most compelling reasons:

– An audiologist can employ the latest in auditory testing and diagnostics to match the right device to your hearing loss needs.
– An audiologist can expertly program and adjust the hearing device to remedy your specific hearing loss issues.
– An audiologist will be available for subsequent fittings and adjustments as needed and to fine-tune your hearing device as your hearing issues may change.
– An audiologist will always match you with a hearing device that will give you the best chances of reducing your hearing loss (this is critical, since improperly programmed hearing devices can actually make hearing loss worse).
– An audiologist sees use of a hearing aid device as part of a more comprehensive hearing treatment and health plan and treats use of the device from this perspective.

Additional Audiologist Credentials to Look For

The field of audiology is governed by its own code of ethics, administered by two organizations: the the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiologists (AAA).

The audiologist you select should be a member in good standing of one or both of these organizations.

Finally, many insurers cover audiology services and will often have their own internal standards for vetting participating audiologists. So be sure to check with your insurance carrier to find out which audiologists will accept your insurance plan.

By taking your time and doing the required research to determine an audiologist’s education, training, degree, and credentials, you can confidently make an appointment that can lead to improved hearing.