Choosing Your Provider: Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Dispenser vs. ENT

Get the Facts for the Right Care You Need

Hearing loss can affect communication, relationships, and even mental and physical health. This makes it all the more important to schedule regular checkups, address potential hearing problems early, and choose the right professional for your care. See our quick guide below to learn more.


AUDIOLOGIST

Licensed doctors of audiology, or audiologists, extensively university-trained, specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating hearing loss and balance disorders, providing a full range of audiological services for all ages.

  • Comprehensive hearing evaluations
  • Hearing loss prevention and education
  • Customized hearing technology solutions
  • Hearing aid fitting, programming, and follow-up
  • Auditory rehabilitation and counseling
  • Tinnitus diagnostics and treatment
  • Vestibular or balance disorder evaluations and treatment
  • Hearing protection

HEARING AID DISPENSER

Hearing aid dispensers, limited in the services they provide, can select and sell hearing devices for adults. Licensure requirements vary but often involve training and an exam.

  • Performance of basic hearing test to select, program, or fit a hearing aid
  • Follow-up adjustments on hearing aid technology
  • Hearing aid maintenance, including some repairs
  • Referral to audiologists or ENT if patients have conditions such as earwax blockage, perforated eardrum, tinnitus, or difficulty with speech understanding

ENT

Otolaryngologists are physicians trained to diagnose and treat head and neck diseases or injury — primarily focused on pharmaceutical or surgical interventions.

  • Treatment of conditions such as ear tumor, otitis externa (“swimmer’s ear”), and earaches
  • Surgical procedures such as otoplasty (protruding ears), tympanoplasty (perforated eardrum), and tympanostomy (ear infection)
  • Medical management of certain hearing or balance issues
  • Cochlear implants, in collaboration with an audiologist


An audiologist is your partner in total hearing wellness. At Cityview Audiology, we’re proud to offer a team of dedicated audiologists for all your hearing care needs. As an AudigyCertified practice, we’re not only committed to delivering extraordinary technology, excellent service, and exceptional value but also timely patient education and expert advice.

 

So don’t wait. If you have questions about picking the right professional for your optimal hearing health, please contact our office today!