Ressourcen
How to Find a Good Audiologist
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Veröffentlicht am Jan 20, 2022
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If you’re having difficulty with your hearing or balance, the best way to find out what’s going on is an evaluation by an audiologist.
An audiologist is a clinician who provides evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance disorders including vertigo, tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds. They are trained to work with patients of all ages and have specific training and expertise in solutions including hearing aids, cochlear implants and balance (vestibular) rehabilitation.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are about 13,300 audiologists in America. Finding a good audiologist, however, can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got some insights that can make your search easier.
First, let’s take a look at what an audiologist does.
Audiologists who began their clinical practice after 2012 were required to earn a clinical doctorate called the Doctor of Audiology (AuD). Prior to that, the entry level for audiology was a Masters degree, so there are still some audiologists who have been “grandfathered in”, practicing with that credential. Audiologists may also have other earned doctoral degrees such as the Doctor of Science (ScD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Education (EdD).
In addition to a degree, audiologists must be licensed in the state or commonwealth where they practice. Additional voluntary general and specialty certifications may be earned from the American Academy of Audiology or the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, but these are not required to practice, nor do they necessarily indicate that the holder is a superior practitioner. Holders of both state licenses and voluntary certifications are required to complete regular continuing education in order to maintain their credentials.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, an otolaryngologist (more commonly known as an ear, nose, and throat [ENT] doctor) is a physician with an expertise in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. However, their specialty also extends to other parts of the head and neck, including the sinuses and thyroid and conditions such as allergies and sleep apnea.
ENTs earn a doctor of medicine degree after getting their bachelor’s degree. Medical school is followed by a five-year residency.
ENTs who further specialize in ears are called otologists or neurotologists. These specialists complete additional training to treat more complex ear conditions and more complex ear surgeries. For instance, an otologist performs the surgical placement of the internal component of a cochlear implant.
A hearing instrument specialist or hearing aid dispenser is licensed by the state to assess hearing loss in adults and fit hearing aids. They can make ear-mold impressions, sell, fit and program hearing aids, but they cannot diagnose hearing loss and they cannot diagnose or treat issues like auditory processing disorders, tinnitus, hyperacusis, or other auditory cognitive processing issues.
An audiologist should be consulted if you experience any of the following:
If the results of that evaluation suggest medical treatment is needed, the audiologist will refer you to an ENT.
Sarah Chandler, AuD, an audiologist from Missouri, said people often think they only need to get their hearing checked if they’re struggling. But a baseline test can detect changes due to other diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and effects of chemotherapy and radiation, she told HearingTracker.
“If we don't know how you used to hear, and there is a range of normal hearing, it's difficult to say if your hearing is changing,” Chandler said.
“Many people don't realize their hearing is changing when it happens over the course of several months or a few years. A hearing test from even five years ago would be a great help in those cases,” she explained.
“The best initial course of action for any patient with hearing loss is to visit an audiologist,” noted Cheryl K. Glovsky, AuD, a senior audiologist at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston. “A hearing test is almost always covered by insurance and results obtained will provide the best insight into appropriate intervention.”
Audiologists can work in a number of settings. You’ll find audiologists at any of the following places:
There are many ways to find the right audiologist. HearingTracker offers a convenient, free service to help you find a great audiologist. The provider search allows you to filter nearby providers by critical services like real-ear measurements and speech-in-noise testing, to find audiologists who go above and beyond to ensure you receive a great outcome.
Another place to find audiologists is to use the American Academy of Audiology directory, which lists members of that organization. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) also has a search tool on its website that contains audiologists. “Dr Cliff AuD”, a popular YouTube personality, also provides a database of vetted (by Dr Cliff) on his website.
The Hearing Loss Association of America, a consumer advocacy organization, can connect you not only to members who are audiology providers, but also local chapters where you can ask people with hearing loss in your community for recommendations of audiologists in your area.
University training programs in audiology and communication disorders generally have on-campus clinics. These training programs use students for some of the hands-on work, but they are always directly supervised by licensed audiologists, many of whom are also involved in state-of-the-art research on hearing loss an treatment. To find a program near you, download the list of CCC accredited programs.
Every person’s appointment will be slightly different, but generally, the audiologist should perform a detailed case history, look in your ears with an otoscope, perform tympanometry, and check your hearing sensitivity for tones and speech (both in quiet and in noise).
After all the tests are complete the audiologist should review the results with you including how each of the test results relates to the challenges you reported during your case history. The severity and type of hearing loss should be detailed and explained. They should provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions or gain clarification. They should then indicate if further testing a referral to a medical professional or treatment is indicated. Be sure to ask as many questions as you need to to feel that you fully understand your hearing, and the treatment options.
They will most likely create a formal report which may take a day or two. Be sure to ask for a copy for yourself as well as for one to be sent to your referring physician. That report should include all the results of the test above as well as interpretations and recommendations.
If the results indicate that you should purchase hearing aids, some good questions to ask are:
If at any point, you feel you’d like more information, feel free to ask for resources, or references to further your understanding of your hearing and the proposed treatment options.
Kristen Fischer ist eine Copywriterin und Journalistin aus New Jersey. Sie ist die Autorin von „Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids." Erfahren Sie mehr über Kristen.
Brad Ingrao, AuD ist ein Doktor der Audiologie, der in einer Familie mit schwerhörigen Menschen aufgewachsen ist. Er praktiziert klinische Audiologie seit 1992. Als früher Unterstützer disruptiver Technologien und Praktiken bekannt, sucht er ständig nach Wegen, um den Zugang zu qualitativ hochwertiger Hörentwöhnung zu verbessern.
