When experiencing hearing loss, it’s natural to turn to your general practitioner as a first resort. Their expertise covers a wide array of medical concerns, but hearing health is an area where their setup may fall short. General practitioners attend to diverse patient needs and often rely on referrals for specialized assistance in hearing health matters. However, there are hearing professionals who are specifically equipped to address hearing-related issues. By recognizing the unique challenges and complexities involved in hearing health, you can explore the advantages of seeking the expertise of dedicated hearing specialists.
Hearing Specialists Versus General Practitioners
A hearing specialist, sometimes called an audiologist, is a medical professional specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions affecting the ear. They have a broad knowledge of:
- The causes of hearing loss.
- Conditions that can affect the outer, middle and inner ear.
- The fitting of hearing aids.
- Managing tinnitus and balance issues.
Hearing specialists spend significant time educating their patients and helping them manage hearing loss issues. General practitioners, on the other hand, provide patients with care for a wide range of common health issues. People visit their doctor’s office to get help with ear infections and obtain prescription medications. General practitioners may also sometimes provide counseling and advice if they have time. However, they do not specialize in issues affecting the ear.
More Accurate Diagnosis
Audiologists are able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your conditions. That’s because they have the tools and techniques to thoroughly investigate your ears and measure any hearing problems you might have. For instance, they can test:
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- Inner ear function.
- Brainstem response to audible stimuli.
Speech understanding.
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- Middle ear function.
Hearing sensitivity.
- Type and degree of hearing loss.
When you leave the audiologist’s office, you go with a comprehensive overview of your hearing health. You should understand what’s working, what isn’t and what treatment you need.
More Personalized Treatments
Another benefit of going to an audiologist over a general practitioner is getting more personalized treatments. Hearing specialists can recommend various hearing aids or therapies depending on your specific ear condition. They can also consider factors such as cosmetic concerns, budget and listening needs when deciding on a plan. This approach makes it more likely you will get a device or treatment plan that helps you.
Finally, ongoing fine-tuning and adjustment services to ensure your device operates optimally. Usually, you will attend the clinic for an initial calibration session and then return two or three weeks later for further customization.
Deal with Earwax Buildup Immediately
Audiologists can also help you deal with earwax buildup immediately without waiting for a referral. Audiologists keep tools onsite to safely remove excess cerumen from the ear canal, helping to restore your hearing. Do not attempt to use cotton swabs or picks to remove earwax yourself. These may push obstructive material further into the ear, worsening hearing and leading to infection. Audiologists will use an earwax removal solution or specialist tools to eliminate unwanted material.
Get Help with Balance
Another benefit of visiting a hearing specialist over a general practitioner is their ability to address balance issues. These professionals can help you deal with conditions, such as vertigo, which affect the small loops in the middle ear. They can also assist with issues such as pain on long-haul flights and after swimming. Balance and hearing health can be connected, so if you notice that you are having balance issues talk with your audiologist to see if its related to your hearing condition.
Better Follow-Up Care
Lastly, audiologists may provide better follow-up care for patients. These visits ensure your treatment is progressing as expected and you are managing your hearing loss well. For instance, at follow-ups, audiologists will:
- Check any devices fit properly and are delivering the benefits.
- Evaluate your tinnitus treatment and measure the reduction in perceived sounds.
- Provide you with various ear protection options.
- Refer you to other specialists for issues like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
- Provide you with resources to help you better manage your treatment.
Multiple follow-ups help you feel closer to your audiologist and develop rapport. Over time, you will feel more comfortable speaking to them about hearing health issues and getting advice.
If you’d like to learn more about why you should see an audiologist for hearing health conditions, get in touch with our team at Hear Here Audiology today. Call us today at 727-289-1212 to schedule an appointment.
