Medical terminologies can be quite confusing. The same can be said when it comes to audiology as well. There can be a lot of confusing terms that seem to represent the same thing. So, who exactly is an audiologist and what does he/she do? Let us have a look.
An audiologist is someone who deals with the hearing and balance-related issues of our ear. There are similar occupations in the field, like that of an Otolaryngologist and Hearing Instrument Specialists. The former deals with the diseases of the ear, throat, mouth, and nose, while the latter focuses on selling hearing aids to individuals with issues of hearing loss. Audiologists are more focused on the ‘hearing’ part and help us identify and cure any hearing-related issue. Some of the roles that can be taken up by an audiologist are:
Audiological Care Coordinator
Individuals with hearing problems may often need to take treatment from different institutions and the course of treatment may differ each time. A proper track of the same has to be maintained. Also, they might need guidance in choosing the right medical opinion. An audiological care coordinator is an individual that helps the patients with all these things.
Counsellor
A counsellor essentially identifies the needs of a patient and then suggests the necessary solutions which can be adopted by them. The role also involves analyzing the audiology assessments of the patient and explaining them in detail to the family in understandable terms. The counselling is not only given to the patient, but to the whole family at times.
Diagnostician
As the name indicates, a diagnostician is someone who performs tests on the patients to diagnose the problem. The right kind of equipment along with the suitable environment is necessary for a diagnostician to perform his/her role properly.
Educational Audiologist
Creating awareness and educating individuals on the topic of hearing problems and possible deafness is quite important, especially in schools. An educational audiologist is someone who works along with the teachers and other school staff, helping them to deal with students who are hearing-impaired.
Audiological Researcher
Every field has to do proper research for proper understanding and further development of the same. The audiological researcher dives deeper into the concept and looks for ways to improve the existing hearing equipment, to develop more accurate and quick diagnostics methods, and so on.
Hearing-related issues can be quite serious and it is important to get your ears checked by an audiologist to get the prescription for a hearing aid. Make sure to visit your hearing aid store and choose a hearing aid that suits you best.