Common Conditions An Audiologist Treats

Audiologists are specialists who work predominantly with the ears. Though hearing loss is probably the most common issue they deal with each day, they are also highly trained to diagnose and treat other conditions too.

If you have any problems with your ears, you should always see an audiologist for a checkup but here are 4 of the most common conditions your audiologist can treat.

Hearing loss

Whether you have been worrying about a decline in your hearing for a while or you have experienced sudden hearing loss, your audiologist will be able to diagnose your condition and suggest suitable treatments where applicable.

Taking regular hearing tests is a good idea as this may help to catch any hearing loss at an early stage so that you can start treatment immediately. An audiologist is trained to provide hearing tests to establish the degree and type of hearing loss you are experiencing and then use this information to suggest the most appropriate hearing aids for your needs. They will also provide follow up care.

Ear infections

The inner ear is responsible for your balance and an ear infection may cause you to feel dizzy or as though you are an unwitting passenger on a boat. Ear infections can also be very uncomfortable and can cause temporary hearing loss.

An audiologist will be able to diagnose and treat an ear infection and minimize any potential for damage to your inner ear. They can recommend over-the-counter medication where necessary, as well as provide follow-up care to ensure that the infection has passed and your hearing is back to normal.

Impacted earwax

Many people experience impacted earwax at some point in their life and though it can be very uncomfortable, your audiologist will certainly be able to help. Depending on the level of impaction, your audiologist may first send you home with an earwax removal kit to help soften the wax so that it can pass naturally.

If your earwax is densely packed or your earwax removal kit hasn’t worked, your audiologist will then use a small tool called a curette to remove the wax manually. This treatment should be performed by an audiologist to ensure no damage is caused to the ear and the earwax is removed safely.

Tinnitus

Simply put, tinnitus is when your ears are ringing constantly, causing you frustration and sometimes even distress. Tinnitus may have several causes and though some may be passing, for others, a long-term solution is required to mitigate the symptoms and help you cope.

An audiologist will first diagnose the type of tinnitus you have and then suggest a course of action. Hearing aids may help some people who are struggling with tinnitus because they have undiagnosed hearing loss but others may benefit from a masking device to disguise the ringing sound. An audiologist may also suggest that you receive some therapy to help you cope with your condition and reduce the stress it causes.