An audiologist is a health professional who helps people with hearing and balance. Audiologists work with people of all ages, from babies to older adults.
What does an audiologist do?
- Tests hearing: They use headphones and other tools to find out how well someone hears different sounds and speech.
- Checks balance: Because the inner ear helps control balance, audiologists can assess some problems that cause dizziness or unsteadiness.
- Helps with hearing difficulties: They explain test results and suggest ways to make hearing easier, such as hearing aids or other listening devices.
- Supports ear health: They may offer advice on protecting hearing from loud music, machinery, or other noise.
- Works with other professionals: If a hearing problem might need medical treatment, an audiologist may recommend seeing a doctor who specializes in ears.
What happens at a hearing test?
- The audiologist asks about your hearing and any concerns you have.
- You may listen to sounds or words through headphones and respond when you hear them.
- The audiologist explains what the results mean and discusses possible next steps.
In short: Audiologists help people understand, protect, and improve their hearing and, in some cases, investigate balance problems.