It’s strange when you think about it; you have a vague impression of what an audiologist is and what they do, but when it comes to it, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to explain that to anyone. You might not even have quite the correct information yourself. Apart from the fact that audiologists assist people with hearing loss and hearing-related illnesses, the rest of their work is shrouded in mystery or at least that’s how it might seem.

The truth is that any audiologist will be happy to tell you more about what they do, and it’s just something that simply hasn’t come up. However, so that you have some more information – perhaps because you are experiencing hearing loss and think you might need to make an appointment with an audiologist yourself – we’ve put together a list of details to help you understand the role of audiologists. Read on to find out more. 

Help for All Ages 

It might surprise you to learn that there is no age limit on who an audiologist can help. From newborn babies to seniors and everyone in between, hearing loss can affect everyone. That’s why an audiologist is there to offer help for all ages. This begins right at the start, as one of the tests carried out on a newborn baby will be to determine if they have any hearing loss. 

So if you think you might be developing hearing loss, don’t assume that no one can help you because it’s associated with old people. That might be what most people think, but an audiologist will know how to help you. 

Multiple Steps to Diagnosis 

Although an audiologist can help you from the start to the end of your hearing loss journey, it won’t all happen at one single appointment. You will often need to make multiple appointments before, during and after your diagnosis and treatment. This is because there are many different tests that an audiologist will need to carry out to ascertain just what kind of hearing loss they are dealing with.

After that, they will need to talk to you about your options, and this may include fitting you for a hearing aid. Then you’ll need to learn how to take care of that hearing aid and use it correctly. Finally, there will be follow-up appointments to check that you’re doing well and help you if you have any questions. Although it may take some time, each different stage is crucial. 

When to Make an Appointment 

Ideally, you should see an audiologist regularly, at least every two or three years, much like you would a dentist or doctor. However, even if this is not something you want to do, at the very least, you should see an audiologist if you start to experience hearing loss or if you have a blockage, feel dizzy, have an infection or you experience tinnitus. 

There Are Many Treatment Options 

Although the first thing most people will imagine when they think of an audiologist and the treatment available for hearing loss is hearing aids, there are several different treatment options available and not all of them will require any additional hearing devices. This is why it’s so important to book an appointment with an audiologist; they will know which path is best for you to take when you need assistance with hearing loss.