The Difference Between a Hearing Aid Dealer & an Audiologist

If you suspect hearing loss, get a hearing test. There are many qualified individuals who perform hearing tests. You can go to an audiologist, an otolaryngologist, who is an an ear, nose and throat physician or an audioprosthologist, who is a hearing aid dispenser. They all provide audiometric evaluations. In order to choose a hearing specialist, It helps to understand the differences among the types of hearing aid professionals.

Hearing Aid Dispensers

• Hearing aid dealers or dispensers are licensed by a state or provincial board. Their range of studies includes audiogram (hearing test) interpretation, prescribing appropriate hearing aids and a complete understanding of how hearing aids function. Their training focuses solely on audiometric testing and hearing aid fitting.

Audiologists

• Audiologists have either a master's or doctorate degree in audiology. Audiologists who sell hearing aids must also be licensed by the state or province they practice in. Audiologists have a greater knowledge of human hearing and balance than other hearing professionals. They study the intricate designs and workings of the entire human ear and the physics of sound and hearing. Audiologists don’t perform ear surgery or prescribe treatment for diseases of the ear. Most otolaryngologists have an audiologist on staff to perform hearing tests and sell hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Dealers

• Hearing aid dealers selling hearing aids online, by mail order or phone order provide very little one-on-one patient care. You are usually asked to provide a copy of your own hearing test. These dealers have to abide by state and provincial laws regarding the sale of hearing aids.

The Difference

• The biggest difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid dispenser is education. An experienced audiologist has a greater understanding of the physics, mechanics and chemistry involved with human hearing.

Choosing a Hearing Professional

• Your physician can recommend a hearing specialist and tell you if there’s anything medical that is causing your hearing trouble. If you are experiencing age-related hearing loss with no other associated medical conditions, a hearing aid dealer or an audiologist can help you. If you have a history of ear conditions or have had ear surgery, it’s best to see an audiologist.