Find an audiologist online in Chicago (IL)

An audiologist is a licensed and qualified professional who diagnoses and treats hearing loss that is not medically treatable. Think of an audiologist as a doctor who specialized in hearing loss. They’ve had extensive training in the auditory system. Hearing damage, partial hearing loss from old age, tinnitus – this is the audiologist’s area of expertise.

Audiologists:

• Perform hearing tests
• Fit and adjust hearing aids to give the best results for your hearing
• Treat balance disorders and ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

If you have trouble hearing, an audiologist is the person with the best qualifications to help you.

Audiologist vs. Ear doctor

The term “ear doctor” usually refers to an otorhinolaryngologist. A more common term for an otorhinolaryngologist is ear, nose and throat doctor. These are trained and qualified medical doctors who specialize in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, neck and base of the skull. They treat people who have trouble swallowing, speaking, breathing or eating, for example. An audiologist, on the other hand, is more narrowly trained. They have studied the auditory system and are specialized in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. Audiologists treat people who have hearing loss or ringing in the ears.

Audiologist vs. Otologist

Both audiologists and otologists are specialized in the ear and both professions require advanced schooling. In fact, an audiologist and an otologist may work side-by-side to give the best care. However, while an audiologist and an otologist may work together, they don’t perform the same treatments. Otologists treat hearing problems medically or surgically. Audiologists treat hearing problems that cannot be treated by an otologist, through the use of hearing aids and therapy, to help patients recover as much of their normal hearing as possible. That’s why an otologist may refer a patient to an audiologist, if their affliction cannot be treated medically. And an audiologist may refer a patient to an otologist, if they think treatment or surgery can cure the problem.

Audiologist vs. Audiometrists

An audiometrist is someone who is trained in performing hearing test (“audiometric screening”) to establish hearing levels. The results of the tests will be interpreted by an audiologist, who is trained in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. In some cases, an audiologist is also an audiometrist – meaning they perform the hearing tests themselves.

Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Specialist

A hearing aid specialist is a health care professional who recommends and fits hearing aids. They know the latest technology in hearing aids and can do basic hearing tests. Where hearing aid specialists know all about hearing aids, they are not as knowledgeable as audiologists when it comes to the auditory system, hearing loss, or treatment of hearing issues. Hearing aid specialists typically do not have the advanced degree that’s is required to become an audiologist.

Audiologists have undergone extensive training and qualification. They are specialized in diagnosing and treating hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and balance disorders as a result of damage to the vestibular system (the balance organ inside the inner ear). If you have trouble hearing, an audiologist is the person with the best qualifications to help you.

Any audiologist we recommend is qualified, licensed and has a good reputation. These are people we trust to do an excellent job.

• The audiologists we recommend are licensed, qualified and reputable
• With a nationwide network of over 100,000 audiologists we trust, we’ll always find one near you
• We work with audiologists who can offer you the latest in hearing aid technology
• We’ve helped more than 100,000 people just like you with our free service