What Is an Audiologist?

Use the search bar on this page to find your nearest audiologist/hearing care professional or you can use the center search at the very top of the website. You just key in the city name or zip code, and we will show you your nearest hearing center. 

To become an audiologist, one must typically complete a doctoral degree in audiology (Au.D.) from an accredited program. In addition, audiologists must be licensed to practice in the state where they work. Some audiologists may also have additional certifications, such as the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Audiologists and hearing care professionals (such as hearing instrument specialists or hearing aid dispensers) have different levels of education and training: 

• Audiologists hold a doctoral degree in audiology and are licensed healthcare professionals. They have expertise in assessing and managing hearing and balance disorders, and they can provide a wide range of hearing healthcare services.
• Hearing care professionals, on the other hand, typically have completed a shorter educational program or apprenticeship that focuses primarily on the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids. They may work under the supervision of an audiologist or in specialized clinics. 

Audiologists and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors, also known as otolaryngologists, have distinct roles in the management of hearing and ear-related issues:

• Audiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders. They focus on non-medical interventions, such as hearing aids, auditory rehabilitation, and counseling.
• ENT doctors are medical doctors who specialize in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. They can provide medical and surgical interventions for hearing and ear-related conditions, such as infections, structural abnormalities, or more complex cases that require surgical intervention.