What is an Audiologist/Hearing Aid Dispenser?
Audiologists are the primary licensed health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children. They work in a variety of settings, such as: hospitals, clinics, private practice, ENT offices, universities, K-12 schools, government, military, and VA hospitals.
Almost all types of hearing loss are treatable by an audiologist. Audiologists treat all ages and types of hearing loss: adults, teens, children, and infants. Audiologists prescribe and fit hearing aids (if they have a Hearing Aid Dispensing License), assist in cochlear implant programs, perform ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring, design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening, and programs provide hearing rehabilitation training.
Most hearing loss that is caused by nerve damage can be treated by an audiologist with hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation. Audiologists can also provide you with information about intervention strategies (therapies or services) related to communication options (e.g., different ways to communicate such as sign language, auditory training, speech reading, listening skills improvement, cued speech, etc.)
A hearing aid dispenser (hearing instrument specialist, hearing aid dealer) is a person licensed to sell hearing aids. Hearing aid dispensers are trained in the interpretation of hearing assessment instrumentation, hearing aid electronics, specifications, analysis, modifications, and programming hearing aids.
The audiologist and hearing aid dispenser will work with your family and a team of professionals, such as a speech-language pathologist, ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor), early intervention specialist, and teacher of the deaf, to provide you and your child with the services you need.
An audiologist and hearing aid dispenser who have training and experience to test and provide services to infants and young children will offer the best care for your child.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your audiologist and/or hearing aid dispenser. These questions were suggested by New Jersey EHDI Hearing Evaluation Council (advisory board) members and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source/ http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/audio_ent/document/What%20is%20an%20Audiologist.pdf
