Why You Should See a Hearing Specialist Instead of a General Practitioner

Hearing loss is experienced by many worldwide, with research revealing that at least 15% of adults have it. If you also experience it, you may wonder which medical professional to consult for assistance. Audiologists or general practitioners (GP) may cross your mind, making it hard to decide. Although all these medical professionals are useful in their fields, you will be better off seeing a hearing specialist than a general practitioner to improve your hearing condition. This article highlights why you should see a hearing specialist instead of a general practitioner.

Why Should You Visit a Hearing Specialist Instead of a General Practitioner?

Hearing specialists are well-trained experts with vast knowledge of your auditory system. They can significantly assist in diagnosing and treating your hearing issues and other symptoms like tinnitus. Even if you’re not too worried about your hearing ability, routine hearing assessments can still prove useful. Here are some reasons to consult a hearing specialist rather than a general practitioner.

They Can Examine Your Hearing Health

Visiting an audiologist is your best bet to keep your ears healthy, as they can thoroughly inspect your ears’ physical outlook and hearing capability. They may conduct various hearing tests to verify how well your ear is functioning and your ability to detect different pitches or volumes of sounds. The result of these tests can inform audiologists whether you have existing hearing loss and what are the next steps to take.

Design an Appropriate Treatment Plan

After detecting the main issues confronting your ears, a hearing specialist can design an effective treatment plan to help enhance your hearing. If you require hearing aids like in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) or in the canal (ITC), your audiologists will help you make the right choice. They will explain the differences and ask you the preference of what style you will want.

Higher Expertise in Hearing Care

General practitioners may lack an in-depth understanding of your hearing health. Conversely, professionally trained and licensed audiologists are the best experts to rely on for hearing loss treatment. When you consult an experienced hearing specialist, you can trust that your needs will be met due to their high level of expertise.

Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment

Hearing specialists can help you overcome diverse auditory problems, namely wax accumulation, hearing loss and tinnitus. Extreme wax buildup can negatively impact your hearing system and create ear discomfort. Using cotton swabs to clear your wax is not advisable, as this practice can further shove earwax in your ear. Hearing specialists have the right equipment to diagnose and treat medical issues relating to your ears.

Adjust Your Hearing Aids

Using hearing aids can greatly improve your hearing. Therefore, you need to book an appointment with an audiologist, and they will teach you how to get the most out of your device. If it’s your first time wearing your hearing aid, there is no need to worry. Your audiologist will help you adjust your hearing aid to fit your new life. Your hearing specialist will also show you how to adjust your hearing aids to fit the environment that you are in.

Can A General Practitioner Treat Your Hearing Loss?

Primary care physicians are generalists who often take care of undiagnosed health conditions. They may treat a variety of conditions without being specialists in any field. You may consult your general practitioner for ear infection treatment. However, please note that they will likely refer you to an audiologist to treat mild, moderate or severe hearing loss.

Why You Should See an Audiologist

For instance, you may consult an audiologist first to better understand the degree of your hearing loss, after which they may want you to get a hearing aid fitting. An audiologist can test your hearing function and fit your hearing aids. These experts are licensed to operate and can help you find the best hearing solution. Some ways in which a hearing specialist can be of great help to you include:

• Repairing your damaged hearing aids.
• Taking your ear impressions.
• Fitting and maintaining your hearing aids.
• Designing and preparing earmolds.

Why Choose Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service for Your Hearing Loss Treatment?

It’s vital to visit the right professional to seek treatment for your hearing loss; that is where Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service comes in. We also provide excellent services that allow you to enhance your overall hearing. By choosing our audiologist, you stand to benefit from hearing assessment, rehabilitation and tinnitus management programs. Contact us today at (920) 267-5220 to learn more about our services.