What is the difference between an audiologist and an ENT specialist?

Have you ever faced any hearing difficulties, and wondered whether you should see an audiologist or ENT specialist first? Although you might see both of these medical practitioners working in tandem, they have different roles and possess varying degrees of expertise in their respective fields. To diagnose and treat your hearing-related issues efficiently, you must be aware of the fundamental difference in the type of services offered by both ENT specialists and audiologists. Here is an informative guide highlighting the major points of difference between both of these medical professionals.

Capabilities of an Audiologist

Audiologists are usually the first point of contact for any hearing-related concerns. They are mainly responsible for diagnosing and monitoring any type of hearing disorder, primarily issues pertinent to one’s auditory and vestibular systems. In other words, they should be consulted on matters of hearing damage or complete hearing loss. They can also help patients deal with auditory issues, including tinnitus and balance. In addition to offering support to their patients through the provision of medical hearing aids, they also assist them in improving their quality of life via counseling or communication training. In other words, audiologists mostly support patients with their hearing problems in non-intrusive ways.

Capabilities of an ENT Specialist

As the name suggests, an ENT specialist or an otolaryngologist, helps patients deal with disorders associated with their ear, nose, and throat. They are usually consulted by patients suffering from ENT-related conditions, such as sleep apnea, sinusitis, ear infections, tonsillitis, and cancerous disorders. Unlike audiologists who are generally non-intrusive in their treatment approach, ENT doctors tend to follow the surgical route when it comes to curing hearing-related issues. When hearing loss is caused due to infections or mild tumors, an ENT specialist can perform surgical procedures to restore the hearing ability of the patient. 

As both ENT specialists and audiologists work closely with each other, a patient visiting an audiologist is usually referred to an ENT physician for treatment. In turn, an ENT doctor may suggest you consult an audiologist to measure your progress or monitor any changes in your hearing health. 

When to consult an Audiologist

If you are suffering from any type of hearing disorder, an audiologist is the first go-to medical practitioner for your needs. An audiologist plays a role in the diagnosis of a hearing condition, however, he/she seldom can prescribe any medication or administer therapeutics to patients. If the hearing loss is caused by any serious medical condition and is not a result of aging or exposure to loud noise, they usually suggest you consult an ENT specialist. So, when should you consult an audiologist? 

Consult an Audiologist in the following scenarios:

• Excessive Buildup of Earwax: Although they can’t perform a surgical procedure, an audiologist can help you remove excess earwax that gets built up in the ears over time. 
• Diagnosis of Hearing Problems: If you are experiencing any kind of hearing difficulties, reach out to an audiologist, who will help you diagnose the condition, the severity of the condition as well as the underlying factors that might have contributed to the hearing problem. 
• Tinnitus: Some individuals experience a constant ringing/buzzing in their ears, which can be high-pitched at times, and therefore, cause significant discomfort. Such hearing issues, if not severe, are usually treated by an audiologist.
• Age-induced Hearing Loss: When hearing loss is induced by age, it is usually corrected using a hearing aid. Generally, in such cases, no therapies are prescribed to the patients, or any surgical procedure is required. Therefore, an audiologist is perfectly capable of handling these cases.

When to consult an ENT Specialist

If an audiologist refers a patient to an ENT doctor, he/she would be responsible for testing the condition further and determining the underlying cause for the hearing loss, if the audiologist was unable to do so. An ENT specialist has the expertise to conduct more complex and detailed tests than audiologists. If the hearing loss is a result of a mild tumor or a severe ear infection, the ENT doctor would be able to perform surgeries and prescribe medications to the patient.

Consult an ENT Specialist in the following scenarios:

• Otosclerosis: This condition is also termed as fused bones, and results in hardening of bones inside the ear. This is usually a consequence of bone growth within the ear. Surgery by an ENT doctor is the most favorable treatment option for this condition.
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: People who experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss are usually not suitable candidates for conventional medical therapies or hearing devices. They need a thorough examination by an ENT doctor to check for the possibility of a severe infection or the presence of benign tumors.
• Ear Injuries/Head Trauma: If the hearing damage is induced by a head injury, an ENT specialist should be consulted for suitable diagnosis and treatment. 
• Ototoxicity: Certain medications used for the treatment of cancer or serious heart ailments, can also cause loss of hearing. Such type of hearing loss is also overseen by an ENT specialist. 
• Balance: Balance-related issues, which are usually caused due to erratic movement of the base of the skull are evaluated by an ENT doctor. 
• Hearing Problems in Pediatric Population: As hearing loss in children is likely to be a consequence of a genetic disorder, an infection, or allergies, they need sophisticated and thorough evaluation by an ENT specialist before treatment.

Although both ENT doctors and audiologists work together in most cases, they offer different levels of expertise when it comes to treating hearing-related conditions. An audiologist is often touted as a high-level hearing expert, whereas, an ENT deals with much more complex hearing issues induced by underlying medical conditions. Further, an audiologist often follows a non-intrusive approach to treating hearing loss (through hearing aids), while an ENT specialist can prescribe medications, as well as perform surgeries if required. Now, the next time you face any hearing problem, make sure you contact the right medical professional to help you efficiently deal with it.