3 Reasons to Visit an Audiologist

Hearing is important to a number of facets of your life, from communicating with family and friends to connecting with the outside world through music and television. 

When an individual is struggling with their ear health, it’s crucial to see the right professional to have the condition evaluated, diagnosed and treated. Whether you’re struggling to hear or dealing with earwax complications, there are several reasons to visit the audiologist, including the following three.

Hearing loss

One of the most common ailments individuals visit the audiologist for is help with hearing loss. Symptoms of hearing loss include:

• Difficulty hearing women and children
• Having to turn the volume up on televisions and radios
• Everyone is ‘mumbling’
• You have difficulty hearing in group situations
• You ask others to repeat themselves frequently 

If an individual notices two or more of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with an audiologist. The audiologist will collect medical information, conduct hearing tests and then read the results to determine if a loss is present. In the event the individual has hearing loss, hearing aids are the most common form of treatment.

Earwax Impactions

Earwax is actually beneficial to the auditory system; it removes debris and dirt from the canal with a person’s natural motions of chewing and talking. Sometimes, however, earwax builds up and can cause a number of problems, including:

• Sudden hearing loss
• Pain in the ear
• Dizziness
• Ears feeling ‘clogged’ or ‘fuzzy’
• Ringing in the ears

Individuals should visit an audiologist if they notice the above symptoms. At-home remedies are available, but can sometimes worsen the symptoms experienced. The audiologist will be able to examine the ear and remove the impaction easily and pain-free.

Tinnitus

Another common condition individuals seek the help of an audiologist for is tinnitus. Tinnitus is described as hearing a ringing, buzzing, whooshing, swishing or roaring in the ear. Individuals suffering from tinnitus may hear these noises in one or both ears and it may be constant or come and go. Tinnitus has several root causes, so visiting the audiologist will help narrow down the contributing factor and recommend the proper treatment. Hearing aids with masking features are often utilized, in addition to tinnitus retraining therapy.

If an individual is suffering from any of the above three conditions, scheduling an appointment with an audiologist will allow them to be properly diagnosed and treated.