How Can an Audiologist Help You?
Audiologists might be focused on your ears but they can have a big impact on your overall quality of life. There are a number of ways that an audiologist can help you and they have a range of diagnostic methods to assess your condition and recommend treatments.
Though your hearing is the most likely reason that you feel you need to visit your audiologist, they are also trained to deal with a wide range of other issues including difficulty communicating, trouble with balance, compacted wax and tinnitus.
Make the most of your hearing
An obvious place to start, audiologists are best known for their ability to diagnose and treat hearing difficulties. Whether you are gradually finding it harder to hear or you have experienced a sudden loss, an audiologist will be able to perform tests to diagnose your hearing loss, determine whether your condition is reversible and recommend possible treatments. An audiologist will also be able to fit and adjust a hearing aid to best suit your needs and will perform regular checkups to ensure that you make the most of your hearing for as long as possible.
Help you with your balance
Your inner ear is crucial to your ability to balance and if you are having any issues such as dizziness or vertigo, your audiologist is the first person to see. Audiologists can diagnose and treat a wide range of balance issues including Meniere’s disease, benign paroxysmal vertigo, labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis. They may also suggest exercises to help you feel more stable.
Remove impacted wax
If you are struggling with a buildup of compacted earwax that you have not been able to remove at home, your audiologist will be able to help. They will use a small tool called a curette to gently remove the earwax from the canal, a procedure that should never be attempted at home or by anyone other than a professional. This method will clear out your ear canal but it will also help to reduce the discomfort caused by the wax.
Treat tinnitus
Tinnitus is surprisingly common and may be caused by a number of things including undiagnosed hearing loss or trauma to the ear. An audiologist is the best person to determine the course of action you should take to treat your tinnitus, depending on the cause. For example, if your tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss, a hearing aid may be the best solution. Alternatively, masking device may be of more help to limit the effects of the ringing in your ears.
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