Hearing aid doctors, or audiologists, as they are formally known, are licensed health care professionals skilled in treating hearing loss.
Because hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors – including, but not limited to sudden damage to the inner ear, aging, or long-term exposure to loud noise – it’s important to see a licensed medical professional in your search for better hearing.
What kind of doctor should I go to for a hearing aid?
If you think you have hearing loss, visiting your primary physician is a good place to start. They will be able to inform you if your hearing loss is something that can be treated with a hearing aid, or if it’s just a small issue, such as wax blocking your ear canal. For more serious concerns, your doctor may also direct you to an Otolaryngologist, or Ear, Nose or Throat doctor (ENT), to further investigate the cause of your hearing loss.
If it is determined that your hearing loss could be treated with a hearing aid, you can visit a licensed audiologist at Kirsch Audiology for a personal assessment on the type and degree of hearing loss, as well as available hearing technology.
Audiologists are skilled in providing diagnostic, rehabilitative, and other services associated with hearing, balance, tinnitus management, and related audiological fields. While they are different from a medical doctor or physician with a doctorate degree (M.D.), audiologists receive specialized training with clinical experience, similar to a dentist or pharmacist.
Doctors of Audiology, including those at Kirsch Audiology, are highly trained to provide comprehensive diagnoses of varying types and degrees of hearing loss and for the best recommendations of treatment to help you on your way to a better hearing.
Can I get a hearing aid without a doctor?
Hearing aids are medical devices, which means they need to be distributed by a hearing aid doctor, hearing aid specialist, or audiologist. (Comings soon, we’ll write an article on what’s the difference between hearing aid specialist or audiologists).
These small electronic devices are designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids need to be adjusted for each individual’s hearing loss, which is why it is necessary to visit an audiologist when purchasing hearing technology.
These technological marvels are equipped with four basic components: a microphone, an amplifier, a speaker (receiver), and power supply (batteries). The very latest even come with rechargeable capabilities. However, modern hearing aids are no longer the “big, beige bananas,” you may remember older relatives having. Many of today’s hearing aids are virtually invisible, with a variety of form factors that fit nearly all levels of hearing loss and personal preferences in style and features.
Also, there are made for iPhone hearing aids with Bluetooth technology which enable telephone streaming binaurally and audio output capabilities, like listening to Audible, music, etc. all done through the hearing aids. (We’ll soon be writing an article on this as well).
If your audiologist recommends a hearing aid, they will present you with a variety of modern hearing aid options and adjust the levels of amplification to fit your needs perfectly.
Does a hearing aid need to be activated by the doctor?
Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics inside, and it will take a while for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids, which is why it’s important to have an audiologist support you on your journey.
Getting used to new hearing aids takes time. At first, you may feel exhausted, just from hearing new sounds again. If your hearing aid feels uncomfortable, if you’re getting feedback, or if sounds are simply “too loud,” your hearing aid doctor will support you through the transition to better hearing.
For example, if you notice your new hearing aids are too loud in a restaurant, the audiologist can adjust the volume and programs on the hearing aids. If they aren’t loud enough, such as if you’re driving and can’t hear your passengers, then the audiologist can activate the hearing aid to work better for you.
Audiologists are trained and experienced in programming hearing aids, and they have all of the resources they need to make the right changes based on your hearing test results.
Remember, hearing aids are medical devices, and the technology can be complicated. Hearing aids work similar to the binary code of a computer, converting sound waves into numerical codes. These codes have information about a sound’s pitch or loudness, which is adjustable through programs that the audiologist has access to. The hearing aid doctor will be able to amplify some frequencies more than others, or adjust the technology for a specific level of hearing loss, giving a personal listening experience to the user.
How can I get a hearing aid?
The audiologists at Kirsch Audiology can help you select a hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Whether you would like an invisible behind-the-ear hearing aid or an in-the-ear model that is custom fit, our hearing instrument specialists are available to provide you with support to enjoy life’s sounds again.
We’d love to help everyone live a happier and healthier life by improving their hearing health. Come to visit us at Kirsch Audiology and we’ll make sure to find the best solution for you and your loved ones.
Want to know more about why you need medical clearance from a doctor before getting a hearing aid? Visit our Facebook page to connect with us!
Making an appointment with Kirsch Audiology is easy. Simply call his Santa Monica office, at 310-586-5533, or follow this link and make an appointment today!
