Can audiologists prescribe medication?

Typically, an audiologist does not provide prescription medication within their scope of treatment. They can, however, prescribe hearing aids.

What are some common signs of hearing loss?

The usual signs of hearing loss at the onset are difficulty in understanding words clearly, requiring higher volume on average, and difficulty hearing lower-pitched sounds.

Can hearing aids be used by people of all ages?

Yes, hearing aids come in a vast range of types and can be used by people of all ages, including infants.

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by an incessant ringing noise in the ear, caused by gradual trauma and vibrations in the eardrum.

Can hearing impairment be reversed?

In most cases, hearing impairment cannot be reversed. However, it can be alleviated using appropriate hearing aids.

Bringing you closer to crystal-clear hearing through best-in-class care

Audiology is the field of medicine that deals with the sense of hearing and other related issues in the ears. When factoring in that our ears are responsible not just for hearing, but also for balance and spatial orientation, audiologists provide a far wider range of treatments than one might assume. Aside from the common conditions of tinnitus and hearing loss, an audiology expert may also weigh in on medical issues such as vertigo.

Audiologists are highly qualified in providing holistic treatment for various ear conditions. This spectrum of treatments can be divided into distinct aspects, such as:

- Aural Rehabilitation: Fixing anomalies in the ear that directly cause hearing loss. One such treatment is ear wax removal.
- Audiologic Therapy: The form of treatment usually prescribed for hearing impairment of varying degrees. For instance, audiologists may prescribe hearing aids to help you manage your daily routine better.
- Balance Therapy: An audiologist can help in rehabilitating individuals whose inner ear has suffered damage, consequently causing balance and spatial orientation issues.

You may notice a pattern among the three broad avenues mentioned above. The general ambit of what audiologists treat lies in the physiological functions of the ear, including but not limited to hearing loss. Regarding treating these conditions with audiometry, it is important to note that:

- An audiology specialist does not perform surgical procedures; and
- They also do not prescribe medication (including those related to ear health).

These differences delineate an audiologist’s medical role from that of an otologist (ear doctor) or an ENT specialist. If you suspect hearing loss or any other condition such as mild tinnitus, an audiologist can be your first point of consultation (provided it is not accompanied by a larger ear infection). Knowing which symptoms are characteristic of hearing loss is the ideal first step to receiving proper ear protection treatment.

When to Visit an Audiologist

Before visiting an audiologist, it is advisable to conduct a quick self-assessment of what initial hassles you may be experiencing with your hearing. Some symptoms may not be as prominent as others. Letting your audiology expert know about all the symptoms you experience is essential for an effective diagnosis at the audiometry clinic. Some of the common telltale signs to watch out for in terms of hearing impairment are:

- You are unable to decipher sounds distinct from ambient noise. This could be caused by multiple factors, including accumulation of ear wax.
- You hear a constant ringing or similar noise in your ear at frequent intervals. The noise could be in different degrees of intensity, depending on which your tinnitus treatment will vary.
- You struggle with understanding low sounds or voices, even during direct conversation.
- You find yourself having to increase the volume of electronic devices frequently.
- You are facing heavy instances of dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance at regular intervals. In these cases, you will usually consult a primary care physician before going to an audiologist for further diagnosis.

Some of the above symptoms are early warning signs of hearing loss, while others are indicators of severe hearing impairment. Therefore, informing your audiology specialist of all symptoms, no matter how minor, is crucial. Based on the severity of your initial symptoms, your audiologist will prescribe an ideal treatment, with follow-up appointments at intervals based on how you respond to the audiometry therapy.

Through the myAster application, you can get seamless access to the best audiology specialists in your region from a single interface, with various sub-specializations and treatments based on specific requirements.

Common Procedures and Treatments

Audiology treatments are primarily concerned with assessing, diagnosing, and eventually providing treatment for your specific ear protection needs. Some of the commonly employed treatments for audiometry are:

- Speech Audiometry: A series of contiguous tests that seek to analyze and improve the acuity of your hearing through dedicated speech exercises.
- Tympanometry: This method deals with improving ear protection, specifically in the eardrums. Through diagnostic methods, we can learn the extent of damage to the eardrums and thereby begin treatment.
- Newborn hearing screening OAE: For children born with congenital hearing issues or other similar conditions, specialized hearing tests can help calibrate their hearing capabilities at a young age.
- Pure-tone testing: The test can help assess the actual hearing capacity and whether your hearing is within the standard range.

Audiology specialists often work closely with ENT doctors and otologists to bring cohesive treatments and results to every individual. Audiology and speech therapy go hand-in-glove, as these disorders are often interlinked in their pathophysiology. Browsing the myAster platform will give you seamless access to the best practitioners in the field.

The myAster Advantage

By choosing myAster, you gain access to a wide host of digital advantages in appointment booking and scheduling. From the initial appointment to post-consultation follow-ups, everything is a smooth process manageable through a single interface: myAster. Here is a glimpse of the platform’s salient features:

- Video consultation for added convenience in consultations for hearing loss
- Intuitive access to reports and medical files
- Integration to Aster Pharmacy
- Easy filtering in searches for audiology specialists
- Timely reminders for follow-up appointments and tests

Change the way you schedule appointments for audiology consultation with myAster.

Audiology