How Does an Audiologist Treat Hearing Loss?

If you find yourself experiencing any kind of hearing loss then it is essential that you have the right help and support. Knowing which medical professionals that you can turn to is essential when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Audiologists are often the first place that you should look at any stage of hearing loss treatment. Not only are they trained to be able to identify the causes of hearing loss, but they are also trained to treat those causes and help you live your life as comfortably as possible. Here are some of the ways that an audiologist might treat your hearing loss.

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids

Hearing aids are the most common and helpful form of treatment that an audiologist can provide if hearing loss is the result of some form of damage to the inner ear. There are a wide variety of different types of hearing aids available and an audiologist has the training and experience to help you understand which is the best option for you and what will be the most effective. 

There are three kinds of hearing aids that are most commonly used. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, which hook over the top of the ear and rest behind the ear. A tube then connects the hearing aid to an earpiece inside the ear canal called an ear mold. It's a popular option because it can help with a variety of different types of hearing loss and is suitable for people of all ages. Though some people are put off by their size.

Different hearing aid styles to choose from

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are smaller and sit in the outer portion of the ear canal. It's a fairly discreet option since all of the components are contained inside the shell rather than wrapping around your ear. In order to fit an ITE hearing aid, the audiologist may have the shell of the hearing aid custom made to fit your ear. These can be very popular among those who require higher levels of amplification or for those who have dexterity issues thanks to their larger size and ease of fitting into your ears.

The other option is in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. These hearing aids are custom made based on an impression taken of your ear canal by the audiologist. They are one of the most cosmetically appealing options because they fit so comfortably and discreetly inside your ear canal. The components are contained within a lightweight plastic shell that is difficult to see and comfortable to wear.

The reality is that hearing loss can be caused by a number of different things which can often result in the need for all kinds of different treatments. Regardless of the cause of your hearing loss, the best thing that you can do is to speak to a professional as soon as possible so that you can ensure that you get the treatment that you need. Having your hearing loss diagnosed incorrectly can result in treatment that is both ineffective and potentially dangerous so getting support from the right professionals is incredibly important.