Why You Should See a Hearing Specialist Instead of a General Practitioner

If you believe you have hearing loss, you may be wondering whether you should see a hearing specialist or general practitioner (GP). Seeing the former is likely to result in more specific care, but you may have a deeper relationship with the latter.

For optimal guidance, you should contact an audiologist – a specialized medical professional who possesses an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the ear. In comparison to a general practitioner, they can offer a higher level of expertise. Here, we look at some of the primary reasons why seeing an audiologist is better than going to your general practitioner.

The Difference Between a Hearing Specialist and A General Practitioner

An audiologist is a professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They receive several additional years of training in medical school, preparing them for carrying out different hearing test, fitting and adjusting your hearing aids. Your audiologist will also be able to provide treatment for any other related hearing conditions such as tinnitus.

On the other hand, general practitioners receive standard training and care for patients with a wide array of health problems. They can:

• Perform physical examinations of anatomy.
• Prescribe multiple medications.
• Order blood tests.
• Refer patients to specialists when required.

Most people view audiologists as specialists and general practitioners as generalists. Audiologists know more about conditions affecting the ear, whereas general practitioners deal with patients with virtually any problem, referring them when necessary.

The Benefits of Seeing a Hearing Specialist Instead of a General Practitioner

There are several benefits of going to the audiologist instead of the general practitioner if you have an ear or hearing problem. A hearing specialist will be able to provide a specific treatment plan any hearing conditions.

More Accurate and Comprehensive Diagnosis

First, going to the audiologist is more likely to result in an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis. Hearing specialists keep various testing equipment in their offices and laboratories, letting them assess your hearing on-site. They can perform audiograms, remove stubborn earwax from your ear canal and do various bone conduction tests to see what’s driving your hearing loss. They can also offer techniques such as tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response to measure your hearing ability. General practitioners don’t usually have this equipment on-site.

Better Hearing Aid Calibration

Audiologists can also provide you with superior hearing aid calibration. While general practitioners might adjust a hearing aid once a month, audiologists do it most days. Calibrating your hearing aid is essential for getting the most out of the device. Ideally, they should amplify the frequencies you struggle to hear the most. Your audiologist will be able to show you how to adjust your hearing aids to fit the environment that you are in.

Striking the right balance is challenging, which is why going to seasoned professionals is the best option here. Audiologists can use the output of audiograms as guidance to adjust your hearing aids optimally, providing sound enhancement only on parts of the frequency spectrum where you need it most.

More Personalized Treatment Plan

Another benefit of going to the audiologist is a more personalized treatment plan for your specific ear condition. Hearing specialists can recommend the best hearing aid model or treatment protocol for your hearing health, helping you better manage your condition. They can also provide ongoing support and follow-up care after your appointment, addressing any concerns that might arise along the way.

Improved Quality of Life

Lastly, going to the audiologist instead of the GP can improve your quality of life by effectively managing your condition. Hearing loss can interfere with work, education and mental health. However, seeing a hearing specialist instead of a general practitioner can restore your hearing function and enable you to enjoy your life as normal. It can reduce the risk of social isolation, cognitive decline, falls and depression by strengthening hearing health overall.

You should see an audiologist over a general practitioner when related to hearing health conditions. With a hearing specialist, you can get a full diagnosis and the best treatment rapidly, helping you avoid further loss of hearing and other ear conditions. Talk with an audiologist about your hearing health, and how you should proceed in making a treatment plan.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment at Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids, get in touch. We provide accurate diagnosis and testing and a range of state-of-the-art treatments to patients. Call us today at (914) 610-3440 to schedule an appointment.