If you’re experiencing hearing loss, finding the right healthcare professional is crucial. Just like any other medical concern, your hearing health deserves expert attention for effective long-term care and guidance. You might be wondering, “What kind of doctor should I see for hearing issues?” The answer often leads to a Doctor of Audiology, or Au.D.
a hearing loss patient at her ear doctor appointment
Sudden hearing loss can signal a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. However, for the millions experiencing gradual hearing decline, an Au.D. doctor, or audiologist, offers specialized care, particularly for those who could benefit from hearing aids. In fact, a significant portion of the 2.8 million U.S. adults with hearing loss can find improved hearing through the expertise of an audiologist.
Decoding Au.D.: Your Hearing Expert
What exactly is an Au.D.? Whether you call them an audiologist, hearing aid doctor, doctor of audiology, or ear doctor, these terms all refer to highly trained medical professionals specializing in hearing and balance disorders. These experts hold advanced degrees and are dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and managing hearing loss through rehabilitation and advanced hearing technology.
The Academic Journey of an Au.D.
In the United States, becoming a licensed audiologist requires earning a Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.). This rigorous academic path typically involves a three-year doctoral program following a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum is comprehensive, blending classroom learning with extensive clinical practice, including a crucial externship, often compared to a medical residency. Upon graduating with an Au.D., most audiologists pursue licensure to practice audiology clinically.
an audiologist diploma
Diploma of Lyn Kirsch, Au. D.
a second audiologist
Diploma of Stephen Kirsch, Au. D.
Are Au.D. Doctors “Medical Doctors”? Understanding Their Doctoral Status
Yes, an audiologist holding an Au.D. is indeed a Doctor of Audiology. While technically a doctoral-level professional, it’s important to understand the distinction. The Au.D. became the standard doctoral requirement in the U.S. in 2007. Consequently, some experienced audiologists in practice may hold Master’s degrees in audiology earned before this shift.
Today’s aspiring audiologists must complete a doctorate (Au.D.) program after their bachelor’s degree. Similar to medical doctors who specialize, audiologists can also focus their expertise. Specialization areas include pediatric audiology, focusing on hearing in children; geriatric audiology, addressing hearing concerns in older adults; or educational audiology, working within school settings.
The curriculum for an Au.D. is extensive, potentially including coursework in areas like:
- Peripheral Hearing Anatomy and Physiology
- Psychoacoustics: The perception of sound
- Acoustics and Signal Processing for Communication Sciences
- Biological Foundations of Speech and Music
- Hearing Amplification Technologies
- Supervised Clinical Practice and Practicum
To gain licensure as a Doctor of Audiology in the U.S., candidates must accrue over 300 hours of supervised clinical experience, successfully pass a national board exam, and complete a nine-month postgraduate clinical fellowship.
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Drs. Stephen & Lyn Kirsch, of Kirsch Audiology, completed their Doctor of Audiology at A.T. Still University Arizona School of Health Sciences.
Dr. Stephen Kirsch’s educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from LSU Medical Center – New Orleans, while Dr. Lyn Kirsch holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Audiology, preceded by a Bachelor’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders.
Au.D. Doctors vs. Medical Doctors (M.D.s) Specializing in Hearing
a professional ear doctor
While Au.D. doctors are experts in hearing healthcare, they are generally not medical doctors (M.D.s) or physicians. Medical Doctors who specialize in ear care are known as Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors, or Otolaryngologists.
Otolaryngologists (ENTs) provide critical medical and surgical care for complex ear, nose, and throat conditions. Their expertise is often necessary for serious conditions affecting the middle ear, temporal bone, or skull base. For common sensorineural hearing loss, the type often addressed with hearing aids, an Au.D. is typically the appropriate specialist.
ENTs are equipped to manage more severe hearing-related issues, including surgical oncology, endocrine surgery, and endoscopic surgery. They treat conditions like balance disorders, vascular malformations, and sleep apnea, often requiring advanced medical or surgical intervention.
Furthermore, Doctors of Otolaryngology perform surgeries for cochlear implants. These sophisticated devices are designed to restore hearing for individuals with profound hearing loss or deafness. Cochlear implants differ significantly from hearing aids. They involve an internal component surgically placed in the cochlea (inner ear) to directly stimulate the auditory nerve with electronic signals, alongside an external sound processor, resembling a hearing aid. Cochlear implants can bypass damaged parts of the inner ear, offering a pathway to hearing for those who receive limited benefit from hearing aids.
Medication and Surgery: Scope of Practice for Au.D. Doctors
Doctors of Audiology focus on non-medical, non-surgical hearing healthcare. Therefore, Au.D. doctors do not perform surgeries and do not prescribe medications, including prescription drugs.
While hearing aids are classified as medical devices, their use should not cause pain or require medication to manage side effects. Discomfort from hearing aids is usually addressed through adjustments or device modifications, not medication.
If you experience discomfort with your hearing aids, consulting your Au.D. doctor is the best course of action. Often, adjustments like creating a new earmold or refining the hearing aid program settings can resolve the issue.
Audiology as a Career: Is Au.D. a Good Profession?
Choosing audiology as a career path offers numerous rewards. Audiology is widely recognized as an excellent profession. In 2015, Time Magazine ranked audiology as the top career in America, citing factors such as manageable stress levels, strong job security, and competitive salaries.
Audiologists are known for their dedication to patient care and their passion for improving communication. Many Au.D. doctors find profound fulfillment in immediately impacting lives when fitting hearing technology, witnessing firsthand the positive changes better hearing brings to individuals.
Audiologists, including those at Kirsch Audiology, frequently engage in philanthropic work, extending hearing healthcare to underserved populations globally. By providing personalized care and expertly fitted hearing solutions, Au.D. doctors offer immediate and significant improvements in the hearing and quality of life for people with hearing loss.
Begin Your Journey to Better Hearing
If you are concerned about your hearing, consider consulting the Doctors of Audiology at Kirsch Audiology. Their team of highly qualified and experienced hearing care professionals possess the advanced audiology degrees and extensive clinical expertise necessary for accurate hearing loss diagnoses and effective solutions.
Scheduling an appointment with Kirsch Audiology is straightforward. Call their Santa Monica office at 310-586-5533, or visit their website to book your appointment today!
