If you are experiencing any sort of issue with your health, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what sort of professional you should consult. Many individuals are unsure what an ear doctor can help them with compared to their primary care physician. While there may be some overlap, there are certain symptoms that an audiologist is best equipped to help you manage.
Here are some of the signs that you should make an appointment:
Frequent Ear Infections
Symptoms of an ear infection include pain or pressure in one or both ears, pus draining from your ears, and hearing loss. A primary care physician will often diagnose and treat this condition. However, you should consider making an appointment with an ear doctor if you notice that you are getting ear infections frequently. This may be an indication of a middle ear disorder. Our audiologists can test for this condition and treat it as necessary.
Ear Wax Build-Up
Wax is important for the health of your ears, but too much of it can cause problems. These include temporary loss of hearing, ear infections, dizziness, or ringing in your ears. If you notice any of these, we recommend scheduling an appointment. Attempting ear wax removal at home can create more issues, whereas an ear doctor can inspect your ear and remove any wax safely.
Balance Concerns
Your inner ear controls your sense of balance and various conditions can arise from inner ear issues. Vertigo, a sudden spinning sensation without an external cause, is one example. You may also experience dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, or frequent falls. An audiologist can test for, diagnose, and treat a variety of vestibular disorders (balance disorders) including Meniere’s disease.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is when you hear a noise, often a ringing, with no external source. This is normal and not a cause for concern after being exposed to loud noise, such as a concert. However, persistent tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss or an auditory nerve issue. You should consider seeing an ear doctor to get treatment if you suffer from tinnitus, especially if it is affecting your quality of life.
Hearing Loss
Many people hesitate to get the help they need for their hearing loss, but there’s no need to be embarrassed. Hearing issues are very common and modern technology has made hearing aids smaller and more effective than ever before. If you are noticing any of these common signs of hearing loss, we recommend scheduling a hearing test so you can start getting the help you need to communicate effectively:
Problems Understanding Speech
With sensorineural hearing loss, you may feel that you are able to hear people speaking, but that you cannot understand what they are saying. This is because this type of hearing loss is a result of issues with communication between your ear and your brain. The sounds travel into your ear the same way, but your brain does not get a clear signal, so understanding speech becomes more difficult.
Trouble Hearing Specific Noises
Sensorineural hearing loss often causes certain types of sounds to be more difficult to hear or understand than others. In particular, you may notice that women and children are harder to hear than men. This is because of the higher pitch of their voices. Specific speech sounds, such as “s” or “th,” may also be affected.
Issues with Noise Environments
You may first notice hearing loss in noisy environments, such as restaurants or other busy areas. When more than one person is talking at once, it can make it harder for you to understand the individual you are listening to.
Get the Hearing Health Care You Need
When you work with our audiologists, you don’t need to go through the hassle of going to a traditional office or big box store to get the treatment you need. Instead, we can come to you or, depending on the issue you are having, can meet with you virtually. This allows us to evaluate your concerns in the comfort of your own home on your schedule.