Searching for “Hearing Doctors Near Me”? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’ve found yourself typing “hearing doctors near me” into a search engine, you’re not alone. Hearing loss affects millions of Americans, and seeking professional help is a smart first step toward better hearing. But with so many types of providers—ENTs, audiologists, and hearing care professionals—it can be hard to know where to turn.

In this post, we’ll explain the difference between common hearing care providers, what services they offer, and how the hearing care professionals and audiologists at Beltone can help you on your hearing health journey.

What Type of Hearing Doctor Do You Need?

When searching for a hearing doctor near you, you may come across two main types of providers:

1. Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors (ENTs)

Also known as otolaryngologists, ENTs are medical doctors who specialize in conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. They are trained to diagnose and treat medical causes of hearing loss such as:

• Chronic ear infections
• Ear injuries or trauma
• Tumors in the ear or surrounding areas
• Congenital ear abnormalities

If your hearing loss is due to a medical condition, an ENT may be the right place to start. They can prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and refer you to a specialist if needed.

2. Audiologists and Hearing Care Professionals

Audiologists hold advanced degrees in audiology and are trained to diagnose, assess, and manage hearing and balance disorders. Hearing care professionals may also have extensive training and experience in hearing evaluations and hearing aid fittings.

These providers specialize in:

• Comprehensive hearing evaluations
• Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
• Long-term hearing care and maintenance
• Counseling on hearing loss prevention and management

If your hearing loss is due to age, noise exposure, or gradual decline, you’ll likely benefit most from working with a hearing care professional or audiologist.

Why Choose Beltone?

At Beltone, our network includes licensed hearing care professionals and audiologists who are trained to provide personalized, long-term hearing solutions. While we do not diagnose medical conditions like an ENT would, we offer a full suite of services focused on non-medical hearing care, including:

• Free hearing screenings
• Customized hearing aid fittings
• State-of-the-art hearing aid technology
• Ongoing care and support
• Access to remote care

We understand that hearing care isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why our team works closely with each patient to recommend the right solution for their lifestyle, budget, and hearing needs.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you’re unsure whether to see an ENT or a hearing care professional, a free hearing screening at your nearest hearing care professional is a great first step. During your appointment, hearing care professionals will assess your hearing and refer you to a medical specialist if they detect any signs of a medical issue.