Introduction

It is important to find a hearing professional to help you in your journey to find the right hearing aids for your unique needs. A wide variety of specialists can prescribe the devices, including otorhinolaryngologists, family doctors, neurologists, pediatricians and internists. The professionals you consult may vary depending on your needs – if you are experiencing ringing in the ears or need help with managing tinnitus, visit an otolaryngologist. If you are having trouble understanding speech in noisy environments or have trouble understanding what is being said when someone speaks into one ear, visit a general practitioner who may then refer you to an audiologist.

Hearing aids are tools people use to improve their hearing. A doctor can prescribe hearing aids to improve a person’s hearing if a person has difficulties with their current hearing, or when a person has mild to moderate sensorineural loss in one ear and significant sensorineural loss in the other ear. Prescription for hearing aids is granted by contact with an audiologist and the patient’s medical history. People that want to receive a prescription for a hearing aid must contact their audiologist three months before they plan on wearing the device as insurance coverage only last 12 months at a time before needing new coverage, which may or may not be available depending on what state they live in.

Who Can Prescribes Hearing Aids?

1. An Audiologist

An audiologist is a person that receives training in the study of hearing and balance.

2. A Primary Care Physician.

A primary care physician is a medical provider that takes care of general health issues for patients on an everyday basis. A family doctor that treats many patients for their health needs may be the one most appropriate for this job, though any primary care physician can perform the task as a patient’s need arises. Regular visits to a general practitioner are useful because they can detect health issues before they become more severe or require higher levels of attention.

3. Hearing Therapists

Hearing therapists are people who specialize in the therapy of hearing, especially in cases where a person has mild to moderate hearing loss. The tasks can include the fitting of hearing aids and counseling a patient on how to use them.

4. Physician assistants

Physician assistants have some training in audiology, but not enough for them to grant a prescription for a hearing aid. Physicians often refer patients with hearing problems to their PAs so that they can evaluate their needs and refer to an audiologist or other specialist accordingly.

5. Family doctors

Family doctors are medical practitioners that usually manage a patient’s health needs. They are responsible for general wellness, illness management and disease prevention. Doctors in this field of practice differ from other physicians in that they are responsible for all types of health concerns, and not just those related to hearing. Some family doctors may have enough knowledge of hearing to diagnose and fit hearing aids, but they may only recommend them to patients when necessary or when they are unable to fit them themselves because their patient needs a more skilled member from the medical field in order to do so.

6. Neurologists

Neurologists are medical doctors that specialize in the study of brain function and the nervous system. They may be the most qualified professionals to prescribe hearing aids because they are trained to analyze the way a person interacts with sound and make recommendations on how to improve that interaction. Patients with neurological problems may need hearing aids in order to understand speech better, while patients with nerve-related issues may experience ringing in their ears, which could also be helped by a hearing aid.

7. Internists

Internists manage a patient’s cardiovascular health and help people live longer and healthier by educating them about prevention of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. They can also refer patients to an otolaryngologist when necessary, though their primary field of expertise is diseases that affect the head and neck region. Patients with ear trouble may be best referred to an otolaryngologist because they are well-versed in ear problems.

8. Pediatricians

Pediatricians specialize in the medical care of children. They examine children and run tests on them to assesses their physical and mental health, aid in developing diagnoses and make recommendations on treatment.

9. Otorhinolaryngologists

Otorhinolaryngologists are medical doctors that are trained to diagnose and manage diseases and disorders in the ear, nose, throat and head. They may have the most training to fit hearing aids because they know how to analyze their patients’ problems from a medical perspective, as well as handle the skills necessary for fitting them. Though any physician that focuses on treating ear problems can perform this task, primary care physicians who handle many patients at once may not be as qualified.

10. Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists are people who help people by engaging in activities that help them develop skills in daily living situations. They are trained to help people rehabilitate themselves, as well as perform physical and mental exercises that stimulate the brain, improve muscle strength and coordination, as well as keep people in a healthy state of mind.

11. Optometrists

Optometrists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and management of eye conditions. They are the best professionals to fit hearing aids because they are trained to be able to perform these tasks with the highest degree of professionalism, especially when it comes to fitting hearing aids for adults. Optometrists also provided a prescription for eyeglasses so that patients may continue wearing them if their hearing loss is due to an issue with their eyes or ears.

Conclusion

Physicians are the most qualified professionals to treat hearing issues, especially those that affect adults. As a patient’s needs arise, they could easily refer them to their primary care physician or another specialist when necessary. But it is not necessary for patients to be seen by their primary care physicians if they have hearing problems. Patients can instead be seen by an audiologist or other hearing health professional who is trained in treating many different types of hearing loss that may arise from various causes.