An ear nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist, ENT doctor) attends medical school to medically treat problems in the ears, nose, and throat. The otolaryngologist's education and training are not the same as hearing doctors. Hearing doctors obtain education and specific training to serve the hard of hearing. Audiologists attend audiology school, and their focus is hearing, balance issues, and amplification devices.

Audiologists perform specialized testing to diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss, make the appropriate recommendation if medical treatment is needed and make the appropriate recommendation if someone is a candidate for hearing aids.  Hearing doctors work closely with physicians, specifically ear nose and throat specialist to provide them with comprehensive test results when a patient suffers from problems in their ears. 

Otolaryngologists are medical physicians trained in medicine, surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians.

Otolaryngologists diagnose and manage diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx (voice box), mouth, and throat, as well as structures of the neck and face. We work closely with ENT doctors to refer those patients who might need medical treatment and who may need medical clearance for hearing aids.

When patients come to us for adjustments and complain of a medical issue such as fullness in the ears, we need to refer them to an otolaryngologist as well if we obtain an abnormal tympanogram.