When your hearing changes, the first hurdle is not the hearing loss. It is figuring out who to call. Search for help and you will find ENTs, audiologists, hearing aid shops and over-the-counter devices, all offering to fix the same problem. They are not interchangeable, and picking the wrong starting point can mean a delay that matters.
This guide explains exactly what an audiologist does, what an ENT does, which one to see first for common symptoms, and why having both under one roof removes most of the guesswork.
Quick answer: An audiologist is a doctoral-level hearing specialist who tests hearing and balance, fits hearing aids and manages tinnitus. An ENT (otolaryngologist) is a medical doctor and surgeon who diagnoses and treats the medical causes of hearing problems, such as infections, fluid, eardrum problems and sudden hearing loss. For gradual hearing loss in both ears, an audiologist is a good starting point. For sudden hearing loss, ear pain, drainage, dizziness or symptoms in only one ear, see an ENT first, and see them quickly.
What Does an Audiologist Do?
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, audiologists are experts who prevent, diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders for people of all ages. They complete 8 to 10 years of education and clinical training and hold a doctoral degree, usually an Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology).
Audiologists:
- Perform comprehensive hearing tests
- Fit and program hearing aids and assistive devices
- Evaluate and manage tinnitus
- Assess balance problems
- Screen hearing in newborns and children
What Does an ENT Do?
An ENT, or otolaryngologist, is a physician who has completed medical school and surgical residency training in conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. For hearing problems, an ENT:
- Examines the ear canal and eardrum for wax, infection, fluid or damage
- Diagnoses medical causes of hearing loss and ringing
- Prescribes medication, including steroids for sudden hearing loss
- Performs procedures and surgery, such as ear tubes for persistent middle ear fluid
- Orders imaging or other tests when a hearing change needs further investigation
ENT vs. Audiologist at a Glance
| Audiologist (Au.D.) | ENT (MD or DO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Doctor of Audiology | Medical school plus surgical residency |
| Main focus | Measuring and rehabilitating hearing and balance | Diagnosing and treating medical and surgical causes |
| Hearing tests | Yes, this is their core expertise | Orders and interprets them |
| Hearing aids | Fits and programs them | Clears you medically when needed |
| Prescribes medication | No | Yes |
| Performs surgery | No | Yes |
Who Should You See First? A Symptom Guide
| Your symptom | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gradual hearing loss in both ears | Audiologist | A hearing test shows the type and degree of loss |
| Sudden hearing loss in one ear | ENT, right away | Treatment works best when started early |
| Ringing in both ears with hearing loss | Either; ideally both | Hearing loss and tinnitus are often linked |
| Ringing in only one ear | ENT | One-sided symptoms need a medical look |
| Ear pain, drainage or fever | ENT | Suggests infection or another medical cause |
| Plugged or full ear for more than two weeks | ENT | Could be fluid, wax or eustachian tube problems |
| Dizziness or vertigo | ENT, with audiology balance testing | Several ear conditions can cause it |
| Child with speech delay or failed hearing screen | Both | Hearing testing plus an ear exam |
Sudden hearing loss: do not wait
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders explains that sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rapid, unexplained loss of hearing, often in one ear, and that treatment delayed more than two to four weeks is less likely to reverse it. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery sudden hearing loss guideline recommends a hearing test as soon as possible, within 14 days of symptoms, and notes that steroids may be offered within two weeks of onset. This is one situation where having an audiologist and an ENT in the same office can save critical days.
Who Treats Tinnitus?
Both do, and the best results usually come from both. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that an estimated 10% to 25% of adults have tinnitus, and it names otolaryngologists and audiologists as the two key specialists involved in evaluation.
The ENT looks for treatable medical causes, such as earwax, infection or medication side effects. The audiologist measures your hearing and evaluates the tinnitus itself. According to the NIDCD, there is no FDA-approved medication specifically for tinnitus, and proven management approaches include hearing aids, sound therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. See how we approach tinnitus at Elite ENT.
What About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids?
OTC hearing aids can be a reasonable option for some adults. The FDA states that OTC hearing aids are intended for people 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The FDA also lists red flags that mean you should see a doctor first, including:
- Fluid, pus or blood from the ear in the past six months
- Ear pain or discomfort
- A lot of earwax or a feeling something is in the ear
- Severe dizziness
- Hearing that changed suddenly or fluctuates
- Hearing loss or ringing in only one ear
If any of those apply, get a medical evaluation before buying a device. If they do not, a professional hearing test still tells you whether your loss is actually in the mild to moderate range. Learn about prescription hearing aids at Elite ENT.
Why One Office Makes This Easier
At Elite ENT, you do not have to guess. Our audiologist, Mary Ferriera, Au.D., and board-certified otolaryngologist Dr. Luis Vazquez, DO work in the same north Phoenix office. A hearing test and a medical ear exam can happen in a coordinated visit, and results do not have to travel between practices before a treatment decision is made. Explore our audiology services and hearing loss care.
If your main symptom is ear pressure or popping, read why your ears pop when you swallow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ENTs do hearing tests?
ENTs order and interpret hearing tests, and many ENT practices have audiologists on staff who perform them. At Elite ENT, hearing tests are performed by our audiologist in the same office as your ENT visit.
Is an audiologist a doctor?
Audiologists hold a doctoral degree, usually a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.), but they are not medical doctors. They do not prescribe medication or perform surgery. ENTs are physicians (MD or DO).
Is sudden hearing loss an emergency?
It should be treated as urgent. Treatment is most effective when started early, and guidelines recommend a hearing test within 14 days of onset. Contact an ENT the same day you notice it.
Who should I see for ringing in my ears?
Ideally both. An ENT checks for medical causes such as earwax, infection or medication effects, and an audiologist measures your hearing and evaluates the tinnitus. Ringing in only one ear should be seen by an ENT.
Do I need a referral to see an audiologist?
It depends on your insurance plan and whether the test is diagnostic. Some plans require a physician referral or order. Our team can check your benefits before your visit, and our guide to ENT visit costs covers the basics.
Schedule a Hearing Evaluation in Phoenix
Call (602) 802-8240 or request an appointment for hearing testing. If you have had sudden hearing loss, tell us when you call so we can see you promptly. Se habla español.
Medical Sources
- Who Are Audiologists, and What Do They Do?, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH)
- Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update), American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Tinnitus, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH)
- OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. If you have severe pain, trouble breathing, high fever, or sudden hearing loss, seek care right away.