Audiologists are hearing care providers who assess and manage issues with hearing, balance and tinnitus. They routinely educate their patients on the impacts of hearing loss and fit them with protective hearing devices, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices.  To be called an Audiologist, one has to have earned either a Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program in Audiology and completed a one year internship program.

Where do Audiologists work?

An audiologist may work in many types of settings including:

  • Hospitals
  • Retail and corporate storefronts.
  • Private practice clinics (like our offices in Morristown and Hackettstown)
  • ENT Physician's offices
  • University clinics
  • K-12 school systems
  • Government, Military and VA facilities

Why Should Someone see an Audiologist?

You or a loved one should see an Audiologist if you suspect that you (or your loved one) might have a hearing loss. Common signs of hearing loss or auditory processing issues include:

  • Turning the volume up on the radio or television
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy listening environments, like restaurants
  • Saying that people often sound like they are mumbling
  • Difficulty following oral instructions
  • Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
  • Difficulty hearing on the phone
  • Ringing or other noise in the ears when no sound is present (tinnitus)

Why is an Audiologist Essential to Hearing Healthcare?

Hearing plays an important role in human communication and the way we interact with the world and loved ones around us. Untreated hearing loss can have significant negative consequences on an individual's physical, mental, and social health. Early identification, accurate assessment and effective individualized treatment of hearing loss is essential to ensuring the best possible outcome and the highest possible quality of life.

What Questions Should be Asked When Seeing an Audiologist?

If the most appropriate form of treatment is hearing aids, we recommend asking the following questions of their hearing care provider:

  1. Are you a licensed, certified and experienced Audiologist?
  2. Are you qualified to recognize for any/ all medical abnormalities relating to hearing discovered?
  3. Do you refer to the appropriate physician for medical evaluation when possible  for medical or surgical treatment is indicated?
  4. Do you give a thorough review and explanation of hearing exam findings and options for treatment, which may include the fitting of hearing aids and/or other assistive devices?
  5. Will you send a courtesy report to my Primary Physician with the test results?
  6. Do you have, as part of your solution repertoire, multiple manufacturers, to provide the greatest degree of treatment options, in this Audiology practice ?
  7. Will you educate me and my family as to the warranty and loss and damage coverage on the hearing aids?
  8. Will I receive instruction and counseling on how to operate and care for my devices, as well as how to adjust to wearing them?
  9. Will the performance of my hearing aids be validated with Real Ear Measurements?
  10. Should repairs be required, are you available on a timely basis?

If you suspect that you or a loved one are experiencing hearing difficulties and are in the North Jersey or Central Jersey areas, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment for an evaluation

‍

Written by
Reviewed by
Craig T. Barth, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
Founder & Audiologist
Read full bio

Craig was drawn to Audiology through a curious route. His undergraduate college major was Pre-Med, with a secondary concentration in Music. He realized his own personal music appreciation cannot be fully experienced by someone with hearing impairment.