Getting referred to a new health care professional can feel like getting tossed around like a hot potato. However, there is incredible benefit to getting more specialized care. There are hearing care specialties just like there are potato specialties. If you’re looking for mashed potatoes instead of French fries, you need to know the right place to go.
With hearing loss, you may be wondering the difference between an audiologist vs. an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor). While similarities exist between them, key differences make them very distinct. Not everyone with hearing loss needs to see both professionals, but doing so may provide you with the right multidisciplinary hearing care.
Let’s look at the differences between these two professionals and discover which is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Audiologists and ENTs are hearing care professionals with different specializations.
- Audiologists treat hearing loss and balance with solutions like hearing aids.
- ENTs treat ear, nose, and throat medical conditions with surgery and medication.
ENT vs Audiologist: Which One Do You Actually Need?
It can feel confusing trying to decide between an audiologist and an ENT. The lines between them get a little blurry. Both are hearing care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss issues. The difference is in the specialization.
If you’re wondering which one to see first, a helpful determinant is the speed of the onset of hearing loss. If you have gradual hearing loss, a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist is best. They can help you with hearing aid fittings, cochlear implants, and ongoing hearing care support. If sudden hearing loss arises, it’s best to see an ENT immediately to determine the cause and if medical attention is needed.
What Is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a university-trained hearing care professional who can evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, balance issues, and tinnitus (a ringing in the ears and/or head). They are often the first person you will see for hearing loss.
An audiologist will examine your personal and medical history, carry out a visual exam of the ear for blockages or damage, perform a middle ear check if indicated, and evaluate your ability to hear sounds. Other services include hearing aid fittings, earwax cleanings, cochlear implant evaluations, tinnitus treatment, and ongoing care.
When an audiologist is unable to identify the cause of hearing loss, they may refer you to an ENT for further testing and evaluation since an audiologist is unable to perform surgeries or prescribe medications.
Audiologist vs. ENT? See an audiologist if your hearing loss involves:
- Gradual hearing loss
- Ringing in the ears and/or head
- Balance issues or disequilibrium
- A need for hearing aids
- Earwax buildup
Ready to Talk With an Audiologist?
An audiologist can help you understand your hearing and find the right solutions for your needs. Find a trusted hearing care professional near you through HearingLoss.com.
What Is an ENT?
An ENT, also known as an otolaryngologist, is a physician who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat. Some ENTs proceed to study for an additional two years to specialize in complex issues of the ears. They are called otologists or neurotologists.
An ENT treats hearing loss particularly when an illness, infection, or injury is involved. They can identify complex hearing loss causes with the help of diagnostic imaging and carry out surgical procedures for any structural issues that are found.
In conductive hearing loss, sound cannot move through the outer and middle ear. In these cases, an ENT can often correct the issues with medication or surgery. In cases of sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss, medicine or surgery are not options and a referral to an audiologist may be necessary.
If sudden deafness arises, it is imperative to get medical attention immediately to avoid permanent hearing loss that could be treated. While some people with sudden hearing loss recover, immediate medical attention from an ENT is necessary to achieve the best outcome.
Audiologist or an ENT? See an ENT if your hearing loss is accompanied by:
- Sudden hearing loss
- Ear pain
- Injury, illness, or infection
- Severe dizziness or balance issues
- Underlying conditions
Quick Answers About Audiologist vs. ENT
Are ENTs and audiologists the same?
No. An audiologist performs hearing evaluations and provides rehabilitation such as hearing aid fittings, tinnitus treatment, and ongoing care. An ENT is a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ear, nose, and throat with imaging, medication, and surgery. They often work together. If an audiologist is unable to determine the cause of hearing loss, a referral to an ENT is necessary to explore possible medical causes. About 1.5 billion people have some form of hearing loss. If you are having difficulty hearing, schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist or seek medical care from an ENT for sudden hearing loss, ear pain, infection, drainage, or significant dizziness.
Can an ENT prescribe hearing aids?
Yes, an ENT can evaluate your ears, diagnose causes of hearing loss, and prescribe hearing aids when needed. However, an audiologist commonly handles hearing aid selection, fittings, and follow-up care, and can also prescribe hearing aids. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), only about 1 in 5 people who could benefit from hearing aids use them. If you’re interested in exploring hearing aids, an audiologist is the best place to determine which ones fit your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
When should audiologists refer to an ENT?
Audiologists should refer to an ENT when symptoms or test findings suggest a medical condition rather than straightforward, stable hearing loss. Some reasons to refer to an ENT include sudden hearing loss, ear pain, drainage, bleeding, or other underlying medical conditions. Roughly 85 percent of those who get treated for sudden hearing loss promptly by an otolaryngologist recover at least some or all their hearing. If any of these signs are present, see an ENT as soon as possible.
Do I need both an ENT and an audiologist for hearing loss?
You may need both specialists, depending on the possible cause of your hearing loss. An audiologist tests your hearing and helps manage hearing loss with solutions such as hearing aids, while an ENT diagnoses and treats medical ear conditions. Hearing loss is not just a communication issue, but is also associated with depression, social isolation, and increased risk of falls in older people. Start with a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist to determine the care you need to support your overall health.
How HearingLoss.com Can Determine the Right Provider
HearingLoss.com can help you take the next step to find a trusted hearing care professional. Take the online hearing screener to identify possible hearing concerns, then find a provider near you for a comprehensive evaluation.
An audiologist can determine the type and degree of hearing loss, fit and verify hearing aids, and provide ongoing adjustments. If further testing is needed, they may refer you to an ENT. If you are near Poulsbo, WA, the hearing experts at Hearing Advantage, Inc., are ready to help.
References
- Audiologists vs. Hearing Instrument Specialists vs. ENTs. American Academy of Audiology.
- https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/what-is-an-audiologist/audiologists-vs-hearing-instrument-specialists-vs-ents/. Accessed August 31, 2026.
- Sudden Deafness. Hearing Loss Association of America. https://www.hearingloss.org/understanding-hearing-loss/types-causes-and-treatments/sudden-deafness/. Accessed August 31, 2026.
- Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing. Accessed August 31, 2026.
- Deafness and Hearing Loss. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss#tab=tab_2. Accessed August 31, 2026.
Hearing Advantage, Inc.
At Hearing Advantage, Inc., in Poulsbo, WA, we truly believe that better hearing leads to a better life. A strong patient-provider relationship based on honesty, integrity, and values is what we strive for, and we feel that this is the best approach to making sure you don’t miss any of the precious moments in your life.
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An online hearing screener is an important step, but it can’t replace a comprehensive hearing exam by a HearingLoss.com professional. Our goal is to deliver expert hearing loss solutions that improve your life.
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