After seeing the abbreviations ahead of the audiology profession, you are perhaps wondering whether they are doctors and why they don’t have M.D in their name. Then the main reason is that audiologists use different abbreviations according to the degree they hold. But explore more to learn whether they are doctors or not.
Are audiologists considered doctors?
Unlike otolaryngologists who specialize in treating and diagnosing diseases related to the ears, nose, mouth, and throat, audiologists don’t have a doctorate degree in their field. Although audiologists earn a master’s degree in audiology, they don’t go through complete medical training. Thus they aren’t considered doctors. However, they closely work with other medical experts specialized in ear, nose, mouth, and throat disorders. Likewise, you can also find audiologists working with an ear specialist in Patna.
However, most audiologists have earned a doctor of audiology (Au.D.), equivalent to a Ph.D. Though it’s not a medical degree yet, it makes them an ear doctor. So what’s the difference between these two? Well, the medical training and practice is the major difference between the two. Since the ear doctor in Patna can perform surgery and other treatment procedures related to your condition.
In addition to the degree, they can also earn certificates in audiology or specialize in other fields. For instance, if audiologists have already earned their master’s degree, they can select to get a doctorate degree and later specialize in pediatric audiology. They can also opt to work as an ear doctor in Patna.
Moreover, audiologists are specialized in treating hearing and balance issues generally through non-invasive ways—for instance, fitting hearing aids, including finetuning them for their patients. In addition, they can also perform cochlear implants just like ENT physicians and can also clean wax.
What type of clinical experience do audiologists have?
Well, those who are looking to become an ear specialist in Patna, those students should pursue a degree in audiology and also finish their clinical experience rotation. These include working under professional audiologists with a variety of clinical settings and patients. However, they must have clinical experience in the following areas:
- Audiology/ medical practices
- Private practices
- Community clinics
- Industrial hearing services
- Hospitals
- Educational agencies
- Universities or college clinics
Generally, clinical experience helps future audiologists to give them the proper exposure of what it feels like working with different people of variable demographics. Even it challenges the practitioners to learn and grow in real-life situations. Further, the clinical experience helps them to learn how to make the right decision as a professional. Hence the clinical experience is what makes the audiologists a doctor of audiology.
Conclusion
Though audiologists aren’t considered ear doctors as both have two different works to do, they are still called doctors of audiology because of their education which is equivalent to the doctoral degree. But it’s essential to know the credentials of the audiologists as it can help you find the right audiologists as per your needs.
