If you have healthy ears, you must protect them from agents that might negatively affect your hearing. If left untreated, ear issues might lead to permanent hearing loss, which is why you must see an audiologist immediately. Audiologists are medical professionals who evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with all kinds of ear problems. However, a professional and qualified audiologist does more than diagnose and treat ear infections and balance problems. This article highlights the less-known services of an audiologist.

Customises Ear Protection Devices — Most people see an audiologist when they have a problem with their hearing. However, you do not have to wait until something happens to see an audiologist, especially if you spend long durations exposed to noisy environments. For instance, a metal fabrication facility is very noisy most of the day since fabricators spend the day hitting, drilling and grinding metal. The same goes for work environments such as airports and textile mills. If you work in any of these industries, you need customised ear protection to keep your ears safe. Unfortunately, some people buy off-the-shelf ear protection headsets, not knowing that noise levels in different work environments vary. For instance, the noise level at an airport is not comparable to noise in a metal fabrication shop. It means that workers in the two environments cannot benefit from the same ear protection device. An audiologist helps customise ear protection devices based on the decibel levels at your workplace.

Hearing Aids Customisation — Do not confuse protective ear devices with hearing aids because the two are entirely different. As mentioned before, ear protection devices are designed to shield the ears from excess noise. On the other hand, hearing aids help patients hear better. Notably, an audiologist is qualified to prescribe hearing aids to patients of all age groups. However, professional audiologists understand better than sending you to a pharmacy with a prescription note. Ears, even those on the same head, are unique, and similar hearing aids don't help much. An audiologist customises hearing aids based on each ear's shape and needs. It means that you will be walking around with hearing aids that fit and sound right.

Hearing Aids Repair — Quality hearing aids provide instructions on how to program the devices for better service. However, you do not have to go through that process because an audiologist can program the hearing aids for you. What if your hearing aids malfunction? Since they are branded electronic devices, most patients take their hearing aids to the manufacturer's repair outlet. While it is still an option, you can take hearing aids to an audiologist since they are well equipped to provide repair services. Moreover, an audiologist reprograms hearing aids to pre-damage settings, something that brand technicians cannot do.