ENT or hearing aid specialist: who to see first?

The ENT doctor: diagnose and treat

An ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist is a doctor. They examine the ear, make a diagnosis, treat infections, remove earwax, order tests or prescribe treatment, and operate if needed.

The hearing aid specialist: measure, fit, follow up

A hearing aid specialist measures your hearing, chooses a device with you if it helps, fits it, adjusts it and follows up over time. They do not treat ear diseases: when in doubt, they refer you to an ENT.

Who to see first?

• See the ENT first for pain, discharge, ear infection, dizziness, tinnitus in one ear, or sudden hearing loss — the latter is an emergency
• Start with a hearing assessment if the difficulty came on gradually: TV too loud, hard conversations in restaurants, relatives repeating themselves
• Both together: often the simplest path, one treats, the other fits

In Maârif, Les Princesses

AudioLik is at 106B rue Al Jounaid, Les Princesses, Maârif. The hearing assessment is free, by appointment, and you leave with your results explained. If we notice a sign that needs a doctor, we tell you and refer you to an ENT.