Audiologists and otologists are two sides of the same coin. While both deal with patients and their ears, each deals with a specific aspect of ears and hearing. It’s a common misconception that audiologists are more focused on the external, while otologists on the biological structure, but as you will see, this isn’t necessarily always the case.
What is an audiologist?
Audiologists are doctors who deal specifically with hearing, balance, and similar problems. Most babies have their hearing screened as soon as they’re born. If they fail the screening, then additional steps are taken and hearing tests are performed. Later in life, any patients deal with hearing loss may go to an audiologist, who then performs a series of tests to try and discern exactly where the problem is coming from. They use specific devices, technologies, and procedures to try to determine a course of treatment.
In addition to hearing testing and improvement, audiologists act as a counselor and teacher. They must be prepared to deal with scared, anxious patients who often can’t understand what is being done to them, help families learn to cope with a loved one with hearing loss, potentially help patients learn sign language or lip reading, and devise tactics to improve hearing, like a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
Audiologists may have their own office or work in another doctor’s office, audiology clinic, or hospital. Subspecialties of audiology include pediatrics (working with babies and young children), educational (working with children in educational settings), industrial (working to protect employee hearing in work settings), and geriatric (working with the elderly), among others. They often work with a number of other professionals, such as speech-language pathologists or otologists.
What is an otologist?
Otologists are a branch otolaryngology, which involves ear, nose, and throat diseases. Otologists usually focus specifically on the ear. They focus on the diseases in the ears and perform related surgeries to correct these disorders. In addition to hearing problems, they may also deal with disorders related to vertigo (which can be a result of a problem in the ear), ear infections or pain, and ear or ear nerve tumors. Most of their work is done on the interior. They are also qualified to give hearing tests.
There are a variety of specialties within this branch of medicine as well. Otology often goes hand-in-hand with neurotology, which may focus on a variety of eye and facial muscle issues, and even down into the nose and throat, as these structures are often related, and all are part of the otolaryngology family.
What’s the difference?
Both audiologists and otologists focus largely on the ears and hearing. A doctoral degree and specific licensure are needed to practice either form of medicine. Both careers also offer extreme growth and definite job security, as well as exceptional pay. Both work in medical settings, although same may find themselves drawn to research or teaching, which are certainly options in almost any scientific field. The basic difference lies in their approach to managing the ears.
While audiologists are more focused on managing hearing, otologists are concerned with all issues of the ear. If someone had a tumor that resulted in hearing loss, the otologist would remove the tumor. If the patient went to an audiologist, they would help them learn to cope without hearing.
