WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AUDIOLOGY DOCTOR & MY ENT DOCTOR?
Dr. Vowell specializes in the diagnostic evaluation of hearing & balance disorders and non medical treatment of hearing disorders. She sees patients of all ages, from newborns through adulthood. Your ENT physician specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat and provides medical and surgical treatment of those areas if needed. Even at your ENT office, the ENT physician is not directly trained or certified to provide diagnostic hearing and balance evaluations, but they may have an Audiologist they contract with to provide those services in their office. 90% of patients have hearing loss that is not medically or surgically treatable and it’s therefore more cost effective and faster to get an appointment with your Audiologist. Dr. Vowell performs extensive diagnostic testing and when medical or surgical intervention is indicated, she refers to either your primary physician or several local ENT physicians she feels provide quality patient care. Audiology doctors specialize in all aspects of amplification including communication strategies, aural rehabiliatation programs, and all the latest hearing aid and assistive technology such as bluetooth devices. ENT physicians and family practice physicians don't have the time to keep up with the latest hearing aid technology trends which is very important that your hearing specialist know!
