Which type of health care professional specializes in hearing and balance disorders?

An audiologist is a health care professional who specializes in the identification, assessment, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. They conduct various tests to evaluate a person's hearing abilities and can recommend rehabilitation strategies, such as hearing aids or auditory therapy, to help individuals manage their conditions effectively. Their expertise includes working with both children and adults, addressing issues related to auditory processing, and providing counseling and education regarding hearing health.

Otolaryngologists, while also involved in ear-related issues, focus more broadly on medical and surgical treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat, which is beyond the specialized skill set of an audiologist. Neurologists primarily deal with disorders of the nervous system, which may include some conditions affecting hearing but do not focus specifically on hearing or balance. Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation, dealing with restoring function after injury or illness, rather than focusing on auditory or balance disorders.