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Can an Audiologist Diagnose an Ear Infection?

Writer's picture: Paul JacksonPaul Jackson

Ear infections are extremely common and most people will experience one at some point in their lives. Many ear infections clear up on their own after three days, but some will require treatment. If you have an ongoing ear infection, you might be wondering if you can visit an audiologist, rather than your GP. So, can an audiologist see an ear infection?


Although audiologists might be able to see an ear infection when they examine your ear, they are not able to diagnose or treat ear infections. If an audiologist believes a patient has an ear infection, they will refer them to their GP for an official diagnosis and treatment. So, if you have symptoms of an ear infection it’s best to visit your GP directly. 


Keep reading for more detailed information about how ear infections are diagnosed and the ear problems that audiologists are able to help with. 


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Can Audiologists Treat Ear Infections?


No, audiologists are not medical doctors and we are unable to treat ear infections. If you come to an audiologist for ear wax removal or a hearing check and your audiologist notices that you have an ear infection, they will refer you to your GP for diagnosis and treatment. 


If you have an ear infection you should visit your GP directly for treatment.


How Are Ear Infections Diagnosed?


Your GP will typically diagnose an ear infection based on the symptoms you describe and a physical exam. This might include:


Otoscopy


A GP will use a lighted scope (an otoscope) to look inside your ear canal, eardrum and other parts of your middle ear to see an infection. A healthy eardrum will be clear and pinkish-grey, while an infected eardrum will typically look swollen and red.


Tympanometry


This is a test that measures the amount of movement of the eardrum to indicate how well the middle ear is functioning. This will typically only be used if there is doubt about the diagnosis or if the infection hasn’t responded to previous treatment.


An instrument (a tympanometer) with a small probe is inserted into the ear canal. The probe will send air into the ear canal while also emitting a low tone. 


The microphone on the probe will measure how your eardrum moves in response to the sound and air pressure. If your eardrum doesn’t move much, it could be a sign of fluid in the middle ear indicating an infection. Many audiologists, including our team at Hearing Excellence Clinic, are also able to perform this test.


Hearing test


If you are worried that an ongoing or previous ear infection has led to hearing loss, you should get a hearing test. This can be conducted by an audiologist or your GP.


Although hearing loss caused by ear infections is usually mild and temporary, if it persists it’s best to get your hearing checked by a qualified audiologist at a hearing care clinic.


When Should You See an Audiologist for an Ear Infection?


If you have an ongoing ear infection that has lasted for more than three days, then you’ll likely require antibiotics which can only be prescribed by your GP or another medical professional. If you are unsure if you require emergency care due to a severe ear infection, you should call 111. You should not visit an audiologist if you believe you have an ear infection. 


However, if a past ear infection has affected your hearing, you can visit an audiologist for a hearing check. Hearing loss can be caused by repeated or untreated ear infections. So, if you have noticed a change in your hearing after recovering from an ear infection, a full hearing test by an audiologist is recommended, especially if the hearing loss has lasted for more than a week. 



Private Hearing Tests in Sheffield and Barnsley


At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we offer private hearing health checks and tests in our clinics in Sheffield and Barnsley. As the Lead Audiologist and Clinic Director, I have over 22 years of qualified experience in the private audiology sector and have worked with some of the biggest names in the UK. Having previously worked as the Head of Audiology for Bayfield Opticians and Audiologists, I set up the Hearing Excellence Clinic to help clients with their hearing on a more personal level.


If you’ve experienced hearing loss after an ear infection, visit our Hearing Test page for more information or to book your appointment online today. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with our team if you need some advice about whether a hearing test is the right service for you.


FAQs


Can an Audiologist Give Antibiotics?


No, audiologists cannot prescribe antibiotics, or any other prescription medication, because they didn’t attend medical school and aren’t medical doctors. However, audiologists can refer you to your GP for further treatment if they notice you have an ear infection during an appointment. Audiologists can also diagnose hearing loss caused by ear infections and hearing loss caused by ear wax buildup.


Can an Audiologist Check Inner Ear Problems?


Although some audiologists have the necessary qualifications to treat inner ear

problems, it’s often best to visit a medical professional, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, who is fully qualified to diagnose and treat these problems. 


ENT doctors can diagnose inner ear issues, such as balance disorders, through a series of tests, including:


  • Otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing. This involves a probe being inserted into the ear canal which sends sounds to the cochlea. If the cochlea is functioning formally, the hair cells there will send an echo back. A weak or absent echo indicates hearing loss and a problem with the inner ear.

  • Eye movement recording (VNG) testing. This diagnostic procedure helps to identify balance disorders and problems with your inner ear by recording involuntary eye movements, called nystagmus, in response to various stimuli.

  • Vestibular assessment. This is a series of tests that evaluate the inner ear’s balance system. It can include a detailed medical history and balance testing. 


Who Can Check My Ears for an Infection?


Either a general practitioner (GP) or pharmacist can check your ears for an infection. Who you should see for your ear infection will depend on the circumstances of the infection:


  • If you have had an ear infection for more than three days, the pain is severe or you have frequent ear infections, you should book an appointment with your GP. They will be able to diagnose the issue and prescribe any medication required. 

  • If you have an ear infection but don’t think it warrants a trip to your GP, you can visit a pharmacist instead. They will be able to recommend over-the-counter medication, such as ear drops, and let you know if you need further treatment from a GP.

  • If you have had frequent or severe ear infections in the past and you think it has affected your hearing, you should visit an audiologist for a hearing test. They will be able to assess your hearing, determine the cause of any hearing loss and recommend treatment.


If you have other symptoms, such as a fever, vomiting, dizziness, a sore throat, swelling around the ear or fluid coming out of the ear, or you have a long-term medical condition or weakened immune system, you should call 111. They will be able to give you more specific information about the best treatment and where to go. You should also call 111 if you have a child under 2 with an earache in both ears.


What Conditions Does an Audiologist Treat?


Audiologists can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions related to hearing and the ear, including:



Audiologists can also select and custom-fit hearing aids and reprogram or repair existing hearing aids. However, they are unable to diagnose and treat ear infections and this will require a referral to your GP.


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