Can an Audiologist Detect Inner Ear Problems?

Inner ear problems can affect more than just your hearing—they can disrupt your balance, orientation, and daily life. Whether you’re struggling with sudden hearing loss, dizziness, or persistent tinnitus, you might ask: Can an audiologist detect inner ear problems?

The answer is yes—audiologists play a key role in diagnosing inner ear issues, especially those related to hearing and balance. However, their scope differs from that of an ENT specialist. Understanding the difference between an audiologist and vs ENT and how both contribute to diagnosing inner ear disorders is essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how audiologists detect inner ear problems, the tests they use, and when you might need to consult an ENT. We’ll also explore their role in vestibular issue detection and what treatments are available.

Understanding the Inner Ear: More Than Just Hearing

The inner ear is made up of:

• Cochlea – responsible for hearing
  
  
• Vestibular system – controls balance and spatial orientation
  
  

Conditions affecting the inner ear can lead to:

• Hearing loss
  
  
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  
  
• Vertigo or dizziness
  
  
• Ear pressure
  
  
• Unsteadiness or imbalance
  
  

These symptoms often overlap, making diagnosing inner ear disorders a delicate process requiring advanced expertise.

What Does an Audiologist Do?

An audiologist is a qualified hearing healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists typically hold a Master’s Degree or a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) and are trained in interpreting auditory and vestibular test results.

At The Hearing Centre, audiologists use a wide range of non-invasive tools to assess inner ear function and help determine if a referral to an ENT is necessary.

Common Audiologist Services:

• Pure Tone Audiometry Test
  
  
• Tympanometry
  
  
• ABR and ASSR Tests
  
  
  

How Does an Audiologist Detect Inner Ear Problems?

Pure-Tone Audiometry

This test evaluates your ability to hear sounds of different frequencies and volumes. If it reveals sensorineural hearing loss, it’s often an indicator of inner ear damage.

Learn more about this diagnostic tool here: Pure Tone Audiometry Test at The Hearing Centre

Speech Audiometry

Audiologists assess how well you hear and understand speech. Poor results may suggest inner ear or auditory nerve damage.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

OAEs test the cochlea’s hair cells. A lack of OAEs suggests inner ear dysfunction, especially when combined with other hearing tests.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

The ABR test helps evaluate the hearing nerve and brainstem’s response to sound, ideal for infants, unconscious patients, or suspected neurological conditions.

Tympanometry

While primarily for middle ear analysis, tympanometry also helps rule out outer/middle ear causes before focusing on inner ear problems.

Vestibular Testing

Audiologists also perform tests to assess vestibular function, critical for balance. These include:

• Videonystagmography (VNG)
  
  
• Rotational chair testing
  
  
• Computerized posturography
  
  

This testing is crucial for vestibular issue detection and can highlight conditions like:

• Meniere’s disease
  
  
• Vestibular neuritis
  
  
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  
  

Diagnosing Inner Ear: The Audiologist’s Role

Through these tests, audiologists can identify whether the hearing loss is sensorineural (linked to the inner ear) or conductive (from the outer or middle ear).

They can also detect:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)
  
  
• Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis)
  
  

Audiologists do not prescribe medications or perform surgery. If deeper medical intervention is needed, such as for a middle ear infection or cochlear implant surgery, a referral to an ENT is made.

Audiologist vs ENT: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to an audiologist vs ENT, the line is clear.

If you have hearing or balance issues, start with an audiologist. If your case involves infections, tumors, or persistent vertigo, you’ll likely be referred to an ENT.

Want to know more about this partnership? Read: Cochlear Implant vs Hearing Aid

Vestibular Issue Detection and Balance Testing

Dizziness and imbalance are often signs of vestibular dysfunction. Audiologists at The Hearing Centre conduct specialized tests to pinpoint the exact cause.

Vestibular Disorders Audiologists Can Help Detect:

• Meniere’s Disease
  
  
• Vestibular Neuritis
  
  
• Labyrinthitis
  
  
• Acoustic Neuroma
  
  
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  
  

Common Symptoms:

• Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  
  
• Blurry vision during head movements
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  
• Loss of balance
  
  

These tests are non-invasive and essential in deciding whether further neurological evaluation is necessary.

Treatment Options After Diagnosis

After identifying an inner ear issue, audiologists offer management plans that may include:

Hearing Aids

If hearing loss is confirmed, audiologists may recommend a suitable hearing device based on your lifestyle and hearing needs. Popular hearing aid brands include:

• Signia
  
  
• Phonak
  
  
• Starkey
  
  
• Resound
  
  

These devices come with various features such as Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and noise-cancelling technology.

Cochlear Implants

For individuals with profound or severe hearing loss who do not benefit from traditional hearing aids, cochlear implants may be suggested. This surgical option bypasses damaged portions of the inner ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

Audiologists assist in the evaluation process, programming, and follow-up care for cochlear implant users.

Ear Infections and Medical Conditions

In some cases, audiologists may detect signs of infections or structural problems in the ear, such as fungal infections or chronic fluid buildup. Symptoms like pain, discharge, or inflammation may indicate the need for medical treatment.

Although audiologists do not treat these conditions, they will refer patients to an ENT specialist for diagnosis and appropriate care.

Conclusion 

Audiologists are crucial in the early detection and management of inner ear disorders, especially those involving hearing and balance. While they don’t perform surgeries or prescribe medication, their diagnostic expertise is essential for identifying when a condition requires further medical evaluation.

So, the next time you notice changes in your hearing or experience unexplained dizziness, don’t hesitate. Schedule a hearing evaluation with an audiologist at The Hearing Centre Singapore—your first step toward better ear health and peace of mind.