An audiologist is a licensed professional who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Audiologists are clinically, academically and professionally trained to determine which hearing losses require medical referral and/or assistive listening devices. Audiologist’s often focus on diagnosis and pediatric patients.

Hearing instrument specialists are also qualified trained and licensed to evaluate hearing and fit hearing aids. Their focus is on treating sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss related to inner ear) and they are often more experience in fitting hearing aids.