Usually you will consult an audiologist for hearing impairment.  Audiologists have advanced university degrees in Audiology, specializing in the study of hearing disorders and rehabilitation.  Both Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists are non-medical rehabilitation professionals.  Both of these hearing healthcare professionals are educated in the identification of potential ear diseases and disorders that require medical treatment.  In such cases, patients would then be referred to an Otologist or Otolaryngologist, the medical specialists who treat diseases and disorders of the ear. 

Audiologist

An audiologist is a professional specializing in testing, monitoring, and diagnosing disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing or balance problems. Audiologist also help design and implement personal and industrial hearing safety programs, and provide special fitting ear plugs and other hearing protection equipment to help prevent hearing loss.

Otolaryngologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating a variety of disorders of the ear, nose and throat (ENT), as well as performing surgery of the ear, nose and throat.