Finding a Hearing Professional in Florida
Audiologist, hearing aid specialist or ENT? Who does what, how to check a Florida license in two minutes, what to ask at the first visit, and what to bring.
Who should I see for hearing loss?
For a first hearing test as an adult, see an audiologist. If you have ear pain, drainage, sudden hearing loss, dizziness or hearing loss in only one ear, see an ear, nose and throat physician (ENT) first, because those signs can mean a medical problem. If you already know your hearing loss and want hearing aids, a licensed hearing aid specialist can test, fit and adjust them. All three are licensed in Florida and you can check any license online.
Audiologist
A doctoral-level clinician (Au.D.) licensed by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Audiologists diagnose hearing and balance disorders, run full hearing evaluations, fit and program hearing aids, map cochlear implants, treat tinnitus, and provide auditory rehabilitation. See one for your baseline test, for complex or severe loss, for children, and for cochlear implant care.
Hearing aid specialist (hearing instrument specialist)
Licensed by the Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists to test hearing for the purpose of fitting and selling hearing aids. Many are excellent at fitting and follow-up, and their offices are often more numerous in smaller Florida towns. They do not diagnose medical conditions, so a medical or audiological evaluation should come first when there are warning signs.
ENT physician (otolaryngologist)
A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the ear, including infections, earwax, otosclerosis, Meniere's disease and sudden hearing loss, and who performs cochlear implant surgery. Some ENT practices employ audiologists. See an ENT for any red-flag symptom and before any surgery.
Sources: Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology · Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists
How to check a Florida license
The Florida Department of Health's Division of Medical Quality Assurance runs one online lookup for every licensed health care practitioner in the state, including audiologists, speech-language pathologists, hearing aid specialists and physicians. Search by name or license number to confirm the license is clear and active and to see any public discipline.
- Open the MQA license verification search.
- Choose the profession (Audiologist, Hearing Aid Specialist, or Medical Doctor) and enter the last name or license number.
- Confirm the status reads clear and active, and check the discipline section.
- If a name does not appear, ask the office for the practitioner's license number. Florida requires a license to test hearing for the purpose of selling hearing aids.
Source: Florida DOH license verification (MQA Search Services) · Florida Health Source (MQA home)
Questions to ask at the first visit
- May I have a copy of my audiogram and a plain-language explanation of it?
- Which hearing aid models fit my loss, and do they have a telecoil and Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast?
- What is the price broken out: device, fitting, follow-up visits, and service period? What is the price bundled?
- What is the 30-day trial policy under Florida law, and what cancellation fee do you keep?
- Do you use real-ear measurement to verify the fitting?
- How long is the warranty, does it include loss and damage, and what do repairs cost afterward?
- Do you accept Florida Medicaid, my Medicare Advantage hearing benefit, or VA community care?
- Are you tied to one manufacturer, or can you offer several brands?
- What happens if the hearing aids do not help me in the situations I care about most?
Florida's 30-day trial law and buying tips · HLAA-FL financial assistance guide
What to bring
- Your previous audiograms, if any, and your current hearing aids with their app and charger.
- A list of medications, since some are ototoxic, and any history of noise exposure, ear surgery or infections.
- A written list of the three situations where you struggle most (for example, restaurants, church, the phone).
- Your insurance cards and, if applicable, your Medicaid plan or VA information.
- A family member or friend who can describe what they notice and help remember what was said.
- A copy of HLAA's Communication Access Plan if you need captions, an interpreter or written instructions during the appointment.
Ask other Floridians
HLAA-FL does not endorse or refer to individual practitioners, and we do not accept payment for listings. What we can offer is a room full of people who have tried the clinics in your area. Bring your questions to a chapter meeting, or use our suggestion form to tell us about a Florida professional who served you well or badly; that feedback shapes what we share with members.
Questions about hearing professionals
What is the difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid specialist?
An audiologist holds a doctoral degree and is licensed by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to diagnose hearing and balance disorders, fit hearing aids and program cochlear implants. A hearing aid specialist is licensed by the Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists to test hearing for the purpose of fitting and selling hearing aids. Both can fit hearing aids; only an audiologist or physician diagnoses.
How do I verify a hearing professional's license in Florida?
Use the Florida Department of Health's MQA license verification search at mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us. Choose the profession, enter the name or license number, and confirm the status is clear and active. The same search covers audiologists, hearing aid specialists, speech-language pathologists and physicians, and shows any public discipline.
Do I need a referral to see an audiologist in Florida?
Not for a hearing test paid out of pocket or under most private plans. Some Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans require a referral or an in-network provider for the hearing benefit, so check your plan first. Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing exams ordered by a doctor but not hearing aids or fitting exams.
When should I see an ENT instead of an audiologist?
See an ENT physician first for sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in one ear only, ear pain, drainage, dizziness or vertigo, or a history of ear surgery or infections. Those can signal a medical condition that needs treatment before hearing aids. For gradual loss in both ears with no other symptoms, an audiologist is the right first stop.
Not sure where to start?
Our New to Hearing Loss guide walks through the first year, from the first test to the first chapter meeting.