An otolaryngologist is a medical doctor specializing in diseases and disorders of the ears, nose, and throat. That’s why people often refer to them as ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENTs). But not every ENT doctor has extensive clinical and surgical experience when it comes to hearing loss — in fact, it’s actually quite rare to find ENTs who dedicate all their time to hearing loss.

What many people don’t know is that it’s totally possible to see an ENT doctor who specializes in hearing loss, no matter where in the world you are — and best of all, without leaving your home.

Dr. Luciano Moreira is a true pioneer in TeleHealth and began seeing patients with hearing loss from around the world this way back in 2020. Since then, Dr. Luciano Moreira has been caring for hundreds of patients from all continents every month through TeleHealth. He is a well-known name in the field of hearing loss and ear surgery, with decades of experience in otosclerosis surgery, cochlear implant surgery, and all types of ear and hearing-related procedures. His clinic is located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, in Copacabana, but the internet allows him to help people with hearing loss from any country.

 

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Uma publicação compartilhada por Luciano Moreira (@drlucianootorrino)

ENT Doctor for Hearing Loss: Dr. Luciano Moreira

Dr. Luciano Moreira is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the Brazilian Academy of Otolaryngology. He studied under Dr. Georges Portmann at the Georges Portmann Foundation in Bordeaux, France.

He has dedicated his clinical and surgical practice to hearing loss and hearing-related surgeries (stapedectomy, cochlear implant surgery, tympanoplasty, and more) for over 25 years.

Dr. Luciano Moreira is married to Paula Pfeifer, a Brazilian author with hearing loss who leads the largest digital community of hearing aid users in Latin America. Together, they are committed to promoting hearing rehabilitation and helping transform the lives of countless people with hearing loss.

If you don’t speak Portuguese, don’t worry — Dr. Luciano Moreira speaks fluent French, English, and Spanish. You can contact him HERE (Whatspp).

ENT doctor for hearing loss: the challenges

A common complaint from people living in places like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France is how hard it is to get seen by a doctor who specializes in their specific health condition. The healthcare screening system is often designed in a way that prevents direct access to specialists.

Another big challenge is the extremely high cost of surgeries and appointments with medical specialists. That’s why seeing a Brazilian ENT doctor who specializes in hearing loss comes with a major benefit: the cost of the consultation and surgeries is much lower when you factor in the current exchange rates for the US dollar, euro, and Brazilian real.

Some countries, like Turkey, are famous for medical tourism. But when people hear “medical tourism,” they usually only think of cosmetic procedures. They forget that serious health issues — like hearing loss — can also benefit from these competitive advantages.

What’s the difference between an Audiologist and an ENT Doctor specialized in hearing loss?

When someone starts noticing signs of hearing loss, one of the most common questions is: “Should I see an audiologist or an ENT doctor?”

The truth is, both professionals are important — but they have very different roles. And knowing which one to see first can make a big difference in how quickly and effectively your hearing issue is diagnosed and treated.

ENT Doctor Specialized in Hearing Loss: The First Step

An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor — also known as an otolaryngologist — is a medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat health conditions that affect the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. When an ENT specializes in hearing loss, they go even further: they’ve dedicated their career to understanding and treating the many possible medical causes behind hearing problems.

This means they can:

• Order and interpret hearing tests
• Diagnose the exact cause of the hearing loss
• Prescribe medications if needed
• Recommend surgery if necessary (like cochlear implants, stapedectomy, etc.)
• Rule out serious conditions (such as tumors, infections, or neurological issues)

Because hearing loss can have many different causes — from simple earwax blockage to more complex inner ear diseases — it’s important to start with a medical evaluation. Only a doctor can give you a full diagnosis.

What does an Audiologist do?

An audiologist is a highly trained professional who focuses on testing hearing and helping people manage hearing loss. They are not medical doctors, so they don’t diagnose or treat diseases — but they are experts in:

• Performing hearing tests
• Fitting and adjusting hearing aids
• Providing hearing rehabilitation
• Helping with tinnitus and balance-related issues

In many cases, after an ENT has diagnosed the cause of hearing loss and ruled out anything serious, the audiologist becomes your go-to person for long-term support and hearing aid management.

Why seeing an ENT Doctor first is so important

Starting with an ENT doctor specialized in hearing loss ensures that no medical cause is missed. It’s the safest and smartest first step. If the problem is something that can be treated medically or surgically, the ENT will guide you. If hearing aids or rehabilitation are needed, they’ll refer you to a trusted audiologist.

Skipping this step and going directly to an audiologist might delay a proper diagnosis — and in some cases, could mean missing a treatable or more serious condition, like a cholesteatoma.

Taking care of your hearing starts with understanding what’s going on inside your ears — and for that, seeing an ENT doctor specialized in hearing loss is the best place to begin.