How to Find the Best Audiologist
Do you suspect you or a loved one has suffered hearing loss? Or perhaps you already wear hearing aids, but have moved to a new area. Finding the right audiologist can be a challenge. An audiologist is an important part of the team working with you for your overall health and well being. Just as it’s important to take the time to find a primary care physician you are comfortable with and trust, the same consideration should be given to choosing an audiologist.
Start off by asking your primary care doctor for suggestions. The office will likely give you a list of recommendations. Contact your insurance company to see which providers are on your plan. Find out if you need a referral from your primary care doctor or pre-approval before making an appointment.
Ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations. Word of mouth is often the most effective way to find a great service provider. Contact support groups focused on people who are living with deafness or hearing loss. The administrators and members will likely have many suggestions.
If asking around isn’t getting you anywhere, open up the yellow pages. Check the medical section of the local newspaper for advertisements. Do a quick web search for audiologists in your area.
Once you have a list of potential candidates, start calling. All of your doctors work for you, so it is only appropriate for you to conduct a telephone interview before deciding if you should hire them or not. You’ll be able to tell a lot about a practice by the way the receptionist handles your phone calls. The office should have no problems answering your questions and scheduling a consultation with the audiologist if you wish to do so. They should also be willing to provide you with references or testimonials from current patients.
Obviously you want an audiologist with great credentials, happy clients and a courteous staff. You also want an office that has hours convenient to your schedule and that is in a location near your home or office. It’s important to find out how long it takes to get an appointment and the average wait time before being seen when you arrive for your appointment.
There are dozens of brands of hearing aids on the market. Do some advanced research on your options. It is important to find an audiologist who offers the makes and models you feel will be most beneficial to your situation. Finding a provider that sells the supplies and accessories needed for the care and maintenance of your hearing aids is a bonus. Being able to purchase everything you need right there is convenient.
About the Author
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Nancy Duncan Duncan specializes in advanced technology hearing aid fittings, hearing testing and other assistive technology such as television amplifiers and amplified telephones. Duncan Hearing Healthcare also offers a line of products designed for non-hearing impaired individuals such as Custom Fit Bluetooth headsets for use with cellular telephones and Custom fit Earpieces for IPOD music devices. Dr. Duncan received her Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1997 and her doctorate in Audiology from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2005. http://budurl.com/dhhriverapril12art, http://budurl.com/dhhmainapril12art |