How do you select a hearing clinic?

Selecting a Hearing Clinic

You may suspect that you have a hearing problem, but what do you do next? You may go to your doctor or ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist) and he or she may refer you to a hearing clinic to have your hearing tested. You may also decide to go straight to a hearing clinic yourself to have your hearing tested. However, in deciding on the best hearing clinic for you, there are several things to mull over.

Location

This is definitely something to consider when selecting a clinic, as you will be making several return visits. Your first visit to the clinic will be to have your hearing tested, and if needed order a hearing aid. While some people decide on the hearing system which is right for them immediately, others need some time to think it over. Therefore you may need to make a return visit after having your hearing tested. After you have ordered, you will need to return to pickup your hearing aid and have it fitted. Following this, you will likely need to return to the clinic for 2 to 3 follow-up visits for fine-tuning. Remember, you may also return two to four times per year to purchase batteries and have your hearing aid cleaned thoroughly.

Office Hours

The clinic should also be open on a regular basis with an office and staff that you can visit weekly if needed. Make sure the hours the clinic are open will be convenient for you.

Staff

One of the most important considerations in selecting the right hearing clinic for you, is the staff. Make sure the staff are licensed and qualified to test and fit hearing aids. An Audiologist must have at least a Masters degree in audiology and be licensed and certified in the jurisdiction in which they practice.

Above all, find an audiologist or hearing specialist you are confident in. You should feel comfortable, and at ease with the staff. Your audiologist should be approachable and listen to any of the concerns or requests you may have. If it would make you more comfortable, meet and talk to your audiologist/ hearing aid dispenser before your first visit. Ask your doctor, family and friends to recommend someone.

Selection

Finally, the clinic should carry a number of different types and makes of hearing systems. You may need a specialty product that is only available from one specific manufacturer. Hearing aid options are not like they were ten, or even five years ago. Today there is an extensive selection of hearing aids and systems available to accommodate most budgets, lifestyles, personal tastes and needs. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all these decisions. An experienced, well-trained, audiologist or hearing aid professional can help you make these important decisions in your best interest.

Check out these other informative sections of the hearingcenteronline.com website.

1. How is your hearing? You can try our Hearing Test Questionnaire and see what your results are!
2. Understanding your Hearing Test. Check out this article to find out what to expect at your hearing test, and what  it all means.
3. What does Hearing Loss Sound Like?  At the bottom of this page there are some Audiograms if you would like to see what one looks like.
4. The Interactive Ear. This is a "Macromedia Flash" presentation of the parts of an ear and how they work.
5. The Interactive Hearing Aid.  This is a "Macromedia Flash" presentation of the parts of a hearing aid and how they work.
6. The Hearing Dictionary.  If you did not understand any of the words in this article you can look them up here.