Finding the Right Audiologist

When you experience difficulties hearing certain sounds, or you feel like you need to turn the volume higher to listen to your favorite TV show, it is a clear sign that you need to get your hearing checked. However, if you’ve never seen an audiologist, it can be tricky to find someone you trust. 

Location is crucial in your decision

Ultimately, you want to be able to build a trust relationship with your audiologist, which means you want to pick a place that is conveniently located for you. Ideally, your audiologist should be easy to reach. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose one who is in the proximity of your home or your workplace. If you’re looking for an audiologist for your child, reach out first to the audiology clinics around areas they are familiar with, such as the school, the youth sports center or your home. 

Geographic convenience can help you to stick with your appointments. 

Special needs should be met

What are your needs when you go to the doctor? Finding a hearing loss specialist may not be enough to convince you to book an appointment. People who use wheelchairs, for instance, prefer accessible locations with a ramp or an elevator. Typically, the website of your audiologist of choice should specify their accessibility. Ideally, people with mobility issues require additional parking facilities, which is something you can confirm with a phone call. 

Take a look at their website and read reviews from patients to get an idea of what kind of experience you can expect. Not only does this give you firsthand insight, it can help you prepare for your appointment.

Their opening hours need to match your availability

Working full time and trying to squeeze in a medical appointment can be challenging. If you are not prepared to take time off to see your audiologist, you need to find someone who can provide early or late opening hours. Some doctors may even offer weekend hours, which can help you to schedule your appointment. The same principle applies to kids, as you want to make sure their appointment with an audiologist doesn’t affect school attendance. 

Understand the services you need

While you may not know what a hearing test consists of, you have a good understanding of the facilities and arrangements that can make your life easier. As a patient, for instance, you want to be clear about how your healthcare insurance cover affects your medical appointment. Typically, your audiologist would indicate on their website which of their services are covered by which insurance, but if you are unsure, you can call and discuss the issue directly with the team. Similarly, understanding the payment terms for services that are only partially covered can also help you to better prepare for your appointment – or maybe find an audiologist who offers different payment terms. 

Most audiologists accept new patients, but it’s worth checking on the website to make sure you can find support for your hearing loss issues. Sometimes, new patients are only accepted with a medical reference from their family doctor; therefore, it’s a good idea to find out sooner than later. 

Finally, if you’re looking for an audiologist for your children, you might prefer someone who knows how to work with kids. 

For hearing aids users

If you already use hearing aids, you may need to check with your audiologist that they know and use your brand. As many hearing aid wearers rely on their audiologist for repairs and settings, you don’t want to end up with someone who can’t help you with your earpiece. If you are due for upgrade in your hearing technology – as hearing aids don’t last forever – you may want to call ahead to figure out if they are experienced in helping people who have used your specific model. 

The extra mile for new patients

Lastly, some audiologist’s websites provide additional advice and reassurance to their patients. Whether they use a FAQ page or a blog to offer support and guidance, new patients prefer to consult an audiologist who can explain every step-in detail. 

Finding the right audiologist for you doesn’t happen by chance. You need to make sure you can find a doctor who is easily accessible in terms of times and location, provides the additional facilities you need and can offer expert reassurance with your questions about the procedures and the hearing instruments. The first step of your trust relationship with your audiologist starts now, by calling our team at ENT Specialists at (402) 983-9948 to book your hearing appointment.