How to Select the Right Audiologist

Choosing the right audiologist is key for to maintaining the health of your auditory system. An audiologist is a professional who can evaluate your hearing ability, provide a treatment plan and recommend the hearing aids that will be best for your particular needs. Additionally, the audiologist can help with other issues, whether it’s earwax impactions or balance problems caused by the middle ear.

If you’ve decided you could benefit from seeing an audiologist, consider the following ways to find the right professional for you.

Use the internet

Start by doing a simple search online. Pull up your preferred search engine and type in ‘audiologist’ and ‘your city.’ This will provide a number of results of professionals in your area, as well as a webpage providing information about their practice. Be sure to peruse their information to learn more about hours, associated costs and even read real-patient reviews to get an idea of what you can expect.

Referrals and recommendations

Try asking your friends and family for recommendations if you know they have struggled with hearing issues in the past or regularly visit an audiologist. Your loved ones will be able to provide you with an unbiased opinion on the professional, which can help you determine if they’re the right audiologist for you. Remember to ask about the communication of the office staff, the audiologist’s bedside manner and ease of appointment scheduling.

Primary care physician

If your friends and family have not seen an audiologist or do not have one they recommend, talk to your primary care provider about the right professional for your needs. Because you’ve already built a trusting relationship with your family doctor, they’ll be able to recommend an audiologist you will feel comfortable and competent with.

Insurance

While many insurance providers still do not cover hearing aids, a number do offer coverage when it comes to a hearing test. If you’re unsure what your insurance will provide, contact a representative and learn more about your auditory health services coverage. In the event your policy offers some assistance for a hearing test, you’ll want to select the right audiologist to take advantage of these benefits.

Choosing an audiologist doesn’t have to be a difficult task, especially if you use the above methods to find the right professional for your needs. Remember to talk with the audiologist about the specific services they provide, office locations and hours to ensure you select the one most convenient and beneficial for your life.