Four Ways to Find an Audiologist

Who do you trust with your hearing health?

It’s important to take your hearing health seriously. From the prevention of falls, protection against dementia and straightforward enjoyment of life, investing in your hearing is a must. To do this resist the urge to cut corners and use a hearing aid dispenser and be sure to visit a fully qualified audiologist.

If you like the idea but have yet to find an audiologist, here are four ways to go about it.

No.1: Personal recommendation

Everybody knows somebody with hearing loss. Speak to friends and family about their experiences and which audiologist they recommend. Most people are happy to chat about what happened to them. There is nothing quite like have used a service, to give good feedback about the strengths and weaknesses.

For example if they received excellent care from the receptionist who made booking an appointment easy, this may help you decide which clinic to visit. It’s often these little details, along with the aftercare that make all the difference to your confidence. 

Think about what matters to you, for example being able to contact the audiologist easily after the appointment, and create a list of questions to ask.

No. 2: The internet

You can find just about anything on the internet, including an audiologist!

If you have a local clinic, search for their website for details of their services, hours, and testimonials. Also, look for online reviews for feedback on the patient experience. Glowing positive reviews are always encouraging, but even negative reviews give a valuable insight, especially if the reviewer gave one-star because they didn’t like the color of the décor. If such a demanding person has nothing else to pick up on then maybe the service is worth investigating after all.

If you aren’t aware of a local clinic then put the town name and audiologist into a search engine and see what they come up with. In addition, some of the professional bodies linked to audiologists have tools that will find your nearest clinic.

No. 3: Primary care recommendation

Perhaps you went to your doctor with a history of tinnitus or hearing loss, and they suggest you see an audiologist. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor for a recommendation. Most physicians regularly refer people and are aware of the best audiologists in town.

No. 4: Insurance company

Another avenue to explore is to contact your medical insurance company. Not only can they recommend an audiologist, but it may even be part of your insurance contract that you use an individual recommended by them.

Not to do so may result in you invalidating the insurance claim so that you can’t claim the fees back.

And finally, it’s often necessary to use a combination of search methods. Start by finding out which clinics are closest to your locality and then do speak to your insurer or doctor to take their recommendation, plus friends and family for their personal feedback.