Four Ways to Find An Audiologist

You are having a problem hearing. It is time to check it out and see what is wrong. What can you do? How do you find the right audiologist? 

There are four basic ways that you can find the right audiologist.

Tips to selecting an audiologist 

When looking for an audiologist, there are several things you can take into consideration. You may want to consider the location of the office – how far is it from your house or place of employment? What hours are they open – do they offer evening or Saturday appointments? What types of devices do they sell – do they carry one manufacturer or multiple options? The following tips are important when searching for your audiologist!

Shop around

First of all, shop for the right one. Don’t just take the first hearing provider you come to come. Look around. Hearing aids are different and each one meets unique needs and budgets. The same goes for the right audiologist for you. Audiologists are experts are helping to treat hearing loss and diagnose what issues you have. Audiologist perform hearing tests, define a treatment plan, and mostly, they will work with a certified hearing instrument specialist who will work with you to find the right fit of a hearing aid.

Check credentials

Secondly, as stated many times, when looking for the right audiologist, you might want to look at professional credentials. In looking at audiologists, you will notice a lot of initials after the audiologist’s name.  A Doctor of Audiology earns a doctorate in audiology from an accredited university. You may also see M.S. or M.A. in a provider’s title. Audiologists with these titles have earned a master’s degree in audiology and have completed extensive academic and hands-on training.

The other common title is CCC-A, which represents Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology. A hearing specialist with this title is certified to perform audiology services.

Customer service

Thirdly, customer service is key in finding the right audiologist. Research the audiologist online, and look for customer testimonials, these can be found in reviews on Google, Yelp or other business sites, and through the audiologist’s website. Also, word of mouth is a good way to find an audiologist.

Searching online

Lastly, to find an audiologist, start searching on the web. Type in different key terms: audiologist, audiology, hearing care specialist and look for those that are close to you in distance. A phone book can be useful. Looking at associations for audiologists can be helpful as well. 

There are many other ways to help you find just the right audiologist to help you in your hearing impairment journey. Sometimes, visiting a hearing instrument specialist first, especially those who offer free first appointments can give you informative answers on what you might need, so you can know what to ask and expect at an audiologist appointment.