5 Tips for Selecting an Audiologist for Your Child

Choosing an audiologist for your child can be a daunting task, especially if this is the first time you have been assigned with such an enormous responsibility. The health and well-being of your child, as well as his future development, depends on the healthcare choices that you make on his behalf. Keeping all this in mind, looking for the perfect audiologist becomes extremely important.

A brief background

Just like any other healthcare provider, an audiologist is also a professional with at least a Master’s degree or a doctorate in Audiology. With such a commendable educational training, these professionals are licensed to treat children in addition to people belonging to other age groups. They help in diagnosing hearing loss, along with treating it by dispensing the right hearing aids for the child’s needs.

Tips for choosing the right audiologist

Here are five great tips to help you choose the right audiologist:

1. Expect the best service – Starting from the first time you call or visit the clinic to book your initial appointment, be sure to expect nothing less than outstanding customer service. You will most likely be spending a lot of money at this clinic, including treatment, fitting, purchasing hearing aids and more, and the least you can ask for in return for providing them with business is professional courtesy and excellent customer care.
2. Choose someone nearby – A common mistake made by most new patients is that they end up choosing an audiologist that has a clinic situated pretty far away from where the patient lives. This not only accounts for an excruciatingly long drive each time they have an appointment with the audiologist, but it also poses a great danger. In some cases, the patient may need to visit the audiologist urgently and this can become challenging because their office is situated a long distance away.
3. Business with history – Similar to choosing a bank, a drycleaner, a pizza place or any other business, choosing an audiologist should also depend on how long the clinic has been operational for. Audiologist who have been practicing in a certain market for several decades are more likely to provide good care and service as well as have more experience in dealing with patients of various kinds of hearing loss. While newer businesses may also provide great service, there will be fewer testimonials to verify the quality of their care, making the choice rather risky.
4. Insurance provider’s policy – Some insurance providers require you to have a professional referral for an audiologist before they pay for the services. It is good practice to check with your insurance provider to know of any such restrictions beforehand so that you don’t end up paying for services that you don’t absolutely have to.
5. Friends and family – One of the most reliable sources of information, friends and family are a great way to get a few referrals for an audiologist or know about first-hand experiences before you book an appointment with a professional. If no one in your social circle has had experience with an audiologist before, you can also ask your general physician for a recommendation.

Your child’s audiologist will play an important role in their overall hearing care and emotional wellbeing. Select a professional who not only has extensive knowledge and experience, but also best fits your child’s hearing loss needs.