3 Qualities to Look for in an Audiologist

Whether it’s been recommended you see an audiologist or you have recently left your last one and are looking for a replacement, finding the right match for you isn’t always an easy task. You may be referred to audiologists by your doctor, get recommendations from friends and family, or simply find them through the internet. But how do you know you’ve found the right one?

Organization and time management

Like many healthcare professionals, audiologists rely on a large volume of patients to keep their practice open. However, good time management doesn’t mean they get you out the door as soon as possible. It means that they’re able to cope with the number of patients they see in the day while providing the best service they can to you. The sign of a well-organized audiologist is that they are able to schedule you, see you on time and spend enough time with you to help you address the concerns that prompted the visit. If you are feeling rushed during your visit, or your audiologist is regularly late seeing you, it’s a sign they are not coping well with their current volume of patients, which could mean they aren’t able to give you the care and attention you deserve.

Problem-solving and expertise

A large part of an audiologist’s role in your healthcare is helping to provide accurate diagnoses of any potential hearing and balance issues. You want to make sure that they’re drawing from a wide pool of past experience and expertise, so check your audiologist’s credentials and see if they are members of any professional organizations. Beyond making sure they have the expertise necessary, see how your audiologist performs hearing tests and other diagnostics. Are they careful to eliminate any other potential causes before they make a diagnosis? If not, they may prove poor at providing the correct treatment plans.

Care, professionalism and communication

You should feel at ease when talking to your audiologist. While they may use terms and devices you are unfamiliar with, a good audiologist will take care to answer any questions and provide an understandable explanation on anything you aren’t familiar with. They should take the time to break down complex matters for you and ensure you’re satisfied that you understand before they continue. What’s more, they should be dedicated to you, actively listening and addressing concerns, not simply pushing them aside. If you purchase a hearing aid from an audiologist, you will continue to receive follow-up care, including advice on maintenance and protection of your hearing aids, in addition to professional care appointments to ensure your devices are working effectively.

Audiologists are crucial to the treatment and management of any issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus and other auditory and balance issues. You need someone you can trust not just for the initial test and hearing aid fitting, but the advice and expertise they can continue to provide throughout your hearing health journey.