4 Tips to Find an Audiologist

If you haven’t had your hearing checked in years, you may not have an audiologist. Once you’re in your late 50s (or older), it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked even if you haven’t noticed any problems. An audiologist uses hearing test results to monitor any changes as you age. Just like the doctor and dentist, regular visits to an audiologist ensure your best hearing health. What’s the best way to find an audiologist? Here are four tips to consider when selecting your audiologist.

Get a referral

Chances are you know family members or friends who wear hearing aids. Ask them about their audiologist. You’ll get a first-hand review of the audiologist. Most people don’t recommend someone they don’t like, so an enthusiastic answer is valuable.

Your primary care provider may be able to make a recommendation, or perhaps some of your other healthcare providers (dentist, optometrist) may know someone. Your insurance company may provide the names of audiologists as well.

If your local university has an audiology program, they may make recommendations. You may also find support groups in your area. Consider attending a meeting and asking members the names of their audiologists.

Check the internet

There’s a great deal of information available via computer. Not only can you do a search for local audiologists and check out their websites, you also can find professional organizations with search pages that list audiologists in your area.

Many websites offer reviews of medical professionals. Taking a look at these sites and evaluate the ratings to help you find an audiologist.

Sometimes newspapers and magazine websites will do an online feature story about a local audiologist, or offer links to local offices.

Attend a seminar or health fair

Local organizations offer opportunities to meet health care professionals during a health fair (perhaps at a local festival) or during a seminar. It’s a chance to meet the audiologist and hear what they have to say about healthy hearing. Many audiology practices offer free hearing tests. Because you’re there in person, you have an excellent chance to “get a feel” for the audiologist and determine if you would be comfortable discussing your hearing issues with them.

Keep the search near home or work

It’s a good idea to look for an audiologist that is within a reasonable drive from your home base or work. If you have hearing loss and need hearing aids, you probably will make several visits to the audiologist and you don’t want to have a lengthy drive to and from the office. If you’re familiar with the part of town where the office is located (and if it’s near other medical professionals) that’s a bonus!

Audiologists pride themselves on their reputations and know that client care is a top issue. These four tips to find an audiologist should help you narrow down your choices and determine which hearing health professional will work best with you.