7 Reasons to Consult an Audiologist

Imagine going for a mountain trek in stiletto heels or attending a black-tie dinner in galoshes. You just wouldn’t do it. When choosing a hearing aid to match your needs, the expert to ask about the best device for the job is your audiologist.

#1: Neutral and unbiased

An audiologist has your best interests at heart, whereas a hearing aid dispenser may be on commission from a hearing aid manufacturer or has a large number of a certain model to shift. However, the audiologist is a professional with ethical standards to match and so has their patient’s needs at the forefront of their thinking.

#2: Continuing professional development

In line with other medical professionals, each year an audiologist is expected to undertake many hours of continuing education. This ensures they keep up to date with the latest knowledge about hearing health and technology.

#3: Unrivalled product knowledge

The audiologist has an unrivalled breadth of knowledge when it comes to learning about the latest hearing devices on the market, including their strengths and weaknesses. Just as phone technology changes month by month, so does the miniaturization technology in a hearing device, meaning a less informed individual is quickly out of date.

#4: Product expertise

From behind-the-ear (BTE) to in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, there is a big difference between styles of hearing aid. But those differences aren’t just about the appearance of the device, they also affect the functionality. For example, someone with severe hearing loss needs maximum sound amplification so an in-the-canal device may not be powerful enough.

#5: Individual preference

An audiologist takes time to get to know the patient. Your audiologist doesn’t rely on volume of sales for profit (unlike stores offering super-bargain-basement deals) and derives satisfaction from understanding the requirements of individual patients. This enables them to make recommendations for the device best suited to your lifestyle plus your hearing needs.

#6: Perfect fit

An audiologist is skilled at taking ear impressions so that your new device is a perfect fit. A distorted ear mold makes for long term discomfort, so a good impression is key to a comfortable device.

#7: Ongoing care

The audiologist is interested in your ongoing hearing health and the usability of your device. Their interest doesn’t wain once you have made a purchase, but is there as a constant source of support should you need it.

This can range from making minor repairs to the device or helping you get used to the buttons and switches, through to teaching facial expression reading in order to make more sense of what you see and hear around you.

In short, an audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional and with this goes putting you, the patient, to the forefront of their thinking. More than testing your hearing and selling a hearing device, your audiologist is there to provide ongoing support and expert advice whenever you need it.