Being able to hear is something we take for granted until it starts to fail us. Losing hearing can be devastating, whether it’s due to a sudden event or age-related issues. If you’re dealing with hearing loss, you may be able to receive help from an audiologist.
There are many audiologists to choose from, but how do you know which one is best for you? Below are a few ways to find the best audiologist near you.
Ask for Referrals
If you know someone who has seen an audiologist, ask for a referral. Personal recommendations are always a good place to start. You can also ask your primary care doctor or other specialists for recommendations.
There’s a good chance they know of audiologists in your area and can give you a few names to get you started.
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Check Your Insurance Coverage
Another step to finding the best audiologists near you is to check your insurance coverage. Many insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost of seeing an audiologist for hearing tests and other services. Call your insurance company and ask about your coverage for audiologists in your area.
Insurance companies will usually have a list of in-network audiologists that you can choose from. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover audiologists, you can still find affordable options by searching for audiologists who offer discounts or sliding scale fees.
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Read Online Reviews
Reading online reviews is a great way to get insights from other people’s experiences. When you’re looking for audiologists near you, be sure to read reviews from multiple sources. You can start with Google and Healthy Hearing reviews.
When reading online reviews, pay attention to positive and negative comments. If most reviews are positive, that’s a good sign. However, even the best audiologists will have a few negative reviews. The key is to look for patterns in the negative reviews. For example, if multiple people mention long wait times, you may want to consider that.
Talk to Another Patient With the Same Condition
If you have a specific condition, such as tinnitus or Meniere’s disease, it can be helpful to talk to another patient who has seen an audiologist for the same thing.
You can ask for recommendations from support groups or online forums. Once you’ve found a few audiologists near you, call them and see if they have experience treating your specific condition.
Find a Modern Clinic
Finally, when looking for audiologists near you, be sure to find a clinic that uses modern equipment. Audiologists use a variety of sophisticated tests and devices to diagnose and treat hearing loss.
Some of the most common tests include:
- Tympanometry: This test measures how well your eardrum moves in response to changes in pressure.
- Audiometry: This test measures your ability to hear different sounds at different volumes.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE): This test uses a microphone to measure sound waves emitted from your cochlea in response to sound.
If you’re looking for the best audiologists near you, keep these tips in mind. Of course, there might come a time when you encounter ear problems; when that time comes, we can help.
Choose an ear doctor with a proven track record of results. Take a look at this list of Hearing Associates’ locations and schedule an appointment and get your hearing dialed in today.