How to find an audiologist

Matthew

Matthew

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Matthew
It's about time for me to get a good, thorough, hearing checkup.

Some tinnitus, probably some hearing loss in some frequencies, but mainly I feel ready to get a good baseline check.

There are lots of hearing-check places to choose from, but most seem like they are hearing aid dealers.

Is there a particular license, certification, board membership, or something that I should look for? Or should I go through my own doc and then get a referral to an ear specialist MD? Not sure how this game is played.
 
I used my insurance website to find an Audiologist that was not selling hearing aids. Turned out there is one at the University next door to me. The downside was students were involved in the exam which made it slower. The students were fine it's just do a little and then discuss technique and observations with the Audiologist (who was also present).

The frustrating thing to me was I was prompted to do this because my wife complained that I was checking out in group settings because I have trouble picking the conversation out of the background noise. After the audiologist told me my hearing was excellent (considering the age and the mileage...) I asked her about the issues with background noise. She said "Sure and it'll get worse as you get older." She said no hearing aids would really help either. So my hearing is excellent, I just can't hear you. :(

John
 
jsstevens said:
I used my insurance website to find an Audiologist that was not selling hearing aids. Turned out there is one at the University next door to me. The downside was students were involved in the exam which made it slower. The students were fine it's just do a little and then discuss technique and observations with the Audiologist (who was also present).

The frustrating thing to me was I was prompted to do this because my wife complained that I was checking out in group settings because I have trouble picking the conversation out of the background noise. After the audiologist told me my hearing was excellent (considering the age and the mileage...) I asked her about the issues with background noise. She said "Sure and it'll get worse as you get older." She said no hearing aids would really help either. So my hearing is excellent, I just can't hear you. :(

John
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I absolutely hate it, both my hearing aids and the **** background noise. Even phone calls at work is terrible as the audio from them just sucks.
 
Audiologists are certified by the state and ASHA—American Speech-Language Hearing Association. You can find certified Audiologists at the ASHA website. Some insurance plans cover their services. Medicare pays but my mother-in-law's Medicare managed care plan does not. We just went in for an evaluation and hearing aid adjustment and it was only $73. I suspect that most audiologists also sell and service hearing aids.

http://find.asha.org/pro#f:@Provider=[Audiologist]
 
good timing...I also have tinnitus. In fact I had a MRI this morning regarding it.
Start with a good ENT doctor. He /she will help you through the process and make suggestions on ways to cope with this.
 
Anymouse said:
Check out your local ENT.
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Badger said:
good timing...I also have tinnitus. In fact I had a MRI this morning regarding it.
Start with a good ENT doctor. He /she will help you through the process and make suggestions on ways to cope with this.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking I should start by checking with my doc. The last time I mentioned this to him he sort of seemed like if it wasn't causing me any quality of life issues, it wasn't worth a serious follow up.
 
I went in for a "free" hearing check one time.

They wanted to sell me an 8000 dollar set of hearing aids.

Well, for 8000 bucks my wife can learn to speak a little louder....
 
Matthew said:
It's about time for me to get a good, thorough, hearing checkup.

Some tinnitus, probably some hearing loss in some frequencies, but mainly I feel ready to get a good baseline check.

There are lots of hearing-check places to choose from, but most seem like they are hearing aid dealers.

Is there a particular license, certification, board membership, or something that I should look for? Or should I go through my own doc and then get a referral to an ear specialist MD? Not sure how this game is played.
Click to expand...

Hey I hear you're looking for someone?
 
https://hearingtest.online/
HearingLoss.PNG
 
Matthew said:
I know. But I am also pretty sure I have some level of hearing loss in some freqs. I want a check-up from someone I don't feel is trying to sell me something.
Click to expand...

Costco offers free hearing tests. Yes, they sell hearing aids, but they are also licensed professionals with a code of ethics. I have been very satisfied with their service (and the fact that they perform regular service on my hearing aids without charge and apparently with no time limit (they have been doing so for the last five years at least).

Bob
 
Hearing tests from Costco or WalMart and other licensed dispensers are not considered diagnostic, which is why they are free. You could start there, but I would recommend seeing an audiologist in conjunction with an ENT the first time. Audiologists have a minimum of masters level training; most now have doctorates. They are the go-to experts.
 
bobmrg said:
Costco offers free hearing tests. Yes, they sell hearing aids, but they are also licensed professionals with a code of ethics. I have been very satisfied with their service (and the fact that they perform regular service on my hearing aids without charge and apparently with no time limit (they have been doing so for the last five years at least).

Bob
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I did that at Sam's, that's why I know there is some hearing loss in certain freqs. I don't know if that test is the "gold standard" or if that is a screening. They offered to set up a loaner set of hearing aids for me to try out while I finished shopping, but I passed.

I HAVE heard good things about Costco hearing aids and service, from a number of people over the years.
 
Not helpful, but an old joke that reminds me of my father and his sense of humor.

Patient: Doc, I've got this ringing in my ear.
Doctor: Get an unlisted ear.

As others have said, tinnitus has no cure. You can only guard your hearing to limit it as best you can.
 
Then there's the one about the guy bragging to his neighbor about his $7000 hearing aids.

"They're the latest high-tech devices," he said. "I can hear a pin drop."

"Really," replied the neighbor. "What kind is it?"

The other guy looks at his watch and says "It's a quarter to five."
 
Badger said:
good timing...I also have tinnitus. In fact I had a MRI this morning regarding it.
Start with a good ENT doctor. He /she will help you through the process and make suggestions on ways to cope with this.
Click to expand...
I’d be interested if you get any relief. I’ve been to two ent ‘s.. both basically told me welcome to your new life get used to it. It seems to be getting worse and borderline quality of life impacting. May be time to dig deeper.
 
bnt83 said:
I absolutely hate it, both my hearing aids and the **** background noise. Even phone calls at work is terrible as the audio from them just sucks.
Click to expand...
Brian, get the set at Costco that you can control the auditory spectrum from your iphone. You can also control the input from the front facing and from the rear facing microphones. There's a setting for almost any situation and 40dB of control in 250 hz increments......
 
I have follow up appointment Friday, I'll post findings.
 
There's a much better forum for this called hearingaidforums.com.

I used my audiologist (affiliated with the ENT that I was already seeing) to fit my first set of hearing aids. I also bought the special BLE interface necessary to do the fitting on EBay so I can tweak (and even run in situ adiograms) at home. My D.Aud. is pretty good natured about it. She already realized I was a technology geek, but I blew her away when I told her I had an Airlink2 and was moving the settings around.

Not knowing what your hearing issues are, it's hard to make a recommendation. I like my Resound LInx3D 9s. Boogies nicely with my iPhone. My wife couldn't figure out how I was navigating to a place I'd not been before. I just tapped my ears and said "I hear voices." I believe Costco does have their own branded version of the same.

The Resounds have a noisy environment (they call it Restaurant) mode that I can customize with the iPhone / Apple Watch apps in real time. My wife says it's dramatic. We went out to a busy restaurant and she says it's the first time she didn't have to repeat the waitress to me.
 
bbchien said:
Brian, get the set at Costco that you can control the auditory spectrum from your iphone. You can also control the input from the front facing and from the rear facing microphones. There's a setting for almost any situation and 40dB of control in 250 hz increments......
Click to expand...

I have not tried Costco but was certainly my next shot at hearing aids. They just opened one in Lincoln AND dispense hearing aids I believe.

I have an Octicon that I think cost me about $3000 then 4 years later cost me another $450...

Pretty sad when a headset and VHF aircraft radio is typically a better communication medium than my desk phone or cell phone (voice).

Texting is an amazing tool for people like me.
 
Matthew said:
Is there a particular license, certification, board membership, or something that I should look for? Or should I go through my own doc and then get a referral to an ear specialist MD? Not sure how this game is played.
Click to expand...
I suggest seeing an ENT for a referral to an audiologist. You don't want to go to one of those hearing aid stores where you will be tested by a salesman (even if they act like an audiologist).

An ENT can test for medical conditions that can impact hearing that a hearing aid salesman can't.
 
JOhnH said:
I suggest seeing an ENT for a referral to an audiologist. You don't want to go to one of those hearing aid stores where you will be tested by a salesman (even if they act like an audiologist).

An ENT can test for medical conditions that can impact hearing that a hearing aid salesman can't.
Click to expand...

If they have state certification as an audiologist on the wall that is good enough for me. Can't argue with your ENT recommendation, though.

Bob
 
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