How and Where to Have Your Hearing Tested | Step 2
Introduction
Seeking help for your hearing problems can be a big emotional and psychological step towards better health. With all the information out there today, who does one trust? Where do you go? What do you need? This section will guide you in the right direction and will help you be an informed consumer in this world of mixed messages.
Where to go for a hearing evaluation: Beware the "Free" Hearing Test
Have you seen the advertisements for "free hearing test" or "free examination"? We all know that nothing in this world is actually "free". These advertisements entice you to come into the office so that they can sell you something. Usually, these companies employ tactics of pressure sales because they rely completely on the products they sell, not the services they provide.
Ultimately, finding a qualified hearing healthcare professional is the ultimate goal. We advise you to seek out either an Audiologist or Ear, Nose, & Throat practice in either a hospital or ENT clinic setting to get the best medical and audiologic care. The majority of hearing evaluations are covered by most insurance companies these days. Hospitals and ENT practices will most likely accept a wide variety of insurance plans. Unlike your local hearing aid shops, the audiologists and doctors in hospitals and ENT offices rely more on the services they provide rather than the products they sell.
Different Types of Providers
Audiologists - specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of audio-vestibular (hearing & balance) pathologies. A doctorate is required to enter the field of audiology. Most Audiologists will have a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and are the experts in any and all hearing related services. Most Au.D. or Ph.D. audiologists have gone through 3.5 years of didactic classroom learning experience with 3-4 years of clinical experience.
- Hearing Aid Specialists - are allowed to give a basic test of your hearing and fit hearing aids, but they are not allowed to make a diagnoses with regards to your hearing loss. The requirements to become a specialist vary depending on state law. The majority of which require a high school diploma, successful completion of a test and approximately 6 months of training.
- Medical Doctors - Although well-trained in medical evaluations, diagnoses and treatment of ear-related pathologies, most physicians are not qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing loss. Otologists, Neuro-Otologists, or Otolaryngologists (ENT) may specialize on the ear, but they, typically, rely on an audiologist for the overall hearing evaluation and treatment of hearing loss.
