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Finding a Well Regarded Audiologist / Hearing Aids Provider

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Hello, all.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss and it’s been recommended that I wear hearing aids. As someone who is new to hearing loss, I thought of a few questions. I would really appreciate the forum’s feedback.

  1. Is it common to find a hearing aid provider that allows for demo models? So far, I’ve visited two hearing aid providers and neither offered demo hearing aids.

  2. How do I find a well regarded audiologist to work with for the selection of the hearing aids and follow-up fittings/adjustments? My insurance provider does not have a hearing aid department. Instead, they directed me to larger provider (chain).

  3. How will I know if the fit, sound and wear is good when I have nothing to compare it to (no experience with hearing aids or hearing loss)?

Thank you.

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@Greetings said:
  • Is it common to find a hearing aid provider that allows for demo models? So far, I’ve visited two hearing aid providers and neither offered demo hearing aids.
  • How do I find a well regarded audiologist to work with for the selection of the hearing aids and follow-up fittings/adjustments? My insurance provider does not have a hearing aid department. Instead, they directed me to larger provider (chain).
  • How will I know if the fit, sound and wear is good when I have nothing to compare it to (no experience with hearing aids or hearing loss)?
    1.- Some of

1.- It;s more common to find a specialist that will sell you the units and allows returns (within a certain period). Do not buy aids from anyone that does not allow returns.
2.- (a) Word of mouth or (b) Visit one: If you don’t like them, visit another one. Just like a primary doctor, the choice is very personal and what works for one patient may not work for the other. If you do not have insurance coverage, Costco is a good option to consider. I think it is best to choose a specialist that sells multiple brands of hearing aids that are not locked to that seller. It is also a good idea to buy one of the major brands (Signia, Widex, Oticon, Phonak, Starkey or Costco’s brands).
3.- Same as getting glasses: If you can can see well with them, then they are working for you. Same applies to hearing aids. It is the job of the specialist to ensure you get the correct fit.

Hello, I’d suggest you go to Costco, if you have one close enough to make it worth while. They offer very good aids, a 180 day trial period with full refund if not satisfied, all for around $2K or less.They also offer follow up appointments, and service of aids all included. Especially if your budget is tight, otherwise from a private clinic you could pay triple what Costco charge.

My personal preference for hearing aid fittings is going to a Hearing Instrument Specialist () vs. an audiologist. My experience is that an audiologist can do a great job diagnosing the loss but don’t have quite the knowledge nor expertise of an HIS who deals with many brands of hearing aids to accommodate different degrees of hearing loss. As previously mentioned, try several different professionals to to find one that you feel comfortable with.

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