Do You Know Where to Find an Audiologist?

Even if consumers know that seeing an audiologist is an important first step to treating hearing loss, a surprising number don’t know where they would look to find one. In a random survey of a dozen people outside a hearing seminar, most answered that they didn’t know, they’d “Google” it, or they’d ask a doctor. Even though the last two seem plausible, they’re unlikely to lead someone to a good audiologist. Here’s why, along with search tips for getting your hearing needs professional care.

Google doesn’t know everything

Google and Siri are helpful for finding answers to just about anything, but even their information can be inadequate when it comes to choosing a good audiologist. They may

turn up a list of audiologists and clinics in your area, but additional information such as experience, reputation and services provided could be scarce or unreliable. There’s also the possibility that a clinic is ‘invisible’ online. Google is a start, but groundwork is also necessary – making phone calls, emailing, finding patient testimonials, researching the audiologist and clinic and actually stopping in for a chat.

Medical doctors and audiologists 

Unfortunately, audiologists aren’t always visible in medical spheres, either. Unless they’ve had a reason to refer a patient to one, general physicians might not be able to recommend a particular audiologist or even know one. Some don’t consider audiologists ‘real’ doctors (in spite of their doctoral degrees) or even include a hearing test in routine physicals. At the other extreme, ear/nose/throat (ENT) doctors only handle medical aspects of hearing disorders caused by defects, injuries and disease. Although they’re more likely to mingle with audiologists, there’s no guarantee they’d be able to recommend one.

Alternative places to look

Finding a good audiologist doesn’t have to be that difficult if you know where to look. Some suggest contacting state or private university medical centers and speaking directly with their ear, nose and throat department or audiologist training programs, which include or have direct connections to hearing clinics. Going through an institution further provides more assurance of finding an audiologist who is both educated and accredited.

It might also be fruitful to contact the closest chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, an organization that can provide lists of accredited audiologists in your area.

Treating hearing loss with care and comprehension is important, and audiologists are the most qualified professionals to do so. Whichever resources you decide to explore, be sure to take the search for a good audiologist seriously.