You’ve decided to explore your options for improving your hearing. The first step you need to take is to seek out information about hearing loss, treatment options, and scheduling an appointment with a hearing healthcare provider.
You can find hearing healthcare professionals in the yellow pages or internet by searching “audiology”, “hearing aid dispensers”, “hearing aids”, or physicians specializing in Otolaryngology i.e. Ear Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT) or Otologist. See our definitions of the three main HHPs on the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) website.
Prior to visiting any HHP it is best to:
- Consult your family members or friends with hearing loss to determine if they know of a HHP who delivered superior customer service. Make sure they are satisfied with their hearing aids as well as the service. If your friend does not wear their hearing aids ask them why?
- Consult your family doctor for a referral to a HHP the doctor trusts. Usually a referral will be based on someone the doctor has a professional relationship with in that the doctor has sufficient evidence from his or her patient base that the patient is satisfied with the hearing healthcare received. Check with the better business bureau to determine if the HHP has any complaints filed against them.
- In most cases, the first contact you will make with a HHP office or clinic will be over the phone. For this reason, you should expect to have a polite and professional experience over the phone.
- When you place a call to the office of a HHP, the person who answers the phone should offer clear and precise answers to your questions. Because hearing loss varies significantly between individuals, you can expect that some of your questions may not be answered by the receptionist or office assistant. In those cases, you should request to speak to the HHP for a more exact answer. The HHP should be available to take your call upon request, or return your call within a reasonable period of time.
- Given the variability in hearing loss and technology options, questions about prices and models of hearing aids are extremely difficult to answer in a thorough manner over the phone. In most cases, HHPs are only able to give you precise answers to technology and price questions after a personal consultation.
- There may be a fee for a consultation. Be sure to ask if there is a fee for an initial consultation or hearing test before you schedule the appointment.
- If you decide to make an appointment with an HHP, you should not have to wait more than 2 weeks to be seen in their office for a consultation. Be sure, moreover, to ask for driving directions, if you do not know how to get to the office. Office hours should be flexible and meet your needs.
- If you decide that you simply want information, and do not wish to schedule an appointment, the office should be willing to mail you information on hearing loss and treatment options. If they don’t have information they can mail you, ask them about some useful educational websites such as the Better Hearing Institute.
Hearing Healthcare of Virginia
Hearing Healthcare of Virginia is offering complimentary hearing screenings at its six locations in the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia – Charlottesville, Covington, Culpeper, Fishersville, Harrisonburg, and Lexington.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (866) 341-4327.
More online at www.HearVirginia.com.
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