Hearing aids purchased in Medical Clinics
Posted in General on April 1, 2010
AAO-HNS notes that a 2009 Consumer Reports article indicated that the best provider of hearing aids is a medical office headed by an otolaryngologist (ENT physician) with an audiologist on staff"* AAO-HNS is the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Well isn't this a nice little tid-bit. Patients often ask me the difference between purchasing hearing aids through our office and other clinics who specialize in hearing aids. It's a tough question. I know so many wonderful Audiologists in this area working in clinics where their job function is to match amplification to the person, whether in private practice or in clinics who are primarily "hearing aid clinics". My answer usually goes something like--it's the professional you are working with, not the location, and you will find wonderful one's just about everywhere. But there are some benefits of being in a medical practice for this care.
I have worked within Northwest Face for 9 years now. The ENT department (we have 3 wonderful ones) and myself collaborate on each patient-so we miss nothing. I have learned so much working with these doctors that goes beyond the book learning and normal experiences. I've been privy to lengthy discussions on the medical concerns, stepped into the operating room during surgeries, reviewed medical and surgical outsomes, and learned their recommendations for many of our red flags. I think it all comes down to a different view of the ear. I am intimately aware of medical limitations and work with patients to improve their individual listening strengths. I do not fit as many hearing aids as many of my peers--that I agree. But those who are fit report very high satisfaction.
There are lots of little things patients don't think about. Any given day there are multiple people who can "clean an ear"--not just myself. We use different equipment to remove wax than seen in most clinics. I work with doctors who allow me to "work someone in" should I see concerns for infection or other concerns. The medical care we provide pays our overhead, so we are able to offer some things other clinics simply could not.
I am a provider for: Sonic Innovations, Phonak, Resound, Unitron, Siemen's, Sebotek, Vivatone, Bernafon, and Rexton. As well as specialized products such as BAHA, Retro-X, and our newest addition WOW. If you are wearing one of these and still feel you are not doing well--I always offer to re-work what you own before trying something new. Many are surprised how flexible the device they own really are.
*www.hearingreview.com/news/2010-03-24_02.asp
Michelle Batson, AuD