Are Audiologists More Expensive than Hearing Aid Stores? I recently had a long term patient of mine confess that he had been “shopping” for new hearing aids.
He thought it would be less expensive to see a Hearing Instrument Specialist, or hearing aid dealer than it would be to see me.
When he returned to me with whistling poorly fit hearing aids from Sam’s Club, he told me his story. He had been to three different hearing aid providers, independent, chain and big box. They all told him that his four year old hearing aids could not be repaired (not true) and proceeded to test him. None bothered to look in his ears. If they had, they would have seen that both ears were packed with wax. Based on his poor test scores, because his ears were all plugged up, he was sent for an unnecessary MRI.
So, on top of thinking that he needed new hearing aids, which he could not afford, he then had to worry about having a brain tumor. Not good. When he finally came back to me, I removed the wax from his ears and retested him. There had been no change in his hearing over the last four years. The hearing aids were repaired for a fraction of what new aids would have cost and he was hearing well.
As an audiologist, I have the training and expertise to do a diagnostic hearing test, hearing instrument specialists do not. As an audiologist, I can bill your insurance for your hearing test. Sometimes there are out-of-pocket expenses that are generally under $50.00. A small price to pay for getting the proper treatment for you hearing problem.
My goal for all of my patients is that they hear the best they can. We have many options for your needs.
Call us at 727-323-2471. We can help you.
Susan E. Terry, Au.D., F-AAA
Doctor of Audiology
Board Certified
P.S. We are here to help, if you have any questions about your hearing feel free to give us a call at 727-323-2471.