How to Find an Audiologist

Finding a new doctor is never easy. Doing so when you have concerns about your hearing can make the task even more difficult. Here are several ways to determine how to find an audiologist.

Family doctor recommendation

Asking your general practitioner for a reference is a great way to find an audiologist. If you trust and like your doctor, chances are they will be able to recommend someone who also will make you feel at ease. Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician’s Assistants all regularly recommend specialists.

Friends and family

It’s likely that a friend or someone in your family already has a hearing aid. That’s a great resource for a recommendation! When people are happy with services received, they usually are more than willing to talk about their experiences. It’s also a good opportunity to learn more about what it’s like to see an audiologist because your friend or family member has first-hand experience.

Search the internet

It can be overwhelming to receive thousands of responses to a Google search. But by narrowing down your search to terms such as, “audiologist in my area” or “audiology in town name,” you’ll get a shorter, comprehensive list of audiologists near your home. From there, you can check the websites and get a better sense of the practice. Additionally, national professional organizations associated with hearing such as the American Academy of Audiology often have search information on their websites to find a local member.

Make a call

If you have a university medical center near you, the Otolaryngology department (ear, nose and throat) may have a list of referrals. If there’s a college or university nearby that has an audiology program, it may have a clinic. Also, there may be a hearing loss group in your area. A phone call or visit to a meeting will give you some audiologist recommendations.

Insurance

If your insurance company requires you to choose from its list of doctors and specialists, you have a good starting point. Sometimes insurance does not cover a visit to an audiologist. It’s best to determine the specifics of your policy to make certain you don’t create additional expenses for yourself.

Health fairs and open houses

Your local county or state fair usually has an area where health professionals and those affiliated set up booths to provide information about many services. You may find members of a local hearing loss group with some recommendations. Or there could be an audiologist providing free hearing tests. Sometimes audiologists hold open houses at their offices. It’s a good way to gather information and possibly speak with an audiologist.

It may seem overwhelming to try to find an audiologist when you’re uncertain where to start. The above tips can give you some leads as to the best places to find a professional who will arrange for the best care possible concerning your hearing loss.