When the time comes for you to buy hearing aids, it is worth considering what you want from your hearing health care provider.
Are you happy to opt for a quick fix that takes care of your hearing loss for now? Or do you want to invest in your hearing health and ensure that you’ll be taken care of not only now but in the future?
Hearing aid dispensers sell hearing aids, and audiologists do as well. But the fact is, there is a big difference between them. In this article, we’ll explain these differences so you can make the best decision for yourself.
Hearing Aid Dispensers
You most likely will have seen their ads for hearing aids at incredible prices. And it’s hard to resist such an amazing offer. But it’s all a part of what hearing aid dispensers want to do – and that sells you hearing aids.
In fact, the hearing test they give you is tailored explicitly for the outcome of hearing aids. Once you purchase your hearing aids, your relationship with them is finished.
It is important to note that hearing aid dispensers have no medical background. They are high school graduates who will have trained alongside another hearing aid dispenser and passed an exam.
Therefore, any health issues you have with your ears, such as earwax, ruptured eardrums, and tinnitus, will not be treated.
They cannot prescribe hearing aids to children, and they cannot bill the majority of insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Audiologists
When you visit an audiologist, you begin a lifelong relationship with someone who aims to take care of your hearing health. Your current hearing levels will be recorded, and any future hearing loss will be tracked and treated as needed.
Audiologists can do this because they are doctors of audiology. In addition, they will have completed eight years of post-high school education, learning everything about the auditory and vestibular systems.
Therefore they will be able to identify the type of hearing loss you have and treat it accordingly. They can offer tinnitus support and help patients with vertigo and balance problems. An audiologist can test for and offer cochlear implants…and so much more!
Should you require follow-up care or have any concerns, you can depend on your audiologist to help you out. This can be especially beneficial if you are new to hearing aids.
Often hearing aids require a few adjustments in the beginning. Your audiologist will ensure your hearing aids are performing to their best ability for you.
Seeing an audiologist isn’t just about getting hearing aids but ensuring your hearing health remains in good condition throughout your lifetime. Audiologists also accept children as patients, and they can legally bill insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.
At Audiology Associates, our doctors and staff are committed to helping our patients on their journey to better hearing. With nine convenient Maryland locations, we offer you individualized care and support. Book your hearing test today by contacting Audiology Associates here
