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Hearing Loss
May 15, 2023
7 min

How to Pick the Best Audiologist for You: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for the best audiologist? This guide is a great start! Learn key things you need to consider when selecting an audiologist!

Author:
Luke Sperber
How to Pick the Best Audiologist for You: A Comprehensive Guide
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Finding the best audiologist can make all the difference in assessing your unique hearing needs and providing effective treatment options. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know to pick the best audiologist for you, from understanding hearing loss and treatment options to evaluating if the audiologist is a good match. By the end of this guide, you'll feel empowered to make an informed decision and find the support you need to improve your hearing and quality of life.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss, finding the best audiologist is essential to getting the help and support you need.

This blog post will walk you through the steps to pick the best audiologist in your area.

What is an Audiologist?

Audiologist examining patient.
Audiologist examining patient.

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who identify, assess and manage disorders of hearing, balance and other neural systems. They can offer different solutions, from hearing aids to cochlear implants as well as suggest apps and resources that can assist your day to day. However, as with any provider, finding the best audiologist for your needs is important.

Audiologists can advise and offer remedies and treatments for almost every type of hearing loss, including:

  • Hearing loss due to ototoxicity: Results from using certain medications.
  • Hidden hearing loss: This form of hearing loss is not detectable on standard hearing tests.
  • Sensorineural hearing loss: When the hair follicles in the cochlea become damaged due to loud noise exposure, head trauma, an inner ear infection, or a congenital anomaly.

Currently, a patient must be referred by their primary care physician or an ENT for insurance to pay for their evaluation.

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Understanding Hearing Loss and Treatment Options

The first step to finding the best audiologist is understanding hearing loss and treatment options. There are different types and degrees of hearing loss; the proper treatment will depend on your situation.

Some common treatment options include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices. Understanding these options will help you ask informed questions while searching for an audiologist near you.

Young man with hearing aid.
Young man with hearing aid.

Assessing Your Lifestyle and Communication Needs

Your lifestyle and communication needs are important factors when choosing a top rated audiologist. Do you work in a noisy environment? Are you involved in activities that require good hearing, such as playing music or participating in social events? Consider your daily activities and communication needs to find an audiologist who can provide the right level of support.

Boy with a cochlear implant playing a video game.
Boy with a cochlear implant playing a video game.

Research Best Audiologists in Your Area

Once you better understand your hearing loss and communication needs, it's time to start researching audiologists in your area. You can use online directories such as Webmd, Zocdoc, or those offered through your insurance provider or review sites to find local audiologists near you. Look for good audiologists who specialize in your type of hearing loss or treatment options, and read reviews from past patients to get an idea of their reputation.

Asking for Recommendations from Your Doctor or Friends and Family

Another way to find a good audiologist is to ask for recommendations from your doctor, friends, and family. They may be able to recommend an audiologist they have worked with in the past or know someone who has had a positive experience with an audiologist in your area.

Schedule a Consultation and Prepare for the Appointment

Once you have a list of potential audiologists, it's time to schedule a consultation. During this appointment, you can ask questions and learn more about the audiologist's experience and credentials. Before your appointment, list questions to ask and bring any relevant medical records or test results.

Some examples of questions to ask include:

  • What is your experience with my type of hearing loss or treatment option?
  • What treatment options are available to me, and which do you recommend?
  • How will you evaluate my hearing and communication needs?
  • How long will it take to get fitted for a hearing aid or other device?
  • What kind of support do you offer after the initial fitting?

Evaluating Your Experience

After your appointment, take some time to evaluate your experience and assess the audiologist's communication skills and bedside manner. Did they listen to your concerns and answer your questions thoroughly? Did they take the time to explain different treatment options and help you make an informed decision? Did you feel comfortable and confident in their care? These are all important factors to consider.

Considering the Audiologist's Credentials, Experience, and Reputation

Finally, when choosing an audiologist, it's important to consider their credentials, experience, and reputation. Look for an audiologist nearby that is licensed and certified in your state and with experience working with patients with your hearing loss or treatment option. Check their reputation by reading reviews or asking for references.

Remember, your audiologist will be your long-term partner in hearing health, so when choosing one, focus on selecting a professional who makes you feel at ease, has comprehensive knowledge, and provides a range of advanced hearing devices for you to consider.

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Luke Sperber

Marketing at Nagish

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How to Pick the Best Audiologist for You: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.