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Choosing a Hearing Aid Provider

The task of choosing a hearing aid provider can be challenging!  My decision to get a hearing aid was filled with obstacles (many unexpected) and took a considerable amount of time.  At a fundamental level it meant I had to accept I had a hearing loss, a difficult journey in itself.  One of the first pieces of advice I received was to choose a provider close to where I lived, as it was suggested I would be returning numerous times for adjustments.  While that may be useful and practical advice, I have assembled a few additional suggestions from my experience that may be helpful to you.

• Professional Setting – Does the setting appear to be clean and well maintained? Does the setting look professional?  One office I visited in the past was shared office space.  The background noise as well as traffic to and from the offices was extremely distracting.
• Staff – How long have the staff worked at the office? Do they appear knowledgeable and sensitive to the issues experienced by those of us that are hard of hearing?  If there is a receptionist or a clerical assistant, does that individual communicate well? (Speak slowly if needed, use short sentences, repeat if necessary, write things down, answer basic questions).  Does the office offer the option of communicating by email?  (Sometimes communicating by e-mail is easier than using the telephone).  Is it easy to communicate with the office?  If you have questions, do they volunteer to get the answer and follow-up?
• Price – Is it clear what services are included, and what services are not included? Is the information presented in writing?  Is the written content easy to understand?  Is there a warranty with the hearing aid; and if so what is covered?
• Communication style – Is it easy to engage with the provider? Does the provider ask open-ended questions initially? (To understand lifestyle so as to make an effective recommendation)  What is the body language of the provider?  Does the person seem interested?  If the provider is doing most of the talking, that may be a clue that they aren’t truly interested in your unique situation.  Listen and trust your intuition.   One office I visited in the past was located in an old house.  The staff person rambled on about how expensive it was to maintain the house.  The discussion had nothing to do with my needs.   Ask yourself – Does it feel as if the provider truly cares about me as a unique individual?
• Technology – While you may not be interested in using assistive devices right now, does it appear that the provider is capable and confident with technology? And perhaps equally important, is there a demonstrated willingness and patience to teach clients how to use devices?  This learning curve can feel overwhelming to the client and it makes all the difference to experience sincere care and interest on the part of whoever is teaching how to use the technology.
• Demonstrating how to use new hearing aids – The environment needs to be quiet and ideally there is a minimum of background noise. One provider in my past attempted to orient me to my new aids without wearing the aids. Of course it was impossible.

In conclusion, take your time making your choice, and remember you are the customer!