Have you noticed that people are mumbling more than usual and that you are saying "what" a lot?  It might be time to consider getting your hearing checked!  A person could certainly have a quick screening at a health fair or in a doctor's office, but the best way to understand hearing loss and its effects on your life is to be tested by a certified audiologist/professional who can take all the necessary steps and the appropriate time to conduct testing and thoroughly explain results.  How does one find such a person?  Rather than just picking up the Yellow Pages, a little research can lead you to a competent, qualified, and caring professional.

 

One way to find a good audiologist is to simply ask a trusted medical doctor. 

Frequently during a yearly physical, the doctor will notice a hearing deficit, or another family member will mention a hearing problem for a particular patient, and the conversation will open up to referrals and recommendations.  Even doctors and nurses can have trouble with their hearing or they may have attended seminars and have personally met other professionals, so often times they can help a patient find a capable audiologist for testing and evaluation.

 

Another method is to seek recommendations from friends and other family members.  This is a great way to find a person who is "tried and true".  Conversely, it is also a good way to find out where not to go!  Certainly, everyone's hearing is different and a patient may be a better match with one audiologist over another, but as a first step into better hearing, a personal referral is a great starting point.

Along with advice from doctors and friends, the best way to find a terrific audiologist is to do your own leg work.  The advertising can be overwhelming!  There are big and little ads in the papers, on the radio, and in the mail.  So how do you sort everything out?  First, pick up the phone and call an office.  If the person on the phone is friendly and not too pushy, go ahead and make an appointment.  Most first appointments are complimentary, so it could be time very well spent.  On the other hand, if it seems to be all about selling you something and not about your hearing health, hang up fast!  Recommendations for certain hearing aids and specific prices can never be made over the phone before a hearing test and evaluation has been conducted.  If you are not a phone person, go to the office and walk in.  You probably can't be tested when you do this, but you can assess a setting in person, meet the front office staff, and hopefully the audiologist can say a quick hello.  In Loveland, we have had people schedule after a walk-in appraisal and tell us later that in several other offices, they didn't care to make it past the front desk!  Just like everything else in life, we know what we like and what we don't like, so take the time to do your own investigating.
 
In every state there are guidelines, educational requirements, registrations, and certifications that need to be met before someone can be listed as an audiologist or hearing professional.  In Colorado, a state registration is necessary, and to obtain this, a professional must pass national boards, maintain certification yearly, and complete several hours of continuing education annually.  Long gone are the days of door to door selling with no follow-up. State regulations are in place to protect the consumer from the beginning appointment on, so don't hesitate to ask about one's credentials during the initial inquiries. 

As part of your yearly health check up, why not include an evaluation of your hearing?  It is just as important as your basic physical exam and your eye test.  If you are not having problems at this time, the audiologist can get a baseline assessment and put you on an annual evaluation schedule. If testing reveals a hearing loss, the audiologist will consult with you about hearing aid options.  Even if your testing shows no problems with your hearing, you will obtain important information about qualified and compassionate hearing health care professionals so that you can make appropriate referrals for your friends and family members.