There are three things do when shopping for a hearing center, says Eric Stratton, owner and operator of Advanced Instruments Hearing Aid Centers in Vacaville, Fairfield and Sonoma, "First, find a location with posted hours and can check their references," he says. "False claims and incorrect advertising may lead you to believe that they're something they are not." Eric recommends checking references online, with a center's patients, and with doctors in the area.
"Second," Eric continues, "Avoid any provider that feels high-pressure. If they're selling you a 'today-only' price, that's a sign they don't have your best interest at heart. You should never feel rushed or pressured into purchasing anything," he says.
"Third, make sure it's a comfortable environment. You should feel welcomed and allowed to bring along a friend or relative with you to discuss your options. It is a profound event when someone is brave enough to walk in and look into hearing aids. It's a process that should be fully respected."
Here is a list of questions to consider when choosing a hearing a hearing aid center:
• How long has the business been in operation at that location?
• What are the hours of operation, and are the hours posted?
• Who is the owner? Is the owner local, or out of the state?
• If there is a problem, whom can I talk to?
• How long has the Hearing Aid Dispenser been licensed by the State of California?
• What other certifications and credentials do they have beyond the basic dispensers license? For example, the National Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences; Audiologist with a Masters or PHD; Audioprosthologist, etc.
• How long is the warranty for? Who backs up the warranty (preferably the manufacturing laboratory)? What costs does the warranty cover?
• For how long is the “Loss and Damage” Insurance that comes with the hearing aids? Does the lab back it up? How much is the deductible?
• What do they say the life of a hearing aid is? The national average is 3 ½ - 4 years; hearing aids often last 5 to 8 years.
• Are you being offered hearing aids in a wide variety of models and prices, or just the most expensive ones?
• How long do you have to return the hearing aids for a full refund? • State law (the Song Beverly Act) requires a 30-day trial period. Most labs give the dispenser 90 days. Better offices offer 60- to 90-day trial periods. During this period, the hearing aid is 100% refundable.
• Is there a fee for follow-up visits? If not, how long are follow-up visits included at no extra cost?
• Ask what the dispenser can do to help you get used to the hearing aids (sometimes programs for auditory rehabilitation are available).
• How many labs does the office use? Three or more? Or is the dispenser limited to just one or two labs? I would advise working with dispensers that are multi-line, with a wide variety of solutions for the patient’s needs.
Getting fitted with hearing aids is not a one-visit arrangement. There will usually be several visits during the fitting period, and then periodic visits over the years for cleaning, annual testing, and hearing aid adjustments. Therefore you're well served to work with an office you feel comfortable in, with an office “culture” or ambience that you like.
Find out what protocols the dispenser uses for fittings. Do they use Real Ear Measurement or Live Speech Mapping? These are fitting verification procedures used by good dispensers to assure the hearing aids are properly amplifying speech.
Are you being rushed to make a decision? Are you comfortable working with the dispenser and the office staff? Beware of “today only” pricing, i.e., "If you don’t get it now, the price will go up." Usually the labs are very consistent in their wholesale pricing, and “today only” discounts are just high-pressure sales gimmicks, created at the retail end. Most labs publish an MSRP list (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). MSRPs are much higher than hearing aids are actually sold and fit for in the real world.
It is a good idea to bring a spouse or family member when looking for hearing aids. You can use them as a sounding board to discuss the decision with. You can ask the dispenser for a list of patients they have fit for reference purposes.
You can have confidence in your choice of businesses to deal with by using a practice that has been awarded Diamond Certified.
