By: Kumiko T. B. Dunn, Ph.D., CCC-A
East Valley Hearing Center, Inc.
6262 E. Broadway Rd., Ste. 103
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 830-0994
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www.eastvalleyhearing.com

This question has been asked of us on a number of occasions in our private audiology practice. Audiologists are extensively trained healthcare providers similar to primary care physicians (PCPs), nurses, optometrists, and dentists. So it is a bit of a puzzle when we consider the reason some would ask why they have to pay for our medical services; few are likely to ask if they have to pay for a visit to their PCP when they have a cold, or for a visit to their optometrist for an eye test in order to get new glasses or contacts.

“I can get one just down the road for free.”

This statement often follows the first and brings to light the reason the first question got asked. By “down the road”, the questioners are often referring to locations where hearing aids are sold, often by people licensed as “hearing aid dispensers” and not audiologists. Hearing aid dispensers have primarily been trained to test their patients’ hearing for the purpose of deciding if a patient might be able to wear hearing aids successfully. Audiologists have, of course, also been trained to do this but the bulk of their education (8+ years beyond high school) is in the science of determining the possible source of a person’s hearing problems. In addition, audiologists are trained to determine the most effective treatment options for a patient’s unique needs, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids, middle ear implants, aural rehabilitation and assistive listening devices [ALDs]. Hearing aids can be an effective tool in improving one’s ability to understand conversation and communicate with others but the audiologist’s role is to use all tools available to improve these important aspects of life. Finally, there is also a difference between the hearing aid dispenser and the audiologist in the eyes of the insurance company. If a person’s insurance coverage will pay for a hearing test, a hearing test done by an audiologist will generally be paid for by insurance; a hearing test done by a hearing aid dispenser, however, typically will not.

We provide a complete and comprehensive hearing evaluation that will be used to provide you with the best hearing care possible. The team of audiologists and staff at East Valley Hearing Center hope that this provides a better understanding of why we ask for payment for our services. We are here for far more than to simply sell hearing aids. Our objectives are to determine the possible reason(s) for our patients’ hearing difficulties and to provide recommendations for the most effective ways to help relieve or reduce them.

East Valley Hearing Center is composed of providers, who are Doctors of Audiology (Au.D.) and Ph.D. Audiologists, Audiology Assistants, and support staff. We would be happy to serve you and your hearing needs.