Bad experience with audiologist
goldy
paid $1,100 deposit and a non refundable $150 fitting fee. I was told
I could trial the hearing aids for one month. Where it becomes unfair
is that the molds for the hearing aid did not arrive until the trial
had almost ended. The hearing aid was not properly adjusted and did
not respond to the remote (L ear), The battery compartment came off
on the (R) hearing aid. I really have not had time for a proper trial
but I have to return them and lose my $150 without being able to trial
them properly. I could go ahead and trial others but because I no
longer have confidence in the fitter - she seemed very inexperienced -
I think I must take these aids back, lose my $150 and just count my
losses. Itr is a risk if you encounter an inexperienced young fitter
as I did. I will try to find someone who is experienced - perhaps
older. Do others have any recommendations on how to find someone I
can be confident in and not lose my $150 yet AGAIN. thanks for this
wonderful forum.
Don
encountered. I am trying out new aids now and they have already told me
that they can extend the trial. Just be certain that there is a meeting
of the minds and exactly when the extended trial will end.
wgd.r...@verizon.net
one audiologist in town, simply negotiate, rather simply ask for the
extension. Based on what you said about the battery comparment + mold
availability, only a crook would not be understanding, i.e. extend
time accordingly. Only makes sense based on what you said. IF you
have absolutely lost confidence regardless of the extension, ask for
the $150.oo and go elsewhere. They then have two choices: give you
back the $150, or keep it and potentially loose future business (by
your spreading the word at the next bridge club evening!
This IS retail. Markets are tight right now. THEY should work with
you. BTW, is the young audiologist THE owner or one who works for a
firm?
Out of four audiologists in my neighborhood, only ONE would not give
me a copy of the chart. Also NONE charged for the tests.
Wayne Dengel
Sunny Sarasota where IKE when elsewhere!
Mason C
I'm unable to avoid doing this:
Have you considered America Hears?
There are at least three AH users regular here who can give you
their experience.
Mason C
sorry, doc !
wgd.r...@verizon.net
At the risk of being labeled a fanatic, I ditto Mason's suggestion, I,
too, suggest that you take a look at America Hears and Genesis.
Wayne D.
Ken
> At the risk of being labeled a fanatic, I ditto Mason's suggestion, I,
> too, suggest that you take a look at America Hears and Genesis.
>
> Wayne D.
>
> On Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:28:35 -0700, Mason C
>
I delayed getting help with hearing for about a year because of of all
the alarming stories I had heard about hearing aid dispensers -
inadequate training and motivated to make a buck rather than help
clients - people being sold expensive aids which finished up in a
drawer because the recipient found them useless. So I spent about a
year learning the difference between dispensers and audiologists -
who, at least, have a uni degree. I also learnt that some audiologists
are just dispensers with mail-order qualifications.
But I finally located a good audiologist - with the help of hearing
support groups and word-of-mouth - and have never regretted it (even
though the lady was located in another city - 200km away).
Since then, in this group, I have learnt that, as well as not all so-
called audiologists being up to scratch, there are a few good
dispensers. The lesson is the same as finding any other pro - don't
rely on their ads or their signs or the fancy letters after their
name. Find out if they look after their clients. And if they don't
inspire confidence face to face then your instincts are probably
correct. Go elsewhere. And never hesitate to get a second opinion.
Finally don't be a skinflint. Good help does not come cheap (nor
should it).
hu...@hummahumma.com
<kker...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>I also learnt that some audiologists
>are just dispensers with mail-order qualifications.
I don't know what country you are residing in, but in the U.S. and
Canada Audiologists do not " have mail order qualifications". Ahh, I
see an .au address . Maybe Aussies have laxer rules. although you do
have the National Acoustics Laboratory one of the worlds premier
research institutes for audiological and hearing aid research...
Ken
If you check beck in the group you will find that it is (or, at least
was), apparently, possible, in the US, to obtain a audie degree (phd
no less) by 'distance learning' - correspondence. The college in
question, which claims to be accredited, also does degrees in that
bone manipulation thing and, no doubt, phrenology. But there have been
plenty of reports on audiologists just as bad as goldy's and,
presumably, at least some of them had legitimate qualifications. And
we have all heard of incompetent doctors. In the US the distinction
between dispensers and audiologists is blurred by the fact that most
of the latter, like all of the former, do not charge directly for
their services. Rather, like a car salesman, the payment for
diagnosis, fitting and follow-up is bundled in the cost of the hearing
aid (usually set by the manufacturer).
goldy
Thanks to all for your suggestions. Re American Hears - I only wish
they were here in Australia. I even emailed them to see if they sent
hearing aids by mail as they are so incredibly cheap compared to
here. Ther Bernafon Prio (with remote)would cost me $4300 for both
ears if I went ahead and bought them. I never received a reply from
them, so I assume they do not.
I was told by the Hearing Aid Company they need to return the aid
after one month or they lose their money, so no extension is
possible. I think looking for a well qualified audiologist may be the
way to go and count my losses. I find my old Oticon in ears can be
turned up much louder than these BTE ones I have been trialing which
cost twice as much. I think this may just be bad programming though.
dsi1
>
> Thanks to all for your suggestions. Re American Hears - I only wish
> they were here in Australia. I even emailed them to see if they sent
> hearing aids by mail as they are so incredibly cheap compared to
> here. Ther Bernafon Prio (with remote)would cost me $4300 for both
> ears if I went ahead and bought them. I never received a reply from
> them, so I assume they do not.
> I was told by the Hearing Aid Company they need to return the aid
> after one month or they lose their money, so no extension is
> possible. I think looking for a well qualified audiologist may be the
> way to go and count my losses. I find my old Oticon in ears can be
> turned up much louder than these BTE ones I have been trialing which
> cost twice as much. I think this may just be bad programming though.
Find someone in the US to purchase the aids for you. Mr. Mason C.?
Dr. Michael W. Ridenhour
They are not telling the truth. Manufacturers give us 90 days to return
hearing aids without cost and will extend even that, if necessary.
Write your hearing aid board and report them.
Dr. R.
hu...@hummahumma.com
<kker...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>If you check beck in the group you will find that it is (or, at least
>was), apparently, possible, in the US, to obtain a audie degree (phd
>no less) by 'distance learning' - correspondence
Quote: If you check beck in the group you will find that it is (or, at
least was), apparently, possible, in the US, to obtain a audie degree
(phd no less) by 'distance learning' - correspondence
While that may be true, it won't qualify for licensure which is
required to practice, nor will it allow one to obtain third party
reimbursement. I'd like to see the name on ONE practising US "audie"
who is using phony "mail-order" credentials.
Dr. Michael W. Ridenhour
It was possible for a few years for a working Mom to achieve a doctorate
from one of several accredited medical school affiliated universities by
mainly online study. This window of opportunity was available so that
experienced and motivated people could be rewarded for long service to
the hearing impaired with a degree comparable to other clinical degrees.
It required the equivalent study of a medical student, who, after all
spends only 3 years in classes and 1 year in clinical studies for her
medical degree.
This window for audiologists has closed now, and the degree must be
achieved now using the medical model: 4 years after college (3
classwork, 1 clinical study.)
Obtaining licensure (required) is no easier than before the Au. D. One
cannot practice audiology, or , in Virginia, call oneself an
audiologist, without licensure, as humma states.
Dr. Ridenhour
frag
Whoever you use next time make it absolutely *clear* that the 1 month trial
starts from the day you have the aids and they have been set up/calibrated
for you.
--
frag
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Don
> starts from the day you have the aids and they have been set up/calibrated
> for you.
Are you saying that the 30 day trial should start after they get the
hearing aids adjusted? I have found that we are still in the process of
"adjusting" when my 30 days expires. So I return the aids without
knowing if they would have been right for me. Too bad.
Dr. Michael W. Ridenhour
I don't think its very professional to stick to a hidebound
interpretation of a 30 day trial. Ask for a 60, or an extension. Get it
in writing.
Dr. R..
frag
I'm saying thats what I would insist the audiologist agrees with me, or I
would take my money and business elsewhere. I've no doubt that the actual
terms the audiologists try to use vary from one to another, the time of
day, how many "q" are in the month name and what they had for breakfast
that morning!!
As you found out, it just wastes your time, their time, and guarantees they
don't get a sale otherwise.
--
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