2. How long have you been fitting hearing aids?
Fitting hearing aids correctly is both an art and a science. An audiologist who has fitted thousands of patients is more likely to recognize and solve problems, thereby ensuring a proper fitting while maximizing the potential of your hearing instruments. Less experienced hearing professionals may fail to activate up to 50% of a hearing aid’s capabilities. They’ll provide little or no follow-up care because they don’t know how to solve many hearing aid performance problems.

3. How will you determine what’s best for my hearing situation?
Your hearing professional should take a thorough history of your hearing problem and your general health. He should also discuss your life needs and perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation. In addition to routine tone and speech tests, he must perform measurements for comfortable and uncomfortable loudness levels with the goal of reestablishing normal loudness perception. Too often, hearing professionals omit these vital tests. These procedures are time consuming and many hearing professionals aren’t trained well enough to understand their importance.

4. How computer savvy are you?
Digital (computerized) hearing aids are the standard of the industry. Some hearing professionals may steer you away from premium digital hearing aids because they don't possess the programming skills needed to customize all of the available features to accommodate the individual's hearing loss. When this happens, you will not receive the full benefit these hearing aids have the potential to offer.

5. How many digital manufacturers do you work with?
It's a good sign if the audiologist works with several manufacturers. This is because every person's hearing loss is unique and each hearing aid model offers distinct features and capabilities that can be tailored to help you hear. The competent audiologist who chooses from a wide range of products is the most likely one to select the appropriate instruments for you. Some hearing professionals limit themselves to one brand to gain access to volume discounts. This is not in your best interest.

6. Do all digital hearing aids work the same?
No, they don't. Your hearing professional should be able to elaborate on what today’s digital hearing aids can and cannot do. Ask him to describe the advantages of what the leading hearing aid manufacturers offer– including Widex, Phonak, GN ReSound, Oticon and Siemens.

7. What fees and costs should I expect
There should never be any surprises. All of the costs should be explained to you up front and in writing. Your prospective audiologist should strive to work within your budget to give you maximum value for your dollar.

8. What if I’m not satisfied?
Your audiologist should explain that California law requires a 30-day trial period for any hearing instruments you are evaluating. He should also inform you that you are entitled to a FULL refund if you are dissatisfied for any reason before the trial period ends. Be suspicious if you are not informed of these legal rights.

Ask Jeff Grama, M.A., at Hearing Aid Services of Hollywood to answer these questions. He'll be happy to take as much time as you need. Call (323) 463-7109 or e-mail him at info@lahearing.com.