Can You Trust Audiologists?

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Doug5

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The ones Ive seen in the past seem to be pretty biased to the ha they carry.

What have been your experiences?
 
I trusted them. They help me so much and provided me best hearing-aids
 
I adore my audiologist. She is wonderful! She is not biased towards one brand or another at all. To be honest I didn't really shop around for my aids. I told her that price didn't really matter and she just gave me what she thought was best. When my hearing changed she ordered me knew aids without asking me first. Some people might not like that but I don't mind it at all. She knows what she is doing, we get along well, and I trust her one hundred percent!
 
It's not just brand bias. There are tons of audiologists who know nothing about deafness as in deafies here....most of them deal with hearing (mostly seniors) people who lose some of their hearing later in life. So if you find an audiologist who knows more than that, especially as regards the CI as well as HAs, communication issues, etc, etc, hang on to them!
 
Just as there are incompetent doctors, there are incompetent audiologists. Fortunately I've only had the misfortune to run into one, and that was more than 20 years ago, when I was looking for a new HA and she told my parents that even though I had a profound hearing loss, a tiny in-the-ear HA was all that I needed instead of the BTE we were trying to replace that had quit working. The in-the-ear HA was a joke!!! Unfortunately my parents were suckered in and didn't realize until later that they'd pretty much thrown money down the toilet as since it was in-the-ear there was no refund.

The best thing to do is "shop around" and ask your local deaf group etc, if they can recommend a competent audiologist.
 
I agree with the incompetence statement, Neecy; however, allow me to make another distinction via a real-life (mine) example as regards audies, not necessarily indicating anything about ethics but wondering if there are more than one "kind" of audie: One day, just out of curiosity, I asked the folks at HearX if they dealt with culturally deaf folks, especially those with CIs and I was told that they do not; they refer them to someone else who has more expertise in that field. So.......what do you think of that?
 
you guys make some good points.

I had a bad experience with an audiologist that didnt treat my metal allergy seriously. She kept pushing a ha that had lots of exposed metal on it.

I had a similar experience with an eye doctor and contact lenses. He didnt have the one with the proper size in stock, and he pressured me to just buy one that was "close enough" in size that was in stock. It pissed me off cuz we are not talking about shoes or clothing.
 
I need to establish a rapport with them before I trust them completely and there were a few that I felt who were sincere about my needs rather than thinking what I need. Like Tousi and Neecy stated..there are some incompetence some but doesnt mean all shouldnt be trusted. Just have to "shop" around until you find the one that you feel comfortable with.
 
I didn't trust the first 2 I went to---> I started sneezing uncontrollably in their office and they asked why, and I told them I'm allergic to bullshit.

Anyway the last one was great and very compatible to younger clients with severe losses and cosmetic desires.
 
There was only one audiologist that I meet over the years that I trusted because she knew ASL!

It's always nice to go to an audiologist that knows sign language and isn't afraid of the Deaf community.

She even 'celebrated' when I showed up in her office as she loved to use sign language....

Those audiologists are the ones that we need to hang onto!
 
Tousi said:
It's not just brand bias. There are tons of audiologists who know nothing about deafness as in deafies here....most of them deal with hearing (mostly seniors) people who lose some of their hearing later in life. So if you find an audiologist who knows more than that, especially as regards the CI as well as HAs, communication issues, etc, etc, hang on to them!
Click to expand...

Well said!
 
hohDougRN said:
I didn't trust the first 2 I went to---> I started sneezing uncontrollably in their office and they asked why, and I told them I'm allergic to bullshit.

Anyway the last one was great and very compatible to younger clients with severe losses and cosmetic desires.
Click to expand...

You really, literally did this?
 
Some of the Audi I had growing up sucked ass!

But the Audi last year & this year was the best I've ever had! Sadly, she's moving to FL so all you FL CI''ers are going to be very lucky to have her! :P

I met my new Audi today and so far she seems great. :)
 
Byrdie714 said:
There was only one audiologist that I meet over the years that I trusted because she knew ASL!

It's always nice to go to an audiologist that knows sign language and isn't afraid of the Deaf community.

She even 'celebrated' when I showed up in her office as she loved to use sign language....

Those audiologists are the ones that we need to hang onto!
Click to expand...

I used to really value an audiologist who knew lots about deafies, and that knew ASL. My current audie doesn't. She can finger spell, and signs thank you at me sometimes but that is about it.

That being said, she isn't afraid to ask me questions and she is always willing to learn. I value that in any medical proffessional, a willingness to learn.
 
JennyB said:
I used to really value an audiologist who knew lots about deafies, and that knew ASL. My current audie doesn't. She can finger spell, and signs thank you at me sometimes but that is about it.

That being said, she isn't afraid to ask me questions and she is always willing to learn. I value that in any medical proffessional, a willingness to learn.
Click to expand...

Your last line....interesting perspective. Me? Not at my expense, I don't think.
 
Tousi said:
Your last line....interesting perspective. Me? Not at my expense, I don't think.
Click to expand...

My experience has been awesome with this particular audiologist. She is very young and just starting out. She will admit when she doesn't know something and search out answers from numerous sources. With her I sometimes feel like I am getting 7 or 8 opinions and sources of information instead of just one. I truly think that this benefits me greatly.

Also, the fact that she is willing to listen to me and tries her best to understand where I am coming from in both worlds (deaf/hearing) and then tries to come up with the best solution to fit both. She doesn't push things on me that I don't want and our lines of communication are always open. I am not afraid to tell her that I don't want to do something, and she is not afraid to give me her honest opinion.

I am the only client of hers that lives and thrives with the deaf community and culture, I am also one of her youngest clients (if not the youngest), and I am one of the very few with a profound loss. She admits that she doesn't have much experience in all three of those areas but I really think that works in my favor because we are learning together and she is always open minded to anything I suggest.

I find the same thing with my family doctor who is only a first year resident.
 
JennyB said:
My experience has been awesome with this particular audiologist. She is very young and just starting out. She will admit when she doesn't know something and search out answers from numerous sources. With her I sometimes feel like I am getting 7 or 8 opinions and sources of information instead of just one. I truly think that this benefits me greatly.

Also, the fact that she is willing to listen to me and tries her best to understand where I am coming from in both worlds (deaf/hearing) and then tries to come up with the best solution to fit both. She doesn't push things on me that I don't want and our lines of communication are always open. I am not afraid to tell her that I don't want to do something, and she is not afraid to give me her honest opinion.

I am the only client of hers that lives and thrives with the deaf community and culture, I am also one of her youngest clients (if not the youngest), and I am one of the very few with a profound loss. She admits that she doesn't have much experience in all three of those areas but I really think that works in my favor because we are learning together and she is always open minded to anything I suggest.

I find the same thing with my family doctor who is only a first year resident.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear this, Jenny; it certainly sounds a whole lot better now that you've elaborated a bit and I'm glad for you!
 
There are tons of audiologists who know nothing about deafness as in deafies here....most of them deal with hearing (mostly seniors) people who lose some of their hearing later in life
Click to expand...
That''s why I opted to go see an audi at Clarke School for the Deaf. They tend to be a lot more familiar with young dhh folks, rather then old people who just want dinky aids.
 
Luckily for me, I have a wonderful audiologist and ENT doctor together in the same office since I was a young kid. And I still see them both as of today. Amazing how old they have gotten! I trust their judgement and they are very good in allowing me to express my feelings, my needs and what I want for myself. They listen and discuss pros and cons with me and allow me to make my own decision for myself. They were there for me when it was emotional times that I have lost all of my hearing and it was a huge adjustment for me. THey were there for me. IF I had to relocate, I am not quite sure whom to trust.
 
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