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Key Takeaways:
- What credentials you should look for when choosing an audiologist
- Other factors that set a provider apart
- How you can benefit from audiologist care
American Hearing & Balance serves the entire Los Angeles area, including Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach, Westchester, Manhattan Beach, Westwood and Marina del Rey, California, providing the hearing care you need to ensure you never miss a conversation.
Choosing the best audiologist in Los Angeles requires knowing what makes an audiologist excellent to get the comprehensive care you need.
What Is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a primary care professional who identifies, assesses, and manages hearing, balance, and neural system disorders.
Audiologists treat patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, and work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, the military, and private practices.
Most audiologists obtain a doctor of audiology (AuD) degree, though some obtain a Ph.D. or ScD degree in the hearing and balance sciences.
In addition, audiologists must obtain a license or registration in all states and are required to attend continuing education classes to stay abreast of new technologies and techniques to care for patients.
Some audiologists choose to further their education through certifications by the American Academy of Audiology or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Qualified Audiology Team Members
Many audiologist practices employ qualified, specialized healthcare professionals who work closely with the audiologist to care for patients, increasing the availability of audiology services and reducing patient costs.
Audiology assistants can specialize as hearing instrument specialists and hearing aid dispensers. In California, these professionals require a state license to practice. In addition, audiology assistants must pass a written and practical exam to obtain their license.
A hearing instrument specialist and hearing aid dispenser can make ear-mold impressions and sell, fit, and program hearing aids to ensure patients can hear clearly and comfortably.
How Do You Find the Best Audiologist?
The US Bureau of Labor reports that there are over a thousand audiologists in the state of California. Therefore, narrowing down your choices is always the first step. Your primary care provider can provide a referral, or you can call your insurance company to start your search with well-respected audiologists who work within your insurance plan.
Determining the best audiologist for your needs requires considering several factors. Once you consider these factors, schedule a consultation to ensure your audiologist is a doctor you can trust.
Approach to Care
Studies show patients experience better health outcomes when they trust their physician, so your audiologist’s approach to caring for you or your family member is critical.
An ideal audiologist prioritizes patient care, gets to know you and your needs, and customizes a treatment plan based on your lifestyle. The audiologists and hearing instrument specialists on staff at American Hearing & Balance are known for taking a personal and comprehensive approach with their patients.
Advanced Technology
Auditory technology is rapidly progressing, making hearing tests more convenient and comprehensive, hearing services more accessible, and hearing aids and enhancement devices better than ever.
When finding a good audiologist, ensure you choose a practice that uses the most advanced technology, so you can reap the benefits of the industry’s technological advances.
What Sets Them Apart
You have many options to choose from when finding a local audiologist, so when you’re seeking the care of hearing professionals, look for a practice that offers something others can’t provide.
Check online reviews, pay attention to the number of reviews a practice has, and read reviews specifically referencing your hearing concerns. Choosing the right specialist depends on what needs you’re addressing. Some audiologists may be better suited to treating certain specialties, such as:
- Pediatrics
- Balance disorders
- Tinnitus
- Meniere’s disease
Audiology practices with extensive history and experience providing patients with exceptional care, like American Hearing & Balance’s 40 years of hearing care in the Los Angeles area, have the expertise necessary to treat any hearing condition.
Ease of Access
A conveniently located audiologist is essential, especially if you require ongoing care. Choosing a practice with multiple locations or a location that’s easily accessible and takes your insurance plan makes a significant difference when you need recurring appointments.
Outcomes
The outcome of your care is of primary importance. Therefore, when reading reviews, ensure the audiologist you choose has happy patients who receive optimal results.
The American Hearing & Balance team prides itself in meeting our patient’s needs and providing exceptional treatment, employing the latest technology, and delivering optimal outcomes.
We offer eight conveniently located offices to remove as many obstacles as possible when offering care, and we provide in-home hearing care for those unable to come to us.
What Are the Patient Outcomes for Using an Audiologist?
When patients see an audiologist for hearing loss, audiologists work to improve their ability to detect sounds and improve loudness perception, communication, and understanding. The ideal outcome is inclusion and better communication if a patient experiences age-related hearing loss or is a candidate for cochlear implants.
When patients visit their audiologist for vertigo, the outcome goal is to restore balance and eliminate dizziness.
Common Questions Associated with Being Treated by an Audiologist
Patients seeking the care of an audiologist often ask similar questions. These are among the most common.
How Accurate Are Audiology Tests?
Depending on your symptoms, your audiologist can assess your condition using various hearing and balance tests. One of the most common audiology tests is an audiogram, which determines the extent of your hearing loss and the frequencies affected.
An audiogram is highly accurate, with a sensitivity level of 92% and a specificity of 94% when detecting hearing impairment.
What Are My Options for Assistive Hearing Devices?
Hearing aids are the most popular assistive hearing device. However, patients with extensive hearing loss who don’t want to wear a hearing aid all the time may benefit from alerting devices that can identify if the phone is ringing or if someone is at the door.
Patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss may choose a hearing enhancement device, which looks and feels like a regular pair of earbuds but offers sound amplification and clarity.
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Audiologist?
An excellent audiologist is someone patients feel comfortable explaining their concerns to and who offers experienced insight that considers their needs. Some characteristics to look for include:
- Experience
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Compassion
- Problem-solving skills
- Superior time management skills
These characteristics ensure that your visits will be comprehensive and practical without wasting time.
Schedule an Appointment with American Hearing and Balance
Discover the benefits of choosing an experienced audiologist known for providing patients with exceptional service when you select American Hearing & Balance.
Serving the entire Los Angeles area, including Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach, Westchester, Manhattan Beach, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Marina del Rey, California, learn why patients seeking the best audiologists end up at American Hearing & Balance when you schedule your consultation.
