Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 6/23/2008

Question
Hello,
I am 28 and have just been told I have a biaural loss of about 25%, dropping to 40% in the lower frequencies. The audiologist recommended hearing aids.
My question is, there are so many kinds and they cost so much money, how does one go about finding the right device? The audiologist that I saw tried to sell me a $6000 pair, but he seemed to speak more as a salesman than a doctor.
It surprised me that (in contrast to most medical professions) an audiologist would be allowed to sell aids; that seems like a conflict of interest. I assumed going into the test that it would work somewhat like with the glasses I wear. I go see an optometrist, he test my eyes and he writes the results down. I am then free to take those results anywhere I like to purchase my glasses. Is that not the case with hearing aids? This doctor said no, he said if he is testing my ears then he has to order the hearing aids. Is that true? There is some fine print on the sales paperwork that he gave me to look over that says "any examination, fitting, recommendation, or representation made by an audiologist in connection with the sale of this hearing instrument must not be regarded as medical opinion or advice." Is an audiologist not a doctor?
I am just confused now about what role the audiologist is supposed to play,and what my rights are as a patient.
thank you,
Annie

Answer
Hi Annie,
You raise so many issues that have been at the core of audiology for so long.  I won't get into the "ethical" issues of audiologists selling hearing aids, as it is a long and winding history, but, as in any profession, you will always find good and bad.  Now, for your particular concerns. An audiologist is not a medical doctor; rather, many of us do have doctorates in audiology. The audiologist is the key healthcare professional in evaluating and providing non-medical treatment for hearing loss.  Non-medical treatment involves hearing aids as well as aural rehabilitation. Now, if you do have a hearing loss, then, barring any medical problem, the best solution is hearing aids.  Hearing aids have become very advanced, almost like little computers, and it is not unusual to spend $6000 for a pair of premium hearing aids.  This is not to say that there may not be something a little less expensive that may do the job as well.  As for the audiologist saying that he has to order the aids, that is not true.  You have the legal right to a copy of your test results and you have the right to seek the advice of another audiologist if you are not comfortable with this one, just as you may seek a second opinion from a medical doctor.  If you wish to learn more about hearing aids, you may look at these sites: http://www.betterhearing.org/  and  http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology