There are now so many different ways for Americans to buy hearing aids. They can make a purchase at their doctor’s office, grocery store, online retailers, or a clinic. This innovation within the hearing care industry has made it easier for consumers. But the question is: can wearers get the best from their hearing aids if they buy without the advice of an audiologist?

Highly Tuned Equipment

Back in the old days, hearing aids were simply micro amplifiers attached to an outer casing, created to fit around a person’s ear. This rudimentary design didn’t allow wearers to personalize their experience. Today, hearing aids are exquisitely produced pieces of technology that have the power to completely revolutionize someone’s perception of the world. However, each manufacturer uses its own sophisticated program software, which needs to be individually tuned to suit a person’s particular condition. Without these adjustments, a consumer won’t only reduce their hearing aid’s working capacity, but they may also undermine the effectiveness of it as a treatment solution.

Issues With Online Buying

Many patients who come through our doors at Audicles have initially spent money on a pair of hearing aids they bought online. But without the technical expertise needed to correctly program them, they’ve come to see them as largely ineffectual for treating hearing problems. In contrast, our expert audiologists can offer them clarity and precision in how to buy a product that can actually benefit their specific condition.

After their hearing aids arrive in our office, audiologists then carry out a personal fitting, where they can customize the device to work for the individual patient.

Hearing Aid Fittings

If you buy a hearing aid from a retailer other than a clinic, you’ll likely have to spend extra money if you decide to later get them fitted. At Audicles, this is all part of the service. Fittings don’t generally occur on just one occasion but take place over a number of different sessions. This means an audiologist can adjust your device for the specific environments in which you often find yourself – whether this is at home, on the road, or in work locations. In many cases, audiologists develop a lifelong relationship with their patients, meaning they know exactly how their condition is progressing each time they come back to be re-examined.

What Should I Do Next?

If you believe you have a hearing loss and are considering whether to purchase a hearing aid, we at Audicles recommend you instead contact us about a hearing evaluation. At this personal appointment with one of our certified audiologists, they will quickly and efficiently diagnose your specific type of hearing difficulty. After this, they can discuss treatment options. Not all conditions require hearing aids. But if this is the best option, they can offer life-changing advice on what could be the best solution.

Are you thinking of buying a hearing aid from somewhere other than a clinic? Why not contact us to request a callback about an appointment instead? We’re ready to improve your hearing today!