Comparing Our Audiologists To Hearing Instrument Specialists
October 28, 2008
In order to deliver the highest level of audiology services, CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, has only certified audiologists on our staff. That’s because when it comes to hearing exams and hearing aids, there is a dramatic differences in training and skill level between certified audiologists and so-called hearing instrument specialists. Your patients are typically unaware of these differences which include:
1. Audiologists Have Significantly More Education
Our certified audiologists each have a Master’s degree and have passed a standardized national competency exam.
Our certified audiologists each have a Master’s degree and have passed a standardized national competency exam. Much of their training was focused on the medical and diagnostic aspects of hearing and hearing loss. This allows our audiologists to recognize medical problems and, if appropriate, advise patients to seek the advice of an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
In contrast, hearing instrument specialists are only required to have a high school education and be licensed by the state to dispense hearing aids. Medical problems may be overlooked if they do not fit the specific set of criteria that the specialists are trained to identify.
Our audiologists can gather accurate, dependable hearing information from patients of any age, using a wide variety of diagnostic tests not utilized by hearing instrument specialists. With more education and greater understanding of test results, our audiologists can give a more competent diagnosis. This is especially helpful in children.
Our audiologists are not paid commission based on hearing aid sales or technology sold.
Hearing instrument specialists are only trained to dispense hearing aids. In contrast, audiologists provide hearing counseling, information about various assisted listening technologies (other than hearing aids), coping strategies for both the hearing impaired and their families, plus information about community and national resources.
For patients who can benefit from amplification, our audiologists evaluate each patient’s individual needs, including lifestyle, environment, dexterity and financial considerations, to determine the level of hearing aid technology recommended. Our audiologists are not paid commission based on hearing aid sales or technology sold.
For more information about the audiology services offered by CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, or to make a patient appointment, call the office closest to you. You can make appointments directly with our audiologists for hearing aid evaluations.
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