Doctor of Audiology

Buyer Beware

Hearing aid advertisements can be very misleading. First you should understand that most hearing aid offices are not audiology practices. For example in the Chico, Paradise, and Oroville area there are over a dozen hearing aid offices - only 2 offices have a licensed Audiologist. All the other offices are licensed hearing aid dispensers. As an Audiologist that also fits hearing aids I am required to have an audiology license and a hearing aid dispenser license. Obtaining a hearing dispensers license is relatively simple. The only educational requirement is a high school diploma. No vocational training or education is required. In fact, it is one of the only licenses issued by the state of CA that does not require some vocational training. Barbering and Cosmetology licenses require proof of training but hearing aid dispensing does not! I say this to help you understand the difference between an Audiologist and a dispenser and that difference is education.

Since the only income for a dispenser is selling hearing aids then typically most dispensers are "salesmen." Many people are fit with aids that should not have been. FDA guidelines for fitting aids are not always followed. People were sold what they thought was a high end hearing aid and received a low end model... I am not speculating on this, I have seen the evidence. If you feel a push to buy hearing aids, ...buyer beware. If you are being told that all your hearing problems will be solved with this or that model of hearing aid,... buyer beware.

Free Hearing Test
This is your first clue that the office is a hearing aid dispenser only. The hearing aid dispenser's license does not license the dispenser to perform diagnostic exams and it would be illegal to ever charge for the hearing aid candidacy testing they perform. Since they can not bill for testing, the only source of income for a dispenser is selling hearing aids and related products. If they discover that you have a need (hearing loss) you better believe they have a product to sell you (hearing aid). The testing provided by a dispenser should in no way be considered a diagnostic exam. It is a screening test to determine if you are eligible for hearing aids. The CA Department of Consumer Affairs is very clear about this and requires all dispensers to include a disclaimer about the free testing (ie., to determine your need for hearing aids). This is not bad or illegal in any way and many people have been fit by dispensers with harmonious results. But in my years of practice I have seen many unknowing people be "sold" inappropriate hearing aids for the purpose of the "sale."

Low Price Hearing Aid Ads
I saw an ad locally the other day that advertised a very low priced hearing aid but showed the picture of a Completely in the Canal (CIC) style aid. The ad also spoke of hearing better in restaurants and such. I can tell you that the CIC model of hearing aid with noise reduction capabilities that they alluded to was in no way the cost that they were advertising. Oh the ad did cover its tail by telling you exactly what model was being sold at the low price but what it did not tell you is that the picture and the feature also toted were not the same model. The low price is to get your attention and get you in the door.

Confusing Titles and Certifications
The title of "Hearing Aid Dispenser" is not always enough for the dispenser when it comes to selling hearing aids. So a variety of independent certifications are available to help give credibility to the dispenser. It's a way of trying to say they know more about hearing aids. But none of these certifications require any additional education at a vocational school or college. To me knowing the hearing aid is not enough, you must also have a professional knowledge of the human auditory system from ear to brain. Then you can make an expert fit between hearing aid and patient... Here are a few certifications that are out there: Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist (BC-HIS), Certified Audioprosthologist.  Here are some that are not even a certification, just self-proclaimed titles. Digital Expert and Factory Trained Specialist.

Mail Order/Internet Hearing Aids
The following information was taken directly from the CA Department of Consumer Affairs Web site www.dca.ca.gov/hearingaid/consumer/mail_order.htm.

Purchasing a hearing aid by mail order/internet may seem inexpensive, but there could be hidden costs.

Know your rights and the seller's responsibilities:
• California law provides that mail order/internet hearing aids may only be purchased through a dispenser licensed by the California Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau.

• The law states that when hearing aids are purchased by mail order/internet there must be no fitting, selection or adaptation of the instrument.

• By law, the seller may give no advice with respect to the taking of an ear impression (ear impressions are made to ensure the proper fit of a hearing aid).

• The law also requires that, prior to purchasing a hearing aid through mail order or the Internet, you must provide a statement signed by a physician, audiologist or licensed dispenser that verifies direct examination of your ear.

Beware of potential risks:
• To work effectively, hearing aids must fit right. If a mail-order/internet sale doesn't involve personal contact with a licensed dispenser, it's difficult for you to benefit from a proper fitting.

• Follow-up evaluation, which is important to ensure the hearing aid is working appropriately and meeting your needs, probably isn't available.

• It may be difficult to get a refund from an out-of-state seller. According to California law, if you are not satisfied with a hearing aid, and the hearing aid has not been specifically fit for your particular needs, you may receive a full refund if you return it to the seller within 30 days of receipt.

When preparing to purchase a hearing aid, remember to:
• Always deal with a licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser, to take best advantage of California's consumer-protection laws. Ask the dispenser if they're licensed in California, call the Bureau or check the Bureau's Web site to verify license status.

• Read the fine print on advertisements. If a pitch seems "too good to be true," it probably is.