Our patients sometimes ask us to compare our services, as a private practice audiology clinic, with those in a big-box warehouse store. Below, we summarize the main differences.
| |
Big-Box Hearing Center |
Private Hearing Center |
| Training and Experience |
- Majority of providers are hearing instrument specialists.
- In Idaho, specialists must hold a high school diploma and pass a practical and a written examination.
|
- Audiologists entering the profession must hold a doctoral degree (4 years of graduate level university education / clinical experience). Education requires extensive training in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.
- Clinical skills have been evaluated in multiple settings by experienced audiologists.
|
| Measuring & Adjusting the Hearing Aids |
- Big box stores generally do not have the measurement equipment to allow a precise hearing aid fitting.
- When stores have measurement equipment, often the personnel do not have the training to use the equipment properly.
|
- Audiologists utilize real-ear measurement equipment in fitting hearing aids in order to ensure that your hearing aids are properly fitted.
- Research has demonstrated that real-ear measures are vital to maximizing the audibility and comfort of hearing aid fittings.
|
| Environment |
- Located within a warehouse, with little privacy for patients waiting to see specialist.
- Noise from warehouse may interfere with consultations and hearing tests.
|
- Comfortable office with a waiting room. Conversations between the provider and patients take place in a private setting.
- Hearing test booth is situated in a quiet setting to ensure validity of test results.
|
| Services |
- Unlikely to find an individual that is qualified to properly diagnosed hearing loss and balance disorders.
- Very limited diagnostic equipment available.
- Tinnitus treatment is not offered. Services beyond hearing aids are limited.
- Generally do not perform cerumen (earwax) removal.
|
- Wide breadth of clinical equipment and knowledge, which allows proper diagnoses of hearing and balance to be completed.
- Audiologists can address and treat tinnitus. They also can test children.
- Qualified to perform cerumen (earwax) removal.
|
| Hearing Aid Technology |
- Limited to a few manufacturers and models.
- Does not offer CROS for single sided deafness.
- Do not work with cochlear implants or bone anchored hearing aids
- Hearing aids may be locked so only stores within the chain can adjust the hearing aids.
- Hearing aids may not be repairable after 4-5 years.
- Technology may not always be current.
|
- Dispenses a wide range of models across multiple manufacturers.
- Offers CROS hearing aids and bone conduction devices.
- Some audiologists are qualified to work with cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids.
- Can generally have hearing aids repaired, even if they are older than 5 years.
- Provides the most current and up to date technology.
|
Training and Experience
Big-Box Hearing Center
- Majority of providers are hearing instrument specialists.
- In Idaho, specialists must hold a high school diploma and pass a practical and a written examination.
Private Hearing Center
- Audiologists entering the profession must hold a doctoral degree (4 years of graduate level university education / clinical experience). Education requires extensive training in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.
- Clinical skills have been evaluated in multiple settings by experienced audiologists.
Measuring & Adjusting the Hearing Aids
Big-Box Hearing Center
- Big box stores generally do not have the measurement equipment to allow a precise hearing aid fitting.
- When stores have measurement equipment, often the personnel do not have the training to use the equipment properly.
Private Hearing Center
- Audiologists utilize real-ear measurement equipment in fitting hearing aids in order to ensure that your hearing aids are properly fitted.
- Research has demonstrated that real-ear measures are vital to maximizing the audibility and comfort of hearing aid fittings.
Environment
Big-Box Hearing Center
- Located within a warehouse, with little privacy for patients waiting to see specialist.
- Noise from warehouse may interfere with consultations and hearing tests.
Private Hearing Center
- Comfortable office with a waiting room. Conversations between the provider and patients take place in a private setting.
- Hearing test booth is situated in a quiet setting to ensure validity of test results.
Services
Big-Box Hearing Center
- Unlikely to find an individual that is qualified to properly diagnosed hearing loss and balance disorders.
- Very limited diagnostic equipment available.
- Tinnitus treatment is not offered. Services beyond hearing aids are limited.
- Generally do not perform cerumen (earwax) removal.
Private Hearing Center
- Wide breadth of clinical equipment and knowledge, which allows proper diagnoses of hearing and balance to be completed.
- Audiologists can address and treat tinnitus. They also can test children.
- Qualified to perform cerumen (earwax) removal.
Hearing Aid Technology
Big-Box Hearing Center
- Limited to a few manufacturers and models.
- Does not offer CROS for single sided deafness.
- Do not work with cochlear implants or bone anchored hearing aids
- Hearing aids may be locked so only stores within the chain can adjust the hearing aids.
- Hearing aids may not be repairable after 4-5 years.
- Technology may not always be current.
Private Hearing Center
- Dispenses a wide range of models across multiple manufacturers.
- Offers CROS hearing aids and bone conduction devices.
- Some audiologists are qualified to work with cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids.
- Can generally have hearing aids repaired, even if they are older than 5 years.
- Provides the most current and up to date technology.
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