Is it normal to be paying for a consultation?

[nancyb]

I've just started looking for the right audiologist. One of the audis who came recommended charges to meet with you, that is unless you buy your hearing aid from her. Has anyone encountered that?

All the other consultations I have scheduled are free.

[TerryB]

I've not run into that in 15 yrs. of HAs. I'd take it as an indication that she's not a very good salesman.

TerryB

[RadarEars]

That's unusual, but I understand it. Are you in a densely populated area? She may be doing that to weed people out that might not be real serious about getting hearing aids. IDK:confused:

[Buckaroo]

Doesn't stand out as a red flag taken all by itself.

I can think of a lot of reasons why an audiologist would charge for consultation and the other posts here mention some good ones.

I travel a lot, and occasionally require service or consultation when traveling. Since I'm only passing through, it would be silly for them to give me service for free, and it would be equally silly for me to buy new HAs away from home. So there are always circumstances which make sense to charge for an office visit.

[ZCT]

I've just started looking for the right audiologist. One of the audis who came recommended charges to meet with you, that is unless you buy your hearing aid from her. Has anyone encountered that?

All the other consultations I have scheduled are free.

The hearing aid industry has for a long time used the free hearing test to get people in the door, since people have historically been quite reluctant to seek help for a hearing problem as soon as they should.

Audiologists can choose to charge for a hearing examination, and after all, why shouldn't they? They usually have a doctorate in audiology. You'd pay for an eye test, or a dental check up, so why not a hearing test?

[Melissa]

I've just started looking for the right audiologist. One of the audis who came recommended charges to meet with you, that is unless you buy your hearing aid from her. Has anyone encountered that?

All the other consultations I have scheduled are free.

I've gotten that with audiologists, but only once with a dispenser. I've probably seen a dozen pros over the past eleven years.

[Melissa]

The hearing aid industry has for a long time used the free hearing test to get people in the door, since people have historically been quite reluctant to seek help for a hearing problem as soon as they should.

Audiologists can choose to charge for a hearing examination, and after all, why shouldn't they? They usually have a doctorate in audiology. You'd pay for an eye test, or a dental check up, so why not a hearing test?

...because you can go to a hearing aid dispenser and get one for free? Or built into the price of the aids...

Obviously if you just want a hearing test or to have your ears checked, and it's not to be fit with hearing aids, then you should pay for the appt. Otherwise...in my opinion, if hearing aids are involved it should be free.

[dr.amy]

My eye exam isn't free (or included) when I go yearly and buy contacts....


dr.amy

[nancyb]

My eye exam isn't free (or included) when I go yearly and buy contacts....


dr.amy

I just want to clarify the situation. I had an audiogram done in March; so I don't need that. I think the receptionist might not have understood me entirely. I called recently to change my appointment, and this time she told me that when I came in, I'd get an audiogram and a consultation all for $200. When I told her I already had the audiogram she seemed a little flummoxed and said that the $200 would cover all the fittings/adjustments and a return if I didn't want any hearing aids at all. I'm honestly not sure whether this is reasonable or not.

So far I've encountered two audis who will charge you 10% of the HA cost if you don't buy from them, but who don't charge for a consultation and now the woman above who charges $200. I live in CT in the metropolitan NYC area. I'm not sure whether that has anything to do with what I've encountered or not. I also have not found any audi who gives more than a 30 day trial.

If anyone has a good audi in this geographical area, I'd appreciate a recommendation.

Nancy

[prodigyplace]

Nancy,

I don't know what your geographical area is, but here in Virginia, state law mandates a free 30 day trial period. The provider may only charge for medical, audiological, and hearing aid evaluation services.

I just recently had a failed trial of Phonak aids. The only amount I paid was the part of my audiogram that was not covered by my insurance. They even has custom earmolds made. They aid they would keep them in my file in case I returned.

I am now trying aids from HearSource. I cannot be any help on fondong an audiologist. I gave up and ordered online.

[NeedsumFriends]

Nancy,

I don't know what your geographical area is, but here in Virginia, state law mandates a free 30 day trial period. The provider may only charge for medical, audiological, and hearing aid evaluation services.


I just recently had a failed trial of Phonak aids. The only amount I paid was the part of my audiogram that was not covered by my insurance. They even has custom earmolds made. They aid they would keep them in my file in case I returned.

I am now trying aids from HearSource. I cannot be any help on fondong an audiologist. I gave up and ordered online.

Did you not read what Nancy posted ?

Nancy previously posted:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I just want to clarify the situation. I had an audiogram done in March; so I don't need that. I think the receptionist might not have understood me entirely. I called recently to change my appointment, and this time she told me that when I came in, I'd get an audiogram and a consultation all for $200. When I told her I already had the audiogram she seemed a little flummoxed and said that the $200 would cover all the fittings/adjustments and a return if I didn't want any hearing aids at all. I'm honestly not sure whether this is reasonable or not.

So far I've encountered two audis who will charge you 10% of the HA cost if you don't buy from them, but who don't charge for a consultation and now the woman above who charges $200. I live in CT in the metropolitan NYC area. I'm not sure whether that has anything to do with what I've encountered or not. I also have not found any audi who gives more than a 30 day trial.

If anyone has a good audi in this geographical area, I'd appreciate a recommendation.

Nancy"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In your reply you posted;

"I am now trying aids from HearSource. I cannot be any help on fondong an audiologist. I gave up and ordered online"

Are you implying that she should do the same? That is, trial self programming aides from Hearsource that come with a huge restocking fee. I think it would be more wise to seek out the advice of an experienced Audiologist before giving up and going the self-help route.

[prodigyplace]

NeedSumFriends,

Sorry I missed the geographical detail.

I actually returned the Hearsource aids because I could not get the performance I needed without feedback. They say it will take a week before they decide to refund.

Unless you do not need the speech enhancements, I do not recommend HearSource. Their service hours are also not as convenient as appears on their web site. Some people have suggested that America hears might be a better option, I don't know.

I am presently seeing a dispenser recommended by Starkey. I have some CIC aids on order that I should get next week. This dispenser did not charge for the audiogram and I get a 60 day trial period. I had to pay up front, but there is only a $50 per aid fee for a failed trial.