Would you like to make an appointment with an audiologist? Have you moved or has your previous audiologist relocated or retired? If you’re on the hunt for an audiologist, here are three methods you can employ to track down the best audiologist in your area.

1. Recommendations and referrals

Word of mouth is incredibly useful when it comes to choosing medical professionals of any kind. It can be hugely reassuring to see somebody who has received glowing reviews from a friend or work colleague or a firm endorsement from a family physician. It’s always worth asking around to see if anybody you know has seen an audiologist in the area and finding out more about their experiences. It’s also a good idea to talk to your physician, as it’s likely they will have knowledge about audiologists in the area. Recommendations point you in the direction of practitioners who are reputable and respected.

2. Checking your insurance

If you plan to make an insurance claim for your audiologist appointment, it’s advisable to check your insurance policy and make sure providers you’re considering are covered by your plan. Get in touch with your insurance company to find an accepted provider and double check with them that the treatments or services that are recommended to you are covered. It’s best to do this before you agree to go ahead with treatment. Your insurance policy may dictate the options that are available to you. If you’ve made that call, and you have a list of names in front of you, visit websites, read reviews and take a look at professional qualifications and achievements.

3. Online research

Searching online provides you with details of audiologists and audiology clinics in your local area, but the internet can also give you access to lots of other useful information. You can visit individual websites to find out more about services and read client testimonials, and you can also search websites for reviews left by patients. Look for audiologists who have high review scores and those with a reputation for being caring, friendly and compassionate, as well as being brilliant at their job. If you like the look of a clinic you’ve seen online or you’ve read positive reviews of an audiologist, ask about visiting the office and meeting the team. This can help you find out more about the services that are available and get a feel for the place. Meeting your audiologist can also help you to feel calm, relaxed and reassured.

Are you looking for an audiologist? If you perform a quick search online, you may find that there are hundreds of names that pop up on the results page. While it’s wonderful to have a choice as a patient, it can be difficult to narrow down the options and make sure you choose the right audiologist. If you’re trying to find the best practitioner in your neighborhood, ask for referrals and recommendations, do some research online and check your insurance before you create a shortlist.