The Better Hearing Institute has just published consumer guidelines for purchasing hearing aids in an eGuide titled Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids. The Guide represents the most current thinking in the hearing health industry concerning how you should be treated by hearing care professionals and their staff as well as an explanation of five distinct phases of the customer experience as it relates to acquiring hearing aids. For each of the five phases, there is a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of what every customer should expect when they visit a hearing care professional.

The entire 12 page is also downloadable as an eGuide so that it can be shared with friends and associates.

Many hearing health professionals have difficulty fitting hearing aids to musicians. One audiologist recently asked the BHI "I am just trying to find the best hearing aid or the best way to fit musicians. When I program an aid using WDRC the aid(s) make funny noises when they are playing loud instruments or singing loud. Linear works better with lots of range and a high MPO helps this issue but it isn't perfect. Just seeing if anyone else has any idea's?"

 We invited Dr. Marshall Chasin, Doctor of Audiology at the Musicians Clinics of Canada to give some guidance on this issue.

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A recent headline from Florida reminds us of the legalities involving the fitting or dispensing of hearing aids. It read,"Venice Hearing Aid Salesman Charged with Two Felonies". The story is that of a man who has been illegally dispensing hearing aids since 2003, without a license. This man twice was unable to pass his state's certification exams was barred from retaking the tests. This story made me want to mention that the dispensing or fitting of hearing aids is a state regulated process. Those who wish to fit hearing aids must pass exams and hold a license to do so. This is to protect the consumer or patient from possible harm and from being taken advantage of. By far, most people involved in dispensing hearing aids do it for the right reason; to help those who suffer from hearing loss. But if you ever have a question about the individual you are seeing for help, check them out. Most states keep a search-able online database of license holders. Check with your states Division of Professional Registration or similarly named branch of licensed professions. They will have information available about who to contact if you have problems or questions.

You can read the story from the Hearald Tribune here.