Choosing a Hearing Aid Practice
A Patient Checklist
This checklist is designed to help you ask the right questions and evaluate any audiology or hearing aid practice you visit in the Rochester, NY area.
Use it to ensure you get the best long-term support for your hearing health.
Are the audiologists fully licensed or board-certified (AuD, ABA, ASHA, FAAA)?
This is important if you have multiple health issues, a history of hearing difficulties or a previous poor fit.
Which insurance plans do you accept, and what costs are out-of-pocket?
Every practice is different, so inquire up front. These may change from year-to-year.
Do you provide a written estimate with details (device, fitting, follow-ups, repairs)?
You will recieve an estimate, as well as a packet of information at your fitting appointment.
What is the length and scope of the hearing aid warranty (loss, damage, repairs)?
Each manufacturer’s warranty is different. We will cover this with you during your visit.
How quickly are repairs done, and do you provide loaner devices during service?
Some repairs can be done while you wait in both of our locations. If something cannot be fixed with us, we will mail this to the manufacturer and talk to you about a loaner HA.
Do you use real-ear measurements (REM) to verify the device’s performance in my ear?
Yes, and we take it one step further by doing the REM in the sound booth for the most accurate reading possible.
Does every Audiology Clinic have a VAE System?
Only MacDonald Audiology offers this unique service to fully customize your hearing needs and preferences in real-world situations where it can be difficult to hear others. The VAE is designed to increase satisfaction with any hearing aid wearer fit by our team.
How long is the trial period, and what are the return/exchange conditions?
Your trial is typically a week or so for new hearing aids, designed to give your brain the opportunity to adjust to wearing them. Your follow-up appointment with us will make any final changes to the programming and settings so that you can wear your new instruments with confidence!
All return conditions are shared with you at the time of your fitting appointment.
Which hearing aid brands and models do you carry? Do you recommend more than one option?
We fit Phonak and Oticon hearing aids. Both brands are highly regarded in the industry. When your hearing test results are compatible with multiple options, those will be presented to you by your Audiologist.
What follow-up care is included after purchase (adjustments, checkups, cleanings)?
Do you provide support for tinnitus, balance, or other related conditions if I need them?
How do you handle emergency appointments or urgent hearing aid issues?
Typically, we see walk-ins with urgent issues as our daily case load allows. We highly recommend calling ahead to either Rochester location to let them know you are experiencing a problem, as sometimes it can be resolved over the phone, or by watching one of our many online videos for common issues.
Can I speak with or read reviews from long-term patients of your practice?
Many of our patients have shared feedback with us. You may read some of the comments here
Can hearing aid repairs be made in-office?
We make every effort to fix your hearing instruments before they need to be sent to the manufacturer.
If my hearing changes, can my hearing aids be reprogrammed?
Unless something significant has shifted or a major health occurrence has happened, we can often re-fit your hearing instruments to function well with your new hearing thresholds. Hearing does change over time as aging happens.
MacDonald Audiology has rolled out a program that allows you to bank up to 5% off your next HA purchase. You do need to be an active patient wearing hearing aids from our practice in order to take advantage of this program.
Introducing – Our Refer-a-Friend Program
When you become one of our hearing aid purchasing patients, you can refer a friend with a dated referral card, which will be added to your patient file when the referred person comes in to see one of our audiology team members.
This card entitles you to bank 5% off one purchase of new hearing aids – up to 5 years from the date written! Request one of the referral cards at your next appointment to give away to an important person in your life today.
Talk to us at your next appointment!
Non-transferable.
Gold-Standard Hearing Care from MacDonald Audiology
Located in Rochester, NY, our highly-accredited doctors of audiology offer gold-standard options for your customized hearing plan using today’s advanced technology. Contact us today for the next available appointment.