Being connected to the ENT office is probably not a really good thing. It means they are doing a lot of diagnostics in addition to hearing aids. If they don’t have time to get back to you, how are they going to find the time to work with you and get you hearing the best possible? Charging $6000 is a lot different than earning $6000. I would return the instruments and go somewhere they have the time to work with you.
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Thanks. Yes I understand what you are saying. The audiologists are separate from the MDs and PAs. Indeed the AuDs do the audiograms but the ENTs do the bulk of the diagnostics. I have been able to finally contact my AuD today to square away a few things. There is also an ENT urgent care attached which is really excellent. Again, the professionals are quite good but I really do live in an underserved urban area. Hence offices are full! Thanks again.
Are you saying that you are within the trial period, but even so, would lose $600 if returning them?
Could someone clarify to me, if the ‘return period’ is a MFG offer or a dealer offer. I would think that the minimum return window would be supported by the MFG and I wonder if you could contact the Manufacturer… directly ?
No. It is a loss before trial period. There are some places that do 100 percent risk free. But the 600 is basically for chair time which I understand. I suppose there are real exceptions as in an item proven damaged while manufacturing. The latter being just an example.
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Loss before trial period?!?
No clue to that meaning.
But I would not have agreed to that.
Don’t get me wrong, I can understand one having a hearing loss prior to trail period, but not a financial loss if within the trial period you return it because you still felt at a loss with your hearing - with it!**
Yes, I will have a financial loss of 10 percent cost of the hearing aids before the trial period if I return them. This was not a surprise. It was in the contract that I signed before purchase and actual order. There was no deception whatsoever. My audiologist is trying! Again, she works with a huge urban ENT office which really is quite good. It has surgical suites and subspecialtues. I chose specifically to order at a place where the Au.D.can readily converse with the ENTs . But yes-in some ways I had thought this through a bit. I personally believe it’s wise to have a site with Ent and AuD together. The dx is not totally firmed up yet- probably intermittent eustacian tube dysfunction that seems to have occurred suddenly after my last bout of Covid. But in short, there was no deception whatsoever. I just didn’t think the fitting and programming woujd be so hard. Once we got the communication snafu( a phone issue) rectified , I’ve found the office responsive. indeed this stuff is costly.
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Not all clinicians work for free.
It may also be the case that in some places where things are really busy, top level clinicians are less likely to work for free. Free is all well and good, but sometimes when your wait list is 12 weeks long and you need to close the tap a bit, charging for your services helps to do that. It is going to depend on the area/local market too.
Neville-If I recall in a prior exchange , I indicated to you that I too am doctorally trained, having seen patients for 51 years. And surely I did not work for free! Sure I did some pro bono particularly if courts were involved with abuse cases and the like. But certainly I expect the audiologist to be adequately compensated. I hope you did not think I was suggesting this. On the other hand, in an ideal world I believe that hearing and vision are not luxuries for the aging population. But that’s a different topic for a different day. -and a different forum for that matter. I know that a lot of R and D goes into the tech and investors need to be “ “compensated”. But not for one minute did I want to suggest that the AuD ought to work for free.
I want to weigh in on the kazoo issue because i just fought that for 6 weeks until a different tech (costco) changed the domes and the problem was solved. Hope yours is solved so easily.
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Oh no, I appreciate that. I was directing at igzo. I’m lucky to be in a position to do a fair bit of pro bono work, but I don’t begrudge other clinicians managing things how they like. It’s not a profession where people are making money hand over fist. And realistically the lights need to stay on–clinics providing free trials are essentially offloading those costs onto hearing aid pricing.
But absolutely, I’m Canadian. I’d prefer hearing aids were provided by universal healthcare.
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I have been seen by AuDs as part of ENT facilities. The ENT’s input, was of very minimal value. Recently, I went to one of the best ENTs in this major metro area. He insisted, that I had no situation for him to address. In the past, the ENT recommended his associate - an AuD, who then did her job. Possibly one or two sentences might have been exchanged between the two docs over my situation.
If you prefer the ENT AUD association - great. But the question of service expectation by the fitting practitioner is a very valid one, and something that strikes a nerve now, as I just last night had interaction with an AuD over this very issue!
Years ago, my client was an incredible cardiac surgeon. He loved to refer to himself as a plumber, but others spoke about him with utmost respect. He had an awful bedside manner and was impossible to get on the phone, but if you had a heart valve issue, his skills would save your life! Skills count sometimes over niceties.
But with hearing, do most AuD’s get the instruments perfect - or ideal the first session? Here, the one judging the results, lacks technical skill to evaluate it, and the one with the skills, needs the amateur opinion of the wearer - and that opinion takes time. Thus even with the very “best” hearing aid programmers, multiple fitting tweaks based on feedback would be needed. I say this because having myself gone to several pros, over multiple decades, multiple visits always were needed! Both parties should recognize the symbiotic relationship between patient and professional - and a willingness to spend time communicating should be part of the whole experience. When communication leads to frustration, that emotional pain can take it’s own toll.
It is good that OP is OK with the situation.
But the ENT and the AuD are two discreet entities.
Because the ENT gets a referral fee from the AuD some portion of the investment will not be refundable even in cases where a return is made during the trial period. The ENT just wants his commission without the onerous effort of tracking back and checking on the final status of the deal, nor does he want to wait for the trial period to end to get his rewards.
I hate to feel that my objectivity might in some small way be influenced by a non refundable 10%. But I know that human nature suggests in some cases it might. Which for me, is a valid reason to avoid situations, where less than a full refund is possible. There is one exception:
The AuD should (if this is clear up front) get paid for testing for custom molds. But they have a value, even if I return the aids, I can use the molds on other same brand models, and I can use the impressions, often stored for a year by the company, and of course I have learned about my hearing. All valuable investments, regardless of keeping, or returning the trial units.
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Although I probably would not pay a 10% return fee, I understand it. What I don’t understand is over-scheduling a service provider, If you’re not getting calls back and/or you’re not getting time to adjust the fitting of your aids, the practice is almost definitely over-scheduling themselves.
ZipHearing uses local Audis, who probably have their non-discounted practice. You may find it difficult to get time from them, too.
I use Costco. They call me back and get me time with the audi (not every Costco has audis, but the one I use has had an audi on staff for years) within a couple of days of the call, and the people I see are fast and accurate in fitting my aids, so I’ve been lucky so far.
Since you’re far from a Costco, you need an audi in private practice. My reco is to return your HAs and keep looking. I expect it will be worth the $600 to find someone who really helps you with follow-up.
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Thanks! It was totally a phone snafu at the place! She gets back to me really quickly now.
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Oh the power of HearingTracker.Com !
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