I posted this same question back in March 2023 and I have not been successful in locating a good audi. Most want to sell you the HAs and do, well, not much. I contacted a really great audi who is on the forum who personally knew a ‘dynamite’ audi in my area but I cannot seem to get her name from him. After two years, I’ve given up. But I saw him on the east coast two years ago and he was apoplectic that my PHX audi had used absolutely no filters in my Oticons! They were like buying over the counter HAs. That is the caliber of audis I have been running into. He did an adjustment and it’s been super since, but you know how hearing goes…down, down, down. I need a ‘dynamite’ audi’ as this will be most likely be my last set of HAs before a CI. Please do not recommend Dr Cliff as I took a good look at him and I’m not interested. I am amazed that here in the SW hearing companies/clinics want between $300 and $500 just to make an appointment, and most say you if you don’t cancel two weeks out (unless it’s a dire emergency like hospitalization) you lose that money. I just want someone honest and totally capable. Someone who cares about helping me hear. So…anyone have any recommendations for me please?? I would even drive a few hours.
I think the reason we all are hesitant to recommend an audiologist is that people’s experiences vary. It depends on what you look for in an audiologist, your/their personalities, communication, etc.
I live in Mesa AZ and I got my current (and only hearing aid I kept) from Dr Fucci’s (ENT, Neurologis ) office just off 101 and just north of the south 202. He has a staff of only doctorate level Audiologists working for him and has a high level of care. This office is very well known Valleywide and I constantly encounter his patients and all but one have been very happy. He and his Audiologists saved my hearing after a sudden hearing loss. I’m happy with my hearing aid and the service I’ve received. I have seen multiple Audiologists prior to this office and never been happy, returning my aid(s) during the trial period.
My only caveat is that this office is very busy at times and I sometimes get a long phone wait. It’s usually not a long wait to see an Audiologist but it is to see him. If you are scheduling to for hearing care, schedule directly with an Audiologist. If you need wax removal, schedule with Dr Fucci and Audiologist on the same day but you will have a longer wait (I schedule months in advance). Also you can get wax removed by another ENT, then see audiologist (which I have occasionally done when needed quickly).
Address is 225 S Dobson Rd Phone 480-558-5306
I appreciate your responding. However, unfortunately, it is Dr Fucci’s office who I have been seeing for several years. Six years ago, the audi I had been seeing there told me I needed a CI. That was quite the shock. In checking with other doctors, it turns out I did not. I would have had to trust that Dr Fucci would have caught that. I still had nearly 30% hearing. It was an audi there who gave me a vanilla hearing aid with no filters. I was encouraged by all the other docs I saw to verify my need for a CI at 30% to report them but I did not. She is still working there.
While I am glad you are finding them competent, I cannot recommend them or return to them in any way. And I agree. We all have different needs. I don’t need much but I do need someone who can actually make adjustments and stay on top of my hearing needs.
Sorry that Audiologist didn’t work out for you. And sorry to hear that she is still working there. You were wise to get a second opinion for such a big decision.
Also interesting because I have on ear where my word recognition score is so low that no audiologist I’ve seen will fit but no one has told me I need a CI. I’m so used to getting along with one hear (despite I can’t tell direction) that I’ve learned to get along with one hearing aid. Now, since a sudden hearing loss, I’ve lost even more hearing but I still get along although I know I miss out on better hearing. But, at my age, I wonder if adjusting to a CI would be worth taking the chance.
Now I’m curious who that Audi is so I can avoid her. I’ve seen multiple Audis at that office due to the SHL.
I am amazed! What is your word rec? That too makes me wonder. I’ve been told it’s about a year to get used to a CI and I would rather keep the hearing I have for that year than struggle.
24% at 95 dB (which is very loud. It’s like a motorcycle 20 ft away or loud power tools)
Normal speech is 60 dB.
So this means someone would have to yell very loud for me to hear 1 word in 4.
One ENT told me that this is why I’m not a candidate for a hearing aid in my unaided ear.
Check your word recognition score on your hearing test and note what dB level that score is based on.
I found this site that lists Cochlear Implant qualification. I would need to ask at my next appointment at what dB is considered with being aided. How dB can hearing aids add and still be tolerable? Copy this link:
The link didn’t post so go to Cochlear site and search for Cochlear Implant candidacy
If you have a 30% word recognition score in quiet, it is definitely recommended to pursue CI evaluation. I think it was mandatory for the audiologist to mention the CI option, so I do not see any malpractice on her part. This would be malpractice if she did not even mention CI, which is not the case.
If someone has a very low WRS score, even the best hearing aid will not improve it; only a CI will.
So, if I were an Audi, I would surely show you CI option, providing you with the necessary knowledge about pros and cons and time to make a decision.
Excuse me, that’s a typo. It was 80% and that was several years ago. Yes at 30%, no at 80%. And be aware there’s more to getting a CI than numbers.
But it was on each ear? What is your WRS in your poorer ear? It would indeed be strange to propose a CI if each ear had WRS 80% separately.
Yes, I do know. Personally, I have CI in one ear, but I would never agree to implant my better ear unless it deteriorates. Numbers are a good starting point.
It was 82% in the other ear. That was back in 2018 when she recommended a CI for me. Of course, they are not there now. 
Are you glad you got your CI?
Just sounds like you’ve been given the run around, don’t know why you have a CI, your loss could be fitted with most SP or UP hearing aids? Your WRS is on the low side, but don’t be surprised if you were to try BTE SP or UP that you could improve your quality of hearing without the hassle os CI, you don’t mention the exact Oticon models your using now?
II think there was an unfortunate misunderstanding. What about going back to Dr. Fucci and getting a new test and appointment? If you see your previous audiologist, you can calmly ask about her reasoning for proposing a CI. I see that you become suspicious of people quite quickly, but maybe it was only miscommunication, nothing personal.
What is the cause of your suspicion about Dr. Cliff? Is he too extroverted, or do you think he has something hidden?
Regarding my CI - quite good, have 80% WRS (tested 1 year ago) in CI side only (1-syllable). I should still rehabilitate, especially in hearing bimodally, but it’s on good way.
It was not an unfortunate misunderstanding. I have it in writing. Mayo Clinic was appalled when they called her to inquire about it. Without knowing me, you cannot say I become suspicious quickly. Like I said, she put it in a letter which I took to Mayo and yet another audi. No miscommunication when it is in black and white…
I don’t feel it should be necessary to require a two-week notice for cancellation or reschedule. Also I know three people who saw him and felt they were they were told they needed new HAs. Are they right? I don’t know, but they all saw different audis who didn’t try to sell them new HAs. I don’t think he has anything hidden, but if you read the info on this forum about him, you will have a better idea of what his practice is like.
I am glad you are having great success with your CI!
Yes, you and I are feeling the same. Two audis said I was not ready, based on things other than numbers. I am currently in the Oticon More. I saw an audi two years ago who said the Real could help me - same WR then as now. The Intent wasn’t out yet. So I’m wanting to try the Intent. It would be great if it could work for a while, at least. Thanks for replying and and for seeing I am not being unreasonable.
It’s pretty much common knowledge that the good Dr is a YouTube influencer, who gets paid for his reviews, and charges perspective AuD’s a hefty fee to join his "Best Practices"referral network.
When patients refer to AuD’s as Üsed Car Salesmen"Cliff fits the bill 
Yes, it’s obvious, especially with his participation in marketing programs. I’ve yet to hear much positive chatter about him. Thanks for your thoughts, and I fully agree with them.
Ok, I’m sorry. A really incomprehensible situation. I simply wondered what makes her think that way.
That’s long. I though his practice wouldn’t has problem with filling the gaps from cancellation even in days.
To my knowledge, this has been discussed recently—whether people with mild or no hearing loss need a hearing aid. The numbers are a good starting point, but other considerations exist, such as hearing in noise. Additional tests, like QuickSIN, may be necessary, as some people with theoretically mild loss have difficulty understanding speech in noise. Hearing aid relieve much effort from hearing, which may be useful even with mild losses and improve quality of life if someone can pay for it.
Thank you. It was a long way, putting the sound processor in the drawer for over six years, but it was worth the inconvenience.
Yes, I know; however, I see that he is paid by different companies competing with each other. I didn’t see any stronger affiliation with a particular one. But okay, these days I am also a bit skeptical about influencers it’s understandable.