In a rapid state of change, the face of healthcare is on the move particularly with the emergence of big box stores tackling patient services. Because of this, anyone can step into just about any large box store such as Costco or Walmart and be treated to a spectrum of services such as eye care and ear care. In fact, the ear care departments of many of these stores will even fit you for a hearing aid. There are flaws deeply inherent in this fast-food approach, however, and they come at a price. You don’t experience the benefits you get by going to a trusted audiologist instead.

Professional Care

A significant reason people should seek a professional audiologist over a worker at a big box store is the simple fact that audiologists are more qualified to offer a variety of ear care services. An audiologist, who has gotten the schooling necessary to study the inner workings of the ear, can also troubleshoot the root cause of your hearing impairment rather than insist you just get a  hearing aid. This is because they’re not trained as sales people and aren’t paid to get you to buy more stuff, like the workers you may encounter in the big box stores. Audiologists, instead, are dedicated to making sure you get a true fix for your hearing problems.

One more benefit of seeing an audiologist is that you receive a proper diagnosis on hearing loss of all kinds and can receive a referral to other specialists if it turns out your hearing loss can be treated.

Quality Products

Another big reason to steer clear of the big box stores for hearing health is that these stores don’t have access to the best hearing products on the market like an audiologist does. There have been instances where people have sought hearing aids at these stores thinking they’re getting a good deal yet come away with a poor product that has interference or low-quality sound. While you won’t find low-quality hearing aids at every store you visit, there is a high prevalence of this happening in many of them. A trained audiologist has the ability to make the necessary adjustments in an effort to optimize your hearing abilities. Plus, the products recommended by an audiologist are far superior to those you typically find in a big box store.

Cost Effectiveness

Lastly, big box stores simply charge more for their hearing aid products – not because the device itself is too expensive but because they try to make you buy different package deals under the impression they’re saving you trouble and money. On the other hand, a hearing aid obtained from a qualified audiologist may seem more expensive upfront but it can be covered under your health insurance to make it actually more inexpensive in the end. The goal of an audiologist is not to sell you unnecessary products, but to optimize your living and health potential through the best products for you.