Dr. Gretchen Magee, AuD, and Dr. Shawn Key, AuD, have transitioned to a new location within Bella Vista over the past month. In efforts to provide patients an expanded treatment environment, you can now find them at 5 Cunningham Corner in Bella Vista. The location change allows them to continue to provide quality audiology care in Northwest Arkansas including current diagnostic methods for yourself and your hearing instruments as well as provide options for the highest levels of technology with devices available and selection. Starting Oct. 1, we are also working toward this location transitioning hours to offer patient access from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Better Hearing and Balance continues to have another location at 906 N.W. Eighth St. in Bentonville. Our professionals realize the need to provide flexibility in treatment for our patients and want to give individuals options that fit their lifestyle balance. Each audiology location is enabled with the similar technologies to best meet your needs and even transition as needed between those facilities. Dr. Key will be the primary provider in Bentonville and will see patients on Monday through Wednesday with the office open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are also able to visit the office for supplies or repair services during these times.
In our audiology practice, dedicated professionals understand that purchasing hearing aids is more than 50% about things OTHER than the hearing aids themselves. Your expectations about hearing aids, the support you have from friends and family, your audiologist's skills (including their ability to explain things to you and understand your needs), and YOUR ear-brain system, all play major roles in your perceived success with hearing aids. Drs. Magee and Key hope you take this into consideration when choosing a practice.
Consider your expectations/goals:
• What do you expect hearing aids to do for you?
• Improve your ability to hear on your cellphone?
• Talk to your co-workers?
• Understand dialogue at the theater?
• Hear the passenger in the car while you drive?
Our goals are to talk to you about hearing goals and frequent lifestyle environments so we can select the right hearing aids for you and explain if your goals are reasonable for the environments you are in and the nature of your hearing loss.
Like any other doctor, you should trust the professional and personal skills of your audiologist and practice staff. Hearing aids are a process, not a one-stop shopping experience. At Better Hearing and Balance, we understand that hearing healthcare has changed with the world of insurance programs, online retailers and discount options. Our professionals can compare pricing options available, to not only look at your individual benefits but also connect to appropriate contracted options available as well to give you the best value for your investment.
Questions we think are important about hearing aids:
• Can the hearing aids I purchase be programmed by an audiologist in another state? For example, if you move, decide to change audiologists, or if they go out of business.
• How easy is it to make appointments for urgent problems? "My hearing aid just stopped working, I don't know why, and I am going on vacation in 2 days!"
• What is and is not included in the cost of hearing aids?
Values to consider:
• Term of service warranty through the manufacturer
• Term of the loss and damage policy
• Number of visits or length of term of covered services with the audiologist
• Cost of appointments with audiologist once service term has expired
• Cost of repair through manufacturer once service warranty is expired. For example, $200 to $350 depending on age of hearing aid and length of warranty applied post repair.
Chances are, at some point your hearing aid will get clogged with wax, have a short in the circuit, have moisture damage in the speaker, or something. The cost of services after your purchase is important. Tell your audiologist if you are rough with your things, sweat a lot, or have a lot of ear wax build-up, so they can choose the best device for you.
A good audiologist wants your investment to last you and serve your needs as best as possible. Drs. Magee and Key are both looking for a consistent hearing solution that will last you a number of years versus a right now solution. Our goal is to provide patients with powerful resources to not only start a hearing journey but maintain it over a period of time.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a hearing loss, consider a free consultation at Better Hearing and Balance Connection. Call us at 479-657-6464 with questions you may have or schedule an appointment at either of our locations. You may also visit us on the web at www.betterhearingandbalance.net.
General News on 09/13/2017