The Hearing Aid Expert

Audiologist, Dealer, or Otolaryngologist?

¹ Louisiana State University Medical Center New Orleans, LA

rturne{at}lsumc.edu

Based on available data, audiologists have, by far, the best overall dispensing credentials and, in fact, the best credentials in each area evaluated. Unfortunately, the available data are somewhat limited. Although the data indicate that audiologists are the superior dispenser, that is, the hearing aid expert, the data are not sufficient to conclusively prove that point. What we can state with confidence is that there is no basis in the data to recommend the dealer or the otolaryngologist over the audiologist. If a governmental agency or an insurer is going to restrict dispensing, then, based on current credentials, audiologists should always be one of the groups permitted to dispense.

Key Words: hearing aids, audiologist, hearing aid dealer, otolaryngologist, dispensing

Submitted on March 20, 1997
Accepted on February 23, 1998

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