Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and non-medical treatment of hearing and balance disorders for patients of all ages. The current educational requirement for an audiologist is a doctorate degree in Audiology which includes a 4-year bachelor degree and 4 years in a doctoral program for audiology.
Best practices are standards that have been established to ensure quality of care for our patients. These best practices include a series of tests and procedures that yield evidence-based results that provide measurable outcomes for our patients. The results obtained through these procedures allow your audiologist to identify your degree and type of hearing loss and how it impacts you in terms of daily living, cognitive functioning as well as proper course of treatment. It also allows us to verify that your hearing aids are programmed properly to meet your current prescription, that your hearing aids are performing optimally year after year and provides verification of your satisfaction with your hearing devices.
Best practices follow “Standards of Care” Guidelines that have been set forth through the Audiology licensing and accreditation groups which include The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Best Practices have been established for consultation and testing; Hearing Aid Evaluations; Hearing Aid Fittings and Hearing Aid Follow up appointments.
Unfortunately, not all professionals follow all best practices. Some of the most important practices include Speech in noise testing, Real Ear Measurements to verify proper prescriptive hearing aid fittings, Hearing Instrument Test Box Measures to verify proper functioning of your hearing devices, Completion of Self-assessment measures of Hearing loss Needs and Goals and routine follow-ups. At Lemme Audiology Associates we have been following best practices; however Dr. Lemme has recently joined Dr. Cliff’s Provider Network, which is a private credentialing group for members who follow best practices to ensure patients are getting the best care possible. To learn more about Best Practices, or to obtain a Best Practices check list visit Dr. Cliff’s site at https://HearingUp.com
