Waiting

[Collateral Damage]

As for Doctor visits in general, I usually try for the very first appointment in the morning. If I can't get that, I go for very end of day. Not only to reduce interupting my day in general, but first and last the Doctor is usually on schedule. I think my worst wait time was around 20 minutes.

Not only do I have hearing loss, I have tinnitus on top of it. If my memory serves it was around 14 or 15, when someone fired a rifle right next to me, without warning and no protection.

Now that most hearing aids don't require a prescription, many places are getting deluged with people such as myself, who went for a consult with a specialist, to find out they wanted $2500 per ear. Those same hearing aids are about half that price without the prescription. I just could not justify the expense. I went to WalMart, bought a couple of those 'amplifiers' that look like basic hearing aids for $50. I wear when necessary. Maybe now I'll price out some good adjustable ones after my insurance rolls for the new year.

[RMNIXON]

I have also found that early appointments are the best.

Some doctors overbook and also get patients who come in for one thing and then bring up several other complaints.

[2cent]

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[2cent]

Very interesting. Makes sense about the brain overcompensating.

Yes, the new place has their own clinic, actually a chain of 3 or 4 in this area, and about a dozen Au.D., CCC-A.

I think my hearing is OK. During Covid talking through plastic panels and face masks I noticed I often could hear what was said but didn't much care, I mean a cashiers comments on the food I was purchasing, meh. But I do find myself turning the volume on the TV up so loud as to chadse the cat out of the room.

It was the FDA's recent ruling allowing OTC hearing aids that got me looking and thinking about it. And my insurance sent me an email about taking a test. Might as well.

My husband went to one of those chain hearing 'specialists'. Sound Advice, I believe. His ins. paid for it all, but the hearing aids were of no help, and yes, they were pricey.

Not long after, he had an appt. w/his surgeon, who has hearing aids, and asked where he went. To an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Bingo! Worked out great, so you might want to try that.
(Believe it not, his name is Dr. Bell. lol)

[Chris]

My husband went to one of those chain hearing 'specialists'. Sound Advice, I believe. His ins. paid for it all, but the hearing aids were of no help, and yes, they were pricey.

Not long after, he had an appt. w/his surgeon, who has hearing aids, and asked where he went. To an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Bingo! Worked out great, so you might want to try that.
(Believe it not, his name is Dr. Bell. lol)

This is not a national chain, just San Antonio area, maybe four of them.

[Collateral Damage]

I have also found that early appointments are the best.

Some doctors overbook and also get patients who come in for one thing and then bring up several other complaints.

My endo has a sign on the wall:

"Please only discuss your condition related to today's visit. Thank you."

[Chris]

Today, showed early to fill paperwork for 2:30 appointment and was seen by 2:33.