Audiology

Our audiologists have experience with almost every type of hearing disorder. Examples are tinnitus, noise exposure, hereditary hearing problems, hearing loss due to surgery or other medical conditions, and age-related hearing loss. When you have hearing loss and come to one of Mayo Clinic's hearing aid clinics, an audiologist listens to you, talks with you about your options and answers your questions. At Mayo Clinic, you work with a highly qualified audiologist who has earned a doctoral degree. Mayo Clinic has a hearing aid clinic at its locations in Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota.

All evaluation, consultation and hearing aid fitting is done by audiologists who have access to the most current technology. Mayo Clinic offers a wide selection of hearing aids, many of which are compatible with the latest Bluetooth devices, such as cellphones and other listening devices. Hearing aids from several manufacturers are available, and your audiologist will help you select one that meets your needs.

Hearing aid evaluation

Your hearing aid evaluation will likely begin with a complete examination of your ears and hearing by an audiologist. If this exam shows that you have a medical condition, you might be referred to your primary care doctor or an ear, nose and throat specialist. If the results of your audiology testing suggest that you are a candidate for hearing aids, an audiologist reviews the results of your hearing examination with you and discusses your communication needs and difficulties. You might then be referred to Mayo Clinic's hearing aid services to talk with an audiologist about hearing aids.

If you already have hearing aids but don't like how they're working, an audiologist can test them to see if they're working right and if they need to be adjusted.

Hearing aid fitting

The hearing aid services team is expert in fitting all types of hearing aids, including tiny ones that fit in the ear canal and the more traditional behind-the-ear style.

All hearing aids at Mayo Clinic are fit for an adjustment period. You are encouraged to return to your audiologist for follow-up visits during this period for consultation and adjustment as needed. If, after the 30- or 45-day adjustment period, you cannot adapt to hearing aid use, you may be able to return the hearing aids for partial credit, depending on state regulations. Testing and fitting fees for the adjustment period are nonrefundable.

The 'best' hearing aid

Our audiologists select hearing aids from several manufacturers. Because there is not one best hearing aid for everyone, your audiologist will work with you to find a hearing aid that best serves your needs. Mayo Clinic is involved in audiology research and makes sure the most recent technology in the industry is available.