PMP
Deflating
Dr. Cliff’s enthusiasm is great, as is much of his advice. However, not all of the recommended “Best Practice PRO Providers” are great. I should also identify my only “in personal” contact with Dr. Olson and Applied Hearing was through a paid one hour video chat. All other knowledge is through watching many hours of YouTube videos by Dr. Olson. After the virtual consult with Dr. Olson, he suggested that I might consider making an appointment with the Best Practice provider listed on AH website. I did and I purchased new hearing aids (which I did need) from this “recommended provider”, who was located more than a hour away from my home. During the 30 day trial, I was quickly disappointed. This audiologist may have used Dr. Olson’s best practice hearing measures but when I had trouble with the constant feedback and programming used for the hearing aids, it was evident that I was a nuisance and this audiologist did not want to deal with adjustments that required finesse or work. There is more to a decent audiologist than just best practice measurements. Perseverance is definitely needed, certainly compassion and maybe a bit of empathy. I did not get any of that with this recommendation through AH. Certainly Applied Hearing cannot monitor all of their suggested providers but I have lost some confidence and trust in their opinion. Applied Hearing is sadly responsible for implying a better experience with the audiology groups they list; unfortunately they really have no way of knowing how that works out for patients especially when it is negative.