Warehouse Stores
Sep 23, 2021

Who doesn’t love a warehouse store, right? These establishments are filled to overflowing with a host of useful products for the home—everything from paper towels and chicken fingers in bulk to a new set of tires and a comfy bed for your pooch.


But what about buying medical devices at your local big box store? Few of us would ever consider shopping around for a pacemaker or for the hardware for your knee replacement in the aisles of your neighborhood warehouse store. Yet some turn to these locations for hearing aids—also a medical device—to treat a health condition as important as hearing loss.


Here are some questions to ask when it comes to big box/warehouse stores and your hearing health care.


Are the staff you are working with university-trained audiologists?
The staff at the hearing aid counter at a big box store may have minimal training and expertise. A few stores may have audiologists, but many have hearing aid dispensers. Learn about the difference.


Is the hearing technology “locked’?
The hearing aid technology at warehouse stores may be “locked,” or proprietary, which means you can only take your hearing aids to that specific chain for service. No other private audiologist or provider can work on them. Many patients do not realize this and find out when they try to take their hearing aids to another practice for repairs or desire help from a more experienced professional.


What generation is the hearing aid technology?
Big box stores may offer technology one or two generations behind current technology available in the private market and sometimes their higher-level products are more comparable to mid-level technologies available privately.


Are repairs and other common services offered?
Most warehouse stores have limited repair options if the store labeled brands (e.g., Kirkland) ends the contracted relationship with the manufacturer for a lower cost vendor or contract. Most also do not provide loaner hearing aids.


Is your audiogram portable?
The store actually owns the results to your hearing test, not you. That means you may not be able to take your test results to another practice for a second opinion.


What if I have an insurance benefit?
Big box stores/warehouses DO NOT accept insurance benefits for hearing aids.


What if I need other audiologic services?
Big box stores do not do wax removal or provide other important full-service audiology care, such as tinnitus testing and treatment or assessment for dizziness and balance disorders.


What will my customer experience be like?
The experience and environment are very different from a professional audiologist’s clinic. They don’t typically pre-schedule routine follow-up appointments. and if you have issues with your hearing aids, it can be a challenge getting help in a busy store that is often on a first-come, first-serve.


By contrast, a private audiology clinic, like Johnson Audiology, offers you a caring, professional hearing health care experience with a goal toward being your partner on your lifelong hearing journey. It’s a relationship building process that goes far beyond just purchasing a hearing aid. Here’s what you can expect from us.


  • University-degreed audiologist care for every patient
  • A highly trained support staff made up of audiology assistants and patient care coordinators.
  • The widest selection of hearing aid technology and products from the world’s most respected hearing aid manufacturers. This means audiologists in other states (say you live in Florida or Arizona in the winter) can service your hearing aids. Some manufacturers and professional partners we work with regularly include: Oticon, Widex, ReSound, Phonak, Lyric, Siemens, Starkey, Westone and CochlearAmerica.
  • Hearing device options that take into account your personal circumstances—your hearing loss, your budget, your schedule, your lifestyle. Our audiologists discuss all these factors and goals with you up front so that you can make the most informed decision that is best for you.
  • At least a 45-day assessment period to determine your benefit and satisfaction with hearing aids.
  • Comprehensive care for hearing loss with diagnostic hearing evaluations and reports sent to your primary care physician. We also provide dizziness, balance, tinnitus and hyperacusis care all within the same full-service, independent and locally-owned professional audiology practice. Your hearing examination results belong to you as a part of your medical record.
  • Ear wax removal, a common need for patients.
  • A hearing aid loaner program, when appropriate, in the event your hearing aid needs to be sent to the manufacturer for repair. All-make repair options for most brands and older hearing models.
  • Monday through Thursday walk-in hours or for hearing aid clean and checks and same-day repairs, along with manufacturer repairs when necessary. Our clinic reaches out by mail when your hearing aids are reaching end of warranty and encouraging you to bring your aids to our office for us to send to the manufacturer for overhaul. The manufacturer will replace components, as necessary, and get your aids in top working order before warranty’s end.
  • Utilization of real-ear measurements technology to verify that your hearing aids are fit according to recommended prescriptions for proper hearing and safety. It is estimated only 20 to 30 percent of practices in the country use this advanced technology.
  • Recommend and provide regular and critical follow-up appointments for clean and checks, checkups, adjustments, and monitoring of hearing. 
  • Patients with health insurance may have hearing aid coverage that could help with the costs. We accept Medicare and most other types of health insurance, and we verify whether or not your particular plan has coverage for hearing aids.
  • Financing options are available for individuals who qualify.
  • An in-house Johnson Audiology Direct program that provides a host of supplies and services for the lifetime of your hearing aids and that is included with your hearing aids.


Based on industry data, only 20 to 25 percent of patients return to purchase a second set of hearing aids from a big box store/warehouse, which speaks volumes about overall customer satisfaction with this avenue for hearing aids. While it may feel like you are spending less at a big box store, the trade-offs may end up costing you more money in the long run. Good value is tied to many variables, and your best value and satisfaction is working with a university-trained audiologist in an independent audiology practice.

 

 

 

Move from the Gunbarrel Road office to a new and larger office will allow Johnson Audiology to help even more people in the Chattanooga region

By Jan Hollingsworth • 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

What is Tinnitus? Causes and Symptoms

15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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