Say, WHAT?

Do you or someone you love struggle with hearing loss and have been exploring hearing aids? If so, you might have considered Costco’s hearing aid center—many people do! My husband, Stephane, and several of our friends started there as well. While Costco offers convenience and affordability, I want to share an incredible local alternative that might just change your life: the Audiology Clinic at San Diego State University, which has been in existence since at least the 1960’s.

Stephane’s journey with hearing aids began at Costco. He was thrilled at the idea of finally hearing clearly again, but that excitement quickly faded. He dealt with constant “feedback” in his ears, overwhelming background noise drowning out nearby conversations, and an app that didn’t seem to help no matter how he adjusted the settings. Trips for adjustments left him just as frustrated, and before long, he resigned himself to settling for minimal improvement—or simply taking the aids out and enduring the silence.

Then, something serendipitous happened. I met some wonderful Talmadge neighbors, Christy and Mike. I learned that Christy was the Director of Clinical Education for the Au.D. program.  Wait—SDSU has an Audiology Clinic?! That was news to me, and I wasted no time telling Christy about Stephane’s struggles.  She went on to explain that while Costco can be a good option at a good price point for many people, they offer somewhat of a different range of hearing aids and products.  The audiologists at SDSU all have advanced degrees in hearing sciences and are in a good position to evaluate difficult cases.” She encouraged Stephane to schedule a consultation at SDSU to see if he’d be a good candidate for their services.

When asked about the fee schedule, Christy explained, “We don't charge for diagnostic services (hearing tests and/or vestibular/balance evaluations) in the clinic because we're a training facility. Donations are gladly accepted - they go toward supporting our clinical program - but not required.  We do charge for products - hearing aids and accessories. Our prices are on par for our area if you don't compare us to big box stores. We operate as a non-profit under the SDSU Research Foundation, so any profits from hearing aids are put back into our training program.” That seemed like a win-win to me.

Stephane booked an appointment, and after a thorough evaluation, the clinic put together a customized proposal.  He ordered his new hearing aids through them and was anxious to experience the newly anticipated results.  Yes, the cost was higher than what we paid at Costco, but much of his costs were tax deductible (please consult with your own tax advisor regarding these potential benefits and if they would apply to you). More importantly, the results have been nothing short of transformative.

The difference in Stephane’s hearing is like night and day. He can hear everything clearly—just as he did before his hearing started to decline. Adjusting the aids is effortless, and the clinic has been there for follow-ups to ensure everything continues to work perfectly. Christy adds, “Our patients are encouraged to come back as often as needed.  I frequently tell them that no problem is too small or unimportant because "every time someone walks through the door, our students learn."

Christy further explains that part of their mission is to serve the community and they welcome anyone who is interested in their services.  “Patients do not need a referral to come here.  We are a training facility for graduate students studying for their doctorate in audiology (Au.D.).  All students are directly supervised by a licensed audiologist for the entirety of the appointment.”

This experience has been life-changing for our family, not only for Stephane but for everyone around him (myself included!). I can’t recommend the SDSU Audiology Clinic enough. It’s a hidden gem right here in our community, and their expertise, care, and personalized solutions are truly unmatched. If you or someone you know is struggling with hearing loss, do yourself a favor and check them out. You won’t regret it! 

SDSU Audiology Clinic, 619-594-7747, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego CA 92182