Why Best Practices Matter When Choosing Your Audiologist

When you're ready to address hearing loss, the audiologist you choose matters just as much as the hearing aids themselves. Best practices in audiology—evidence-based protocols that ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment—can mean the difference between transformative hearing care and disappointing results. At Port Jefferson Hearing, we've built our approach around these proven standards because we've seen firsthand how they change outcomes for our patients.

Understanding Best Practices in Audiology

Best practices represent the gold standard in hearing healthcare. These are clinical protocols backed by research and recommended by leading audiology organizations. They encompass everything from how comprehensive your initial evaluation should be to how your hearing aids are programmed and verified.

Many patients don't realize that audiology practices can vary significantly in their approach. Some take shortcuts, relying on quick assessments and generic hearing aid settings. Others, like our practice, follow comprehensive protocols that take more time but deliver measurably better results. The approach your audiologist takes directly impacts how well you'll hear with your hearing aids.

The Foundation: Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing

A thorough hearing evaluation forms the basis of effective treatment. At Port Jefferson Hearing, Dr. Martinetti conducts step-by-step diagnostic testing that goes far beyond basic beep tests. This comprehensive approach addresses the most common frustration we hear: "I can hear, but I can't understand what people are saying."

Basic threshold testing—identifying the softest sounds you can hear—represents only a small piece of your hearing ability. While this information shows whether you have mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss, it doesn't reveal how your brain processes speech or handles background noise. That's why best practices require additional testing.

Speech understanding testing uses recorded, standardized words presented at your most comfortable listening level. This measurement shows how clearly you can comprehend speech when it's properly amplified. We use verified research levels combined with your individual comfort preferences to determine optimal amplification settings.

The most revealing test addresses the number one complaint among people with hearing loss: difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. Speech-in-noise testing, particularly the QuickSIN assessment, provides critical information that basic hearing tests simply cannot capture. This testing reveals how well your auditory system processes speech when competing sounds are present—the exact situation you'll face in restaurants, family gatherings, and other real-world settings.

Dr. Martinetti may employ multiple speech-in-noise assessments to fully understand your unique processing abilities. This comprehensive data allows him to set realistic expectations and recommend appropriate hearing aid technology for your specific needs.

The Case History: Understanding Your Whole Health Picture

Your hearing doesn't exist in isolation from the rest of your health. Dr. Martinetti conducts a thorough medical history review, examining factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, noise exposure, and family history that can contribute to hearing loss.

A standardized hearing survey addresses your individual treatment goals. What situations cause you the most frustration? Do you struggle with television? Phone conversations? Social gatherings? Your lifestyle needs and communication goals guide treatment recommendations, ensuring the solution fits your life rather than forcing your life to fit the solution.

We encourage adult patients to bring a friend or significant other to their first visit. This companion can provide valuable perspective on your hearing challenges and help you remember the information discussed during your appointment. For pediatric patients, we ask that parents bring only the child being evaluated so we can focus completely on that individual.

Real Ear Measurement: The Verification Standard

Once hearing aids are selected, proper programming separates adequate hearing care from excellent hearing care. At Port Jefferson Hearing, Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a foundational component of every hearing aid fitting—yet studies show only 25% to 40% of audiologists perform this critical verification.

REM involves placing a tiny probe microphone in your ear canal to measure exactly how much sound reaches your eardrum. Your ear canal's unique shape and size affect how sound travels, meaning manufacturer "first fit" formulas cannot account for your individual anatomy. Without REM, your hearing aids are programmed based on population averages rather than your specific needs.

The process ensures your hearing aids provide appropriate amplification across all frequencies. Too little amplification leaves you struggling to hear, while too much can damage residual hearing or create discomfort. REM protects your hearing while maximizing speech clarity and comfort.

We use real-world sound stimuli, including speech signals, to verify performance in situations you'll actually encounter. This testing takes additional time during your fitting appointment, but research consistently demonstrates that REM leads to higher patient satisfaction and better outcomes. The efficiency gained through accurate initial programming often reduces the need for multiple follow-up adjustments.

The Test Drive Approach: Try Before You Buy

Best practices recognize that hearing aids must work in your daily life, not just in a quiet office. We believe the only way to determine which hearing aid is right for you is to experience the benefits during your actual activities—at home, at work, and during leisure pursuits.

Our test drive program carries absolutely no financial obligation. You can try different technology levels from Oticon, Signia and ReSound to discover which features matter most to you. Some patients benefit from premium noise reduction algorithms for challenging listening environments. Others find mid-level technology perfectly suits their lifestyle needs. This hands-on experience eliminates guesswork and ensures you invest in hearing aids that truly improve your daily communication.

The test drive period also allows Dr. Martinetti to fine-tune your devices based on real-world feedback. You'll learn which situations work well and which need adjustment, information that's impossible to gather during a single office visit.

Experience and Credentials Matter

Best practices aren't just protocols—they require knowledge, skill, and clinical judgment to execute effectively. Dr. John Martinetti earned his doctoral degree in Audiology from Salus University and holds board certification in audiology, requiring a minimum of 65 continuing education credits every three years.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and maintains dual certifications—Certificate of Clinical Competence in both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This combination of credentials and over 40 years of experience since establishing our practice in 1984 ensures you receive care grounded in current research and proven clinical expertise.

Board certification and continuing education requirements ensure your audiologist stays current with evolving technology and research. The field of audiology advances continuously, and these professional commitments guarantee your provider maintains knowledge of the latest evidence-based practices.

The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners

When practices skip best practice protocols, patients pay the price. Incomplete diagnostic testing leads to inappropriate hearing aid recommendations. Lack of REM results in poorly programmed devices that may be too loud, too soft, or improperly balanced across frequencies. Rushing through fittings without adequate counseling leaves patients unprepared for the adjustment process.

These shortcuts often result in drawer-bound hearing aids—devices purchased but rarely worn because they don't provide the expected benefit. With a 5.0 Google rating from over 90 reviews, our commitment to best practices translates to satisfied patients who experience genuine improvement in their hearing and quality of life.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation

Choosing an audiologist who adheres to best practices gives you the best chance of successful hearing treatment. At Port Jefferson Hearing, science guides our approach, not guesswork. From comprehensive diagnostic testing through Real Ear Measurement and ongoing support, every step of your hearing journey reflects our commitment to evidence-based care.

If you're ready to experience the difference that best practices make, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Martinetti. Located in Davis Professional Park at 5225 Nesconset Highway, Building #3, Suite #10 in Port Jefferson Station, we've served the community since 1984. Call us at 631-331-1888 to begin your journey toward simply better hearing.