Miracle Ear vs. Acadian Hearing Services – What’s the Difference?

by | May 13, 2022 | Hearing aids, Industry News, Patient Resources

When it comes to addressing a hearing challenge, there are several options available in the Lake Charles area.

One of the most well-known options, due to their large amount of advertising and heavy use of direct mail, is Miracle Ear.

As part of a group that spans the US, Miracle Ear is a juggernaut in the hearing care industry with more than 1,500 stores.

The question is, what is the difference between investing in better hearing with Miracle Ear versus visiting a local independent hearing care clinic like Acadian Hearing Services?

Well, in this article, I’m going to share some of the benefits and disadvantages of both options to allow you to understand the differences and make the best decision for your circumstances and needs.

But first, an important distinction.

What makes this comparison difficult is that fundamentally, Acadian Hearing Services does not “sell” hearing devices and would not consider ourselves to be a “store” – instead, we are hearing healthcare providers.

This means that there are some big differences.

These include:

1 – Our hearing evaluations are not solely looking for whether or not you have a hearing loss and if you’re a candidate for hearing aids. 

Instead, we evaluate all aspects of your hearing health through advanced testing to ensure that all preventative steps can be taken to protect your long-term hearing. This includes ruling out medical issues that could be impacting your hearing as well as monitoring current health issues that may cause hearing loss in the future.

2 – We’re relationship focused, not transactional.

From helping thousands of people to achieve better hearing, we know that it’s not as simple as buying some hearing aids. It requires a long-term partnership and all of our relationships with patients are for life, not just the sale.

3 – Independent versus national brand

Although this may not be the most important aspect, it’s definitely worth noting. We’re a small independent clinic dedicated to the people of Lake Charles; we’re not a large national group.

To help you to understand the key differences, we have developed a comparison chart to share the benefits of choosing both Miracle Ear and Acadian Hearing Services.

Miracle ear vs Acadian

Comprehensive Hearing Assessments

To start at the top of the list, Acadian Hearing Services offers comprehensive hearing assessments whereas Miracle Ear offers the common form of hearing tests that determine if you could be helped by a hearing aid.

comprehensive hearing assessment and communication need analysis go through multiple steps to check all areas of your hearing health, ensuring that a hearing challenge isn’t a result of a more serious medical condition.  Exact hearing thresholds and word understanding are obtained, ruling out cerumen impaction and middle ear fluid as temporary causes for hearing loss.

The First Step in Addressing a Hearing Challenge Is Through a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment with a Professional

Doctors of audiology are trained to understand when a medical referral is necessary, and our network of colleagues in the Lake Charles communities is vast, ensuring that the patient is in the best care and their overall health is our priority.

Repair, Loss & Damage Warranty

There are similarities in Repair Warranty and Loss & Damage Warranty, giving you the peace of mind in knowing how long you are covered for if your hearing devices stop working, need replacing, or are damaged.

Miracle Ear offer a three-year repair warranty and a three-year loss & damage warranty, whereas Acadian Hearing Services offer a four-year repair warranty and a four-year loss & damage warranty.

Choice of Devices

One distinct difference is that although both Acadian Hearing Services and Miracle Ear have access to the same hearing technology (with Miracle Ear being limited to a one manufacturer relationship), all of their devices are locked.

This means that you can only receive ongoing help and adjustments from a Miracle Ear store, which is frowned upon within the industry and could result in complications.

However, Miracle Ear does have an agreement with franchise owners, which means that you can have your devices serviced at any of their 1500 stores across the country at no additional charge.

In summary, whether you decide to work with Acadian Hearing Services or Miracle Ear, making the decision to address your hearing challenges is such an important first step.

Your Next Steps

Both options are right for some people and not others. We understand it is your decision and value that it is different for different people.

If you have any questions or need any clarification, then you can request a callback on this page, or you can call us at 337-436-3277.

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Dr. Bridget B. Garrido, Au.D.

Dr. Garrido joined the Acadian Hearing & Speech Services team in 1994. She received her doctorate of audiology from Salus University in Elkins Park, PA, a master’s degree in communication disorders from LSU Medical Center in New Orleans, and an undergraduate degree from LSU Baton Rouge. Dr. Garrido is certified nationally from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and holds Louisiana state licensure.