Questions to Ask About a New Product or Treatment

You may hear about new products or treatments for people who have problems with:

• Balance
• Feeding and swallowing
• Hearing
• Language
• Speech, including stuttering

Gather Information

You can learn about products and treatments in several ways:

• The best way is to talk with a licensed and certified audiologist or speech-language pathologist (SLP).
• Look for information on the website of the company selling the product or treatment.
• Search the internet for research articles and stories from other people who have tried the product or treatment.
• Talk to others who have tried the product or treatment, or search community discussion threads and/or product reviews.

Ask Questions

Write down your questions for medical providers before appointments and, if you can, bring someone with you to take notes. The more you know, the better decisions you can make.

Who Is Providing the Product?

What is their background? Is the provider licensed and certified? What is their area of expertise?

How Does the Product or Treatment Work?

Find out what the product or treatment is supposed to do and how it’s expected to help. The information should give you a clear idea of what to expect. Be careful of “miracle cures” or claims of 100% success.

Who Is this Product or Treatment For?

Who was the product developed for, and does it match your situation? If your situation isn’t mentioned, ask your SLP or audiologist if the product or treatment is right for you.

How Should the Product or Treatment Be Used?

Look for information about how the product or treatment is supposed to work. Some products need to be adjusted or provided by an expert. For example, hearing aids need to be fitted by a professional to work properly.

Has Research About This Product or Treatment Been Published in Journals?

Strong research is usually published in peer-reviewed journals (where other experts review the study before it’s published).

Articles in ads, newspapers, or websites may be interesting but aren’t the same as solid scientific evidence. Check to see if there is good research behind their claims.

Learn more about evaluating medical research.

Can I Believe What the People Who Developed the Product or Treatment Say?

Do some research into the company:

• How long have they been in business?
• Are there complaints with the Better Business Bureau or state licensing board?
• Was the product developed by an audiologist or SLP?

Are There Other Products or Treatments Available? How Well Do They Work? How Much Do They Cost?

Ask your audiologist or SLP if there are similar products or treatments. Ask them to help you compare them to the product or treatment you are considering.

Are There Risks or Side Effects to This Product or Treatment?

Your audiologist or SLP should share information about any side effects or possible problems before you start using the product or getting the treatment. Make sure you understand any possible problems, and weigh those against the benefits.

Will I Need Special Training to Use This Product or Treatment? Are There Additional Steps?

Ask your audiologist or SLP if you or your loved one will need special training to use the product or treatment. Ask if training is included and whether there are other steps required for the treatment to work.

Is This Product or Treatment Still Undergoing Testing?

Some products and treatments may still be in the testing phase. You may hear them called “experimental.” If that is the case, you might need to join a research study to use the product or receive the treatment. Participation requires you to fill out paperwork and agree to join the experiment. Discuss this with your audiologist or SLP before taking part in a research study.

Has a Government Agency Approved the Product?

Some products must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which checks most products that we use every day. Check with the FDA to see if they approved the product.

Treatments are not checked by the FDA. There is no one agency that checks all health care treatments.

Is There a Guarantee, Return Policy, or Trial Period?

Check the product information for a warranty, repair, or return policy. A trial period is required in many states. There are also "lemon laws" to protect you if you buy something that doesn't work.

Ask about fees for returns or cancellations before paying. Make sure you know the time limit and any other rules about the trial period before you sign up or pay any money.

Will My Insurance Company Pay for This? If Not, Are There Other Treatments My Insurance Company Will Pay For?

Call your insurance company. Ask if they will pay for the product or treatment. If they will not, ask if there is a different product or treatment that they will pay for. Make sure that you understand how much money you will have to pay.

To find an SLP or audiologist near you, visit ProFind.