Audiology & Hearing Center, Cookeville

“I had three problems with this business, but if anyone reading this is short on time, skip to number 3 on the list, for that one is the most outrageous. 1) When I went to them, and as soon as the hearing test was over, I was given the hard sell. The price of the Hearing Aids “recommended” was over $8,000. (Surprise, surprise, that was their highest priced model) When I asked the woman who had done the testing what was the difference in the various models, some of which were considerably cheaper, I did not get a clear answer. This made me suspicious as to whether there was a significant difference in the models. I did not feel I was being helped; I felt like I was being “sold.” 2) When I asked her if my insurance was likely to cover the costs of Hearing Aids, she said "no." Now, I assumed she knew her business, but was surprised that my insurance (being a highly rated one used very commonly in Tennessee) would not help. I therefore was discouraged about getting Hearing Aids. But then later I checked with my insurance, and learned that they WOULD cover most of the cost! Now, how could a person in the audiology business not know that? Why did she not say, “I am unsure--would you like me to have our business department check into that for you?” But that of course would have taken some effort on her part. 3) Now for what really showed their attitude toward their patients. I did not decide right away about getting Hearing Aids, but of course had given my insurance card and they processed the paperwork regarding their fee for that visit. They waved me off goodbye, and I left. I heard nothing from them, so assumed the insurance did as expected and paid for the one visit. A year passed. Then one day I received an odd notice. I could not believe what I was reading. It was a threat from a collection agency demanding that I pay the $60 I “owed” Audiology & Hearing Center of Cookeville, or else action would be taken against me. When I phoned Audiology & Hearing Center of Cookeville’s business manager(?) she showed no interest in trying to understand the situation. She just snarled at me that they had sent 4 notices about the debt. She would not even begin to consider that perhaps they had made a mistake. Instead, she disputed my word, in effect saying I was lying. But I wasn’t. We had not received even one notice from them about a debt. (Sure, I am elderly criminal mastermind who tricks area medical businesses into giving me free care—of course, it happens all the time). The idea of emailing me, phoning me (they had my number) or spend a little to send a registered letter just wasn’t worth it to them. A 30-second phone call would have gotten a good response from me, and it would have all been okay. But no, they would rather disrespect me and treat me like a thief. Never mind that I have never failed to pay a debt in my life, that my credit rating is without blemish, etc. ”