How we write and check our guides

Sources first

Every guide starts from primary sources, in roughly this order of preference:

• Clinical practice guidelines, such as those from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
• Federal agencies: the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), FDA, CDC, NIOSH and CMS/Medicare.gov
• Professional bodies: the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology
• Peer-reviewed research, with a preference for systematic reviews and randomized trials

Statistics, prices, laws and study findings carry a numbered citation that links to the source list at the end of the guide. If we can't find a reliable source for a number, we leave the number out.

Who writes the guides

Guides are written by the Dr Auditory editorial team. We write for adults and their families, in plain English, and we lead with the answer. We don't publish testimonials, invented case studies or quotes we can't attribute.

Clinical review

We are adding licensed audiologists as clinical reviewers. When a guide has been reviewed by a clinician, the reviewer's name and credentials appear at the top of that guide, along with the date of review. Until then, a guide shows only the editorial byline and its sources. We never label a page as clinically reviewed unless it has been.

Independence

Hearing practices can pay for a claimed directory listing. That payment never affects what a guide says, and no practice or manufacturer can pay to be mentioned or recommended in one. If we ever add affiliate links to products, they will be clearly labeled as paid links.

Updates

Coverage rules, prices and regulations change. Each guide shows the date it was last updated, and we review guides when a relevant guideline, law or major study changes.

Corrections

If you find an error, please tell us through the contact form and choose “Report an error in a guide.” We review every report and correct confirmed errors within two business days.

Not medical advice

Our guides are general information. They aren't a substitute for an evaluation by an audiologist or physician. See our medical disclaimer.