Need an Audiologist in Peoria, IL? Here's What to Know.
Most people searching for an "audiologist" actually need a Hearing Instrument Specialist — and that's a good thing.
If you're looking for an audiologist in Peoria, IL, start here. At River City Hearing, our licensed Hearing Instrument Specialists handle the vast majority of hearing care — testing, fittings, programming, repairs, and ongoing aftercare — at a more affordable price than an audiologist visit. And if your situation does require an audiologist, we'll help connect you with one.
In most cases, a Hearing Aid Specialist is the right choice — and the more affordable one. This page explains why, and when an audiologist is actually necessary.
Quick Answer:
If you're searching for an audiologist in Peoria, IL, here's what most people don't realize: a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist can handle the vast majority of hearing care — testing, fittings, programming, and ongoing service — at a meaningfully lower cost than an audiologist. River City Hearing's HIS team provides all of this in-house. And for the small number of cases that truly require an audiologist, we'll help connect you with one.
On this page:
Hearing Care Services Available at River City Hearing in Peoria, IL
Audiologist Referral Coordination
For the small percentage of patients who truly need an audiologist — sudden hearing changes, complex tinnitus with medical flags, balance concerns, or specialized diagnostic testing — we'll help connect you with a trusted audiologist. Our team knows who to call and what information to send so you don't start from scratch.
Comprehensive Hearing Tests
Every patient who walks through our doors gets a full audiometric evaluation. We test across the speech spectrum, in quiet and in noise, with bone conduction and speech recognition testing as needed. See our Hearing Tests page for the full evaluation breakdown.
Tinnitus Evaluation & Management
Whether the cause is hearing-loss related, noise-induced, or something more medical, we evaluate tinnitus thoroughly and build a management plan. Learn more about tinnitus care.
Hearing Aid Fittings & Programming
Once we identify your hearing loss pattern, our hearing aid specialists fit and program your devices — and continue to refine them through follow-up visits. Hearing Aid Fitting details.
Pediatric & Specialty Referrals
For patients who need pediatric audiology, cochlear implant candidacy, or vestibular evaluations, we coordinate referrals with regional audiology specialists and ENT physicians.
Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Specialist — What's the Difference, and Which Do You Need?
The terms get used interchangeably online, but they describe two different (and complementary) professions.
What a Licensed Audiologist (Au.D.) Does
An audiologist is a doctoral-level healthcare professional holding an Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) degree, typically four years of graduate training following a bachelor's.
- Diagnose hearing and balance disorders
- Full diagnostic audiometric testing (ABR, VNG, OAE)
- Evaluate and manage tinnitus and hyperacusis
- Provide pediatric hearing care
- Assess cochlear implant candidacy
- Manage vestibular (balance) disorders
- Fit and program hearing aids
Reference: American Academy of Audiology — What Is an Audiologist
What a Hearing Aid Specialist (HIS / BC-HIS) Does
A Hearing Instrument Specialist is a state-licensed professional who specializes in hearing aid evaluation, selection, fitting, programming, and ongoing care. In Illinois, licensed through the IDFPR.
- Perform hearing screenings and testing for hearing aid purposes
- Recommend, fit, and program hearing aids
- Provide ongoing maintenance, cleanings, and programming
- Counsel patients on hearing aid use and care
- Refer to audiologists or ENT physicians when needed
| Audiologist (Au.D.) | HIS / BC-HIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctorate — 4 years grad school | State-licensed; programs vary |
| Diagnostic Scope | Full audiology, vestibular, pediatric | Hearing evaluation for aid purposes |
| Hearing Tests | Comprehensive diagnostic + specialty | Full audiometric for fittings |
| Hearing Aid Fitting | Yes | Yes — core specialty |
| Tinnitus | Yes — including complex cases | Yes — hearing-related tinnitus |
| Pediatric Care | Yes — primary provider | Refers to pediatric audiologist |
| Visit Cost | Often higher | Often more affordable |
| Best Fit For | Complex diagnostics, pediatrics, balance | Adult fittings, aftercare, repairs |
The Bottom Line: Start With an HIS — It's Usually All You Need
Here's the truth most practices won't tell you: for an adult with typical age-related hearing loss, a Hearing Instrument Specialist provides the exact same hearing aid fitting, programming, and follow-up care as an audiologist — at a meaningfully lower cost. We designed River City Hearing around this reality. Start with our HIS team for testing and care. In the uncommon case that your situation warrants an audiologist, we'll tell you honestly and help with the referral. No runaround. No unnecessary doctorate-level billing. Just the right level of care for what you actually need.
When to See an Audiologist (and When a Hearing Aid Specialist Is the Better Fit)
See an Audiologist For:
- Sudden or rapidly progressing hearing loss (urgent — usually within 72 hours)
- One-sided hearing loss with unknown cause
- Persistent dizziness or vertigo alongside hearing changes
- Complex or pulsatile tinnitus requiring medical workup
- Pediatric hearing concerns (infants through teens)
- Cochlear implant candidacy evaluation
- Auditory processing disorder evaluation
See a Hearing Aid Specialist For:
- Routine adult hearing aid evaluations and fittings
- Hearing aid programming, fine-tuning, and follow-up visits
- Earwax management and routine ear health checks
- Hearing aid cleaning, repairs, and maintenance
- Transitioning from OTC to prescription hearing aids
- Annual hearing rechecks for adults with stable hearing loss
See an ENT Physician First For:
- Drainage, pain, or signs of infection in the ear
- Recent head injury with hearing changes
- Hearing loss following a known medical event (stroke, ototoxic medication)
When you contact us, we'll ask the right questions to make sure you see the right professional — even if that's not us.
How to Get Started With River City Hearing
Most Patients Start With Our Hearing Aid Specialists — Here's Why
For routine hearing concerns — trouble following conversations, turning up the TV, struggling in noisy restaurants — our licensed Hearing Instrument Specialists provide the same testing and fitting care as an audiologist, at a more affordable rate. We'll screen for any red flags that might warrant an audiologist referral, but the vast majority of adults get everything they need right here.
How to Book Your Hearing Appointment
Call River City Hearing or submit the contact form.
Briefly describe what's going on — we'll let you know if an HIS visit is right for you or if your situation calls for an audiologist referral.
For most patients, we book you directly with our HIS team — usually same week.
If an audiologist is actually needed, we'll tell you upfront and help coordinate the referral so you don't start from scratch.
What to Bring & What to Expect
- A list of current medications.
- Any prior audiograms or hearing test reports you have.
- A family member or friend, if helpful — they often notice things you don't.
- Plan for about 60 minutes for a full hearing evaluation and fitting discussion.
Why Peoria Patients Choose River City Hearing for Audiology & Hearing Aid Services
Independent and women-owned
No manufacturer quotas, no corporate scripts.
Multi-brand fittings
Phonak, Oticon, Signia, ReSound, Starkey, and more.
No referral required
Book directly with us — no physician referral needed.
More affordable than audiology clinics
Same quality hearing care at a meaningfully lower visit cost.
5-star patient reviews
Consistently rated across Google.
Local follow-up
Quick adjustments without driving to Springfield or Bloomington.
Insurance & Self-Pay Options for Audiology Services in Peoria
We accept most major insurance plans for diagnostic audiology services. Hearing aid coverage varies widely by plan — we verify your benefits before any device purchase so you know exactly what's covered. For patients without coverage, we offer transparent self-pay pricing and flexible scheduling.
Contact River City Hearing — We'll Match You With the Right Hearing Care Professional
The fastest way to get scheduled is by phone. You can also use our online contact form, and we'll call back within one business day to get you booked with the right hearing care professional.
Whether you need an audiologist, a hearing aid specialist, or you're not sure which — start here.
2000 W. Pioneer Parkway, #5, Peoria, IL 61615
Frequently Asked Questions About Audiologists & Hearing Care in Peoria
No. Illinois law does not require a physician referral to see an audiologist or hearing aid specialist. You can schedule directly.
Diagnostic audiology evaluations are commonly covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Self-pay rates vary by service. Call us with your insurance information for an accurate estimate.
For HIS appointments at River City Hearing, most patients are seen same week. If you need an audiologist specifically, we'll help coordinate a referral — wait times depend on the audiologist's schedule. Urgent cases (sudden hearing loss) are prioritized and we'll help get you in quickly.
No. A thorough audiology evaluation may identify medical concerns that need ENT referral, may show hearing that doesn't yet need amplification, or may recommend hearing protection rather than devices. Hearing aids are one recommendation among many.
A PCP screen typically tests at a single decibel level — it's not a diagnostic audiogram. If you're experiencing real-world hearing difficulty (struggling in restaurants, asking people to repeat, turning up the TV), a full diagnostic audiology evaluation will give you a real answer.
We coordinate pediatric audiology referrals with regional specialists. For comprehensive pediatric evaluations, we connect families with the appropriate clinic.
That's a hearing aid specialist visit, not an audiologist visit — usually a quick walk-in appointment. See our Hearing Aid Repair page for details.