The patient, Alerica, is a three year old girl, now receiving a new set of hearing aids.  The audiologist tested the child, made ear impressions for the earmolds, which are now on order, and discussed the hearing aid options with patient’s mother.  As is typical for your clinic, you provided the range of options: high-end, mid range, and lower technology.  You described the advantages and features each option had, and the pricing of each.  The patient’s mother seemed a little overwhelmed.  The audiologist encouraged the mother to take her time, discuss it with family members, and she could either phone in her final decision or come back and discuss the options again, with a family member if she would like.

The mother and audiologist speak by phone two days later.  The audiologist opens the conversation with the neutral question “So what are your thoughts about Alerica’s hearing aids?”  The mother replies “So, you really think the mid range option is our best choice, right?”

• If you were the audiologist, how would you respond?