 Frequently
asked questions
Do you have a hearing loss?
Try our free online screening tools to see if you or a loved one might
need help for a hearing loss:
Q. Why are hearing aids so expensive?
A. The expense in hearing aids can be attributed to a combination of
factors:
- Manufacturers spend a great deal of time and money researching and
developing newer and better sounding hearing aids.
- Compared to the number of people who have hearing loss, few actually
purchase hearing aids. It has been estimated that if everyone who had
hearing loss purchased hearing aids, the cost would be less than half of
the current price.
- There is a large service component to the purchase of hearing aids.
When purchasing hearing aids, you are also purchasing pre- and
post-fitting sessions and counseling services.
Our audiologists continue to seek our ways to keep hearing aids
accessible and affordable to all of our patients. Aurora Health Care offers
a 5% discount to members of the Freedom 55+ program.
Click here for free
membership.
Q. What should I expect during my first visit to the audiologist?
A. The audiologist will take a comprehensive history and invite you to share
your concerns about your hearing health and communication difficulties.
He/she will exam your ears and check for ear wax. A comprehensive evaluation
of your hearing will take place in a sound treated booth with calibrated
equipment. The audiologist will review the results with you as well as
answer any questions that you may have. He/she may recommend a hearing aid
consultation and/or medical referral. Written materials can be provided to
share with family members.
Q. Do I need to see a physician before obtaining hearing aids?
A. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all persons have a
medical evaluation by a licensed physician before purchasing hearing aids.
This medical evaluation can be waived if the patient meets certain criteria
and is over the age of 18. The audiologist is able to determine if the
patient meets the criteria during the evaluation.
Q. Do I need two hearing aids or can I get by with just one?
A. Studies have shown that individuals hear well in most situations when
amplifying both ears instead of just one. Some examples include:
- Group conversations
- Conversation with background noise present
- Localizing or determining the direction from which sound or
conversation is coming from
Recent research has also suggested that sound perception can actually
deteriorate quicker in an ear that is not amplified in comparison to the ear
that wears the hearing aid.
Q. Does my insurance pay for hearing aids?
A. Generally speaking, most insurance companies pay for hearing tests but do
not pay for hearing aids. Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. However, premium policies and
some employer-negotiated insurance terms may have coverage. It is wise to
check with your individual policy before your audiology appointment.
When checking insurance coverage you should ask the following:
- Does coverage include both ears?
- Is there a dollar limit?
- How often are replacement hearing aids allowed?
Be careful not to confuse coverage with discounts. Some insurance
companies may negotiate a discount from certain hearing aid vendors, however
those discounts may be reductions from MSR (manufacturer suggested retail)
cost, which are generally much higher than the usual and customary pricing
available at hospitals and clinics.
Q. What should I do if I know my spouse/significant other needs a
hearing aid, but they won't admit it?
This is a hard question and there is no one magic solution to convince
someone that they need hearing help. Try to be as understanding as possible,
realizing that change is never easy for anyone. Someone who has a hearing
problem may not be aware of the decrease or even know that someone repeats
things several times for them.
Encourage the person to have a no obligation consultation as a first
step. Avoid having a free screening at high-pressure hearing aid sales
facilities, as this tends to be a turn-off to the person who is struggling
with admitting a hearing problem. Seeking advice from a family physician as
an independent source can help. Most family physicians know a good
audiologist or audiology clinic to refer you to.
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