 How much
do hearing instruments cost?
Does insurance
cover the cost of hearing instruments?
How do I know
which hearing instruments are best for me?
What
is a digital hearing instrument?
What is the process for getting a hearing instrument?
Does your
office offer a trial period for hearing instruments?
Do you repair hearing instruments if they
break or don’t work?
Do you offer payment plans for purchasing hearing instruments?
Q. How
much do hearing instruments cost?
A.Hearing instruments range in price from about $900
to $3600 each.
The cost is dependent upon the size and style of the instrument
and also by the type of technology. Generally speaking, the more expensive hearing instruments
typically are more miniaturized and contain new and innovative technologies, including
automatic features, advanced feedback control, and advanced noise reduction.
Q. Does insurance cover the cost of hearing
instruments?
A.
Most major insurance companies do not provide hearing
instrument benefits; however, there are increasingly more managed care operations
that have negotiated hearing benefits from certain providers. We would be happy to get
your insurance information and contact your company to determine what, if any, benefits
you may have. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover benefits for hearing
instruments at this time.
Q. How
do I know which hearing instruments are best for me?
A. You must first have your hearing evaluated by an
audiologist to determine if you are even a candidate for hearing instruments.
Once the need for hearing devices has been established, your audiologist will propose
various styles, makes and technologies that are appropriate for your hearing loss
and your specific communication requirements. It is important to be
aware of the fact that everyone’s hearing is unique, and consequently, what may
be an appropriate hearing instrument choice for one person is completely inappropriate
for another.
Q. What
is a digital hearing instrument?
A. Digital instruments have a computer chip in them,
which allows sound to be processed 150 million times per second, and provides the listener
with clear and distinct speech sounds. Because of this fast processing speed, digital products
can give more volume for soft sounds (speech) and less volume for loud sounds (loud
noise or a door slamming). The newest digital devices include products designed
to be trendy and virtually invisible; assist speech understanding in the presence
of background noise; provide excellent fidelity and noise reduction; and adjust
automatically to environmental changes in sound. Our practice works with
over 15 different hearing instrument manufacturers to give you the sound you want
and expect.
Q. What
is the process for getting a hearing instrument?
A. Prior to being fit with hearing instruments, it
is very important that you be examined by an audiologist to determine the extent
and type of hearing problem. Following that, your audiologist will explain the
test results in detail and determine if you are a candidate for hearing instruments
and, if so, what would be the most appropriate amplification for your hearing loss.
During this visit, your audiologist will allow you to listen to the different products
so that you will know what they sound like before you purchase them.
If necessary, your audiologist will measure your ears and/or make impressions of
your ears and order the hearing devices. The actual fitting process occurs in one to three
weeks, depending on the type of hearing instruments.
Q. Does
your office offer a trial period for hearing instruments?
A. We offer a 30 day adjustment period on all hearing
instruments dispensed.
During that period, one of our audiologists will
work very closely with you to assure that you are getting the most from your new
hearing instruments. If we determine that another brand or model than what you
started with would be more appropriate to address your concerns, we will be more
than happy to change the product in order to meet your expectations without any
penalty to you.
However, if at any time during the adjustment period you
decide that the hearing instruments are not working for you, simply return them
in good condition and your money will be refunded less a small dispensing fee to
compensate us for the time and materials spent during the adjustment period.
Q. Do
you repair hearing instruments if they break or don’t work?
A. One of our qualified team members can check your
hearing instruments and determine if the problem is something that they can repair
in our office or whether it requires factory service. If your device must be
sent to the manufacturer for service, the repair cost and warranty will be dependent
upon the manufacturers’ policies and the age of the instrument. Typically, there are no
repair charges from the manufacturer if your hearing instruments are under their
original warranty.
Q. Do
you offer payment plans for purchasing hearing
instruments?
A. Our office strives to offer affordable hearing instruments
and payment options to all people seeking hearing assistance. If you need special payment
arrangements, your audiologist can discuss these options with you at the time of
your appointment.
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