How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost
The price of a hearing aid will vary depending on the specific model and features you need, and how effective it is in various noise environments. As with many products, there are multiple levels of technology to consider, from entry to advanced. Your out-of-pocket expenses may range from approximately $1,000 to $3,000 or more for a single hearing aid depending on the features and technology level you and your audiologist select in order to address your hearing and communication needs.
Input Of Knowledgeable Provider Is Invaluable
Other research indicates that people who’ve tried out OTC hearing aids greatly benefit from the help of a knowledgeable hearing care provider. This small 2017 trial provides some clues. It tested the outcome when adults aged 55 to 79 years with mild-to-moderate hearing loss chose among three pre-programmed hearing aids on their own for both ears. These were high-end digital mini-behind-the-ear aids, one of several common hearing aid styles.
As Catherine Palmer, AuD, director of Audiology at the University of Pittsburgh, notes, a large majority90 percent of participantstried more than one hearing aid. But close to three-quarters picked the wrong aids based on their audiograms. In addition, although they saw a video and received handouts, 20 percent asked for extra help using the aids.
The volunteers paid for their aids upfront and could get their money back if they chose to return their aids. The results: 55 percent wanted to keep them.
Audiological Evaluation Vs Online Hearing Test
A diagnostic audiological evaluation should always be performed before treating any hearing loss. This is the only way to diagnose hearing loss for type and degree.
Online hearing tests cannot provide an accurate diagnosis. The only professional that is licensed to diagnose a hearing loss is an audiologist.
You May Like: How To Keep Hearing Aids On Babies
See An Audiologist For A Hearing Test
It is important that you have a complete hearing test. Audiologists will test your hearing in sound-treated rooms that keep other sounds out. They use special earphones and equipment that meet national standards. Online hearing screens do not have to meet these standards and may lead to test results that are not correct.
Learn more about getting your hearing tested.
Dont Miss: Have A Great Day In Sign Language
How Do I Choose Hearing Aids
It is important to select the hearing aids that are convenient and easy for you to use, and provide the best compensation for your hearing loss. You will want to wear your hearing aids regularly. Other features to consider include parts or services covered by the warranty, estimated schedule and costs for maintenance and repair, options and upgrade opportunities, and the hearing aid company’s reputation for quality and customer service.
You should ask a licensed dispenser if the hearing aids you choose provide a trial/adjustment period during which your hearing aids can be returned for a refund. Most states require a mandatory trial/adjustment period. A trial/adjustment period will allow you to test out your hearing aids to see if it works well for you.
Read Also: How Are You Doing In Sign Language
Potential Benefits Of Otc Hearing Aids
If prescription hearing aids are more effective, why even consider an over-the-counter option? Price and accessibility.
Traditionally, hearing loss has been associated with the natural aging process rather than a treatable medical condition. Consequently, hearing aids are not covered by Medicare or most other health insurance. And they can be costly. Consumer Affairs estimates that the average cost is between $1,000 and $4,000. This often includes a hearing test, consultation, initial fitting and follow-up adjustments.
Some insurance plans cover an initial hearing test if a person has a referral from their primary care doctor. But none of the other services, including the consultation and follow-up appointments for adjusting the devices, are covered. OTC devices will not be covered either, but they are expected to cost significantly less.
I would encourage anyone needing hearing aids to discuss lower-cost options with their audiologist, Dr. Johnson says. There are less expensive prescription hearing aids available.
She also encourages patients to ask about payment plans that might ease the financial burden, especially when a person is on a fixed income.
My goal is to match the treatment to the need, she says. If a hearing aid is programmed using best practice, it can be very effective, even at a value cost. The provider matters more than the product.
They Dont Have Any Smart Features
Prescription hearing aids come with several smart features, including Bluetooth connectivity and programmable amplification. These plusses effectively improve your ability to hear in specific situations, particularly when youre in an environment with a lot of background noise. However, OTC hearing devices dont come with any of these extras and may not provide you with the hearing amplification you need.
Recommended Reading: How To Curse In Sign Language
An Over The Counter Hearing Aid May Put Treatment Within Reach
Yi Hu holds a prototype of the hearing device he developed for the over-the-counter hearing device market. The FDA is expected to issue guidelines for its approval of OTC devices soon.
Newswise Yi Hu has always had a close relationship with his grandfather, who lived in a poor, coal-mining region of China. Around 2005, his grandfather began to complain about hearing difficulty.
We knew that hearing aids could help him, but living in a small city, he had no access to audiologists, and hearing aids were just too expensive for him, said Hu, an associate professor of electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
His grandfathers dilemma is common. Only one in six people in the U.S. who could benefit from hearing aids use them, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The reason is primarily cost. Basic Medicare does not cover the devices, a situation that has caused hearing health-care inequity for lower-income and rural residents.
Untreated hearing loss can be serious because its associated with dementia, depression, falls and social isolation.
Hu has designed a prototype device that, when paired with a smartphone app, approximates the audiologist experience. He envisions consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss being able to buy an assistive hearing device over the counter, the way you can buy reading glasses at the drugstore without a prescription.
How To Buy Hearing Aids Online
A 2018 Trends in Hearing study asked 126 participants to assess 28 DTC hearing aids as compared to the most popular prescription hearing aid offered by the U.K. National Health Service . Most devices rated lower than the NHS device.
In general, the DTC devices offered less flexibility, potentially causing uncomfortably loud noises or low sound quality. So while a DTC hearing aid might be a better option than no hearing aid at all, you may find better results with prescription hearing aids.
Powers offers the following tips for finding the right online hearing aid:
- Choose the style that you think will work best for your lifestyle and comfort levelâeither in-the-ear or behind-the-ear.
- Consider battery options. A rechargeable battery can be helpful if you donât want to change batteries every 10 to 14 days.
- Make sure the company offers a warranty or in-home trial, so you can return the device if it doesnât work for your needs.
- Review device features. A directional microphone, for example, can help you hear better when there is background noise. Some DTC hearing aids also offer feedback reduction, which may help with squeaking noises and other unpleasant sounds.
Read Also: Do Outer Ear Infections Go Away On Their Own
Why Make Hearing Aids Otc
According to the National Institute of Deafness and Communications Disorders, about 28.8 million adults in the United States could benefit from using hearing aids, but fewer than 1 in 3 have ever used them.
Even fewer adults between the ages of 20 to 69 who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them .
In most states, people who want hearing aids must have a hearing test and be fitted for the devices by a hearing specialist. These steps add to the cost and can be difficult for people who do not have access to hearing specialists where they live.
Hearing aids can cost anywhere between $4,000 to $5,000 per pair. Currently, the devices are not covered by basic Medicare plans. When insurance does cover the devices, it usually only covers part of the cost.
In October, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that the FDA’s move “takes us one step closer to the goal of making hearing aids more accessible and affordable for the tens of millions of people who experience mild to moderate hearing loss.”
An executive order released by President Biden in July said OTC hearing aids were one example of how “a lack of competition in healthcare increases prices and reduces access to quality care.”
The White House fact sheet also said that “hearing aids are so expensive that only 14% of the approximately 48 million Americans with hearing loss use them.”
What Are My Chances Of Being Satisfied With An Otc Hearing Aid
A recent study showed that “premium” prescription hearing aids have the highest user satisfaction. This preference stemmed from factors related to comfort, specifically how the hearing aids processed background noise and how well the study participants could hear speech in a group setting. Because of the cost of the technology to develop these features, OTC hearing aids are unlikely to be as sophisticated.
Read Also: Is Hearing Aid Covered By Medicare
Do Hearing Aids Lose Their Effectiveness Over Time
When deciding on a new pair of hearing aids, you need to consider how long they will last. Just like when buying a car, actual mileage may vary.
When deciding on a new pair of hearing aids, you need to consider how long they will last. Just like when buying a car, actual mileage may vary. Most modern high-quality hearing aids have an average life expectancy of between three and seven years. Hearing aids can last three to seven years for some people, even longer.
Variables that affect this lifespan include how well the instrument is constructed, how well it is maintained, and how much wear it experiences when worn in the ear for many hours a day. On average, hearing aids have an estimated lifespan of three to seven years. Depending on the style, some may last longer. In-ear hearing aids typically last four to five years, while behind-the-ear hearing aids have a lifespan of five to six years.
This is due to the construction of the hearing aid and the way they are worn. In-ear hearing aids are exposed to more humidity and higher temperatures due to the way they are worn. As a result, they may experience increased exposure to sweat and earwax. The behind-the-ear headphones are housed in a compartment that fits in the ear, keeping them away from the moisture of daily use.
The studies also differed as to whether participants responded to predetermined reasons for not using hearing aids or whether they gave their own answer. . .
References
Proactive Steps To Get Help With Hearing Aid Costs
Patients do not have to be passive about their hearing needs. Information is available online and through healthcare providers, as well as hearing aid companies, that can guide you in finding help. Private insurance companies offer a spectrum of plans that cover varying benefits, many at affordable prices. For veterans, a good place to start would be the local VA Office. Regardless of which Medicare Plan you choose, the insurance policy will list the number of a representative to call 24 hours a day. This person will be able to check the specific plan and outline in detail what it will cover. There will also be advice as to what specialized policies can be added to help cover specific needs.
Recommended Reading: What Is A P10 Number For Medicare
Recommended Reading: What Can Happen If An Ear Infection Is Left Untreated
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Hearing Loss
The main causes of hearing loss include aging, excessive noise, infections and other middle ear conditions, genetics, viruses or diseases, head trauma, malformations of the ear, autoimmune inner ear disease and reactions to drugs or cancer treatment.
What are the different types of hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural: The most common type, it occurs when the inner ear hair cells are damaged and do not properly transmit auditory signals to the brain.
Conductive: Is typically the result of problems with the middle or outer ear.
Mixed: A combination of sensorineural and conductive.
Cost Of Hearing Aids And How To Save
Hearing aids cost an average of $2,300 each. For both ears, thatâs $4,600 a pair.
Among the range of brands, Eargo tends to be a little less expensive, and Phonak hearing aids can be priced higher. Despite the sticker shock of spending thousands of dollars to manage hearing loss, savvy consumers have several ways to save money on hearing aids:
You May Like: Do Hearing Aids Help Prevent Dementia
When Do You Need Hearing Aids
There is a hierarchy of signs that you need hearing aids, I have based them on the impact of hearing problems in your life. If you have reached number one, you are truly a stubborn person and you need to have a chat with yourself.
If you even get to number 6 on the above list, you need to go and see a professional. Hearing loss can be a bit difficult for the person who suffers with it to recognise. Our cultural understanding of hearing loss is formed by what we see on TV. Most people think hearing loss is about volume, speak up speak up! It normally isn’t. In most cases, hearing loss is about the clarity of speech.
Hearing loss is generally not about volume, it is more likely about clarity, you can hear the voice, you just don’t know what they are saying
High-frequency hearing and the consonants in speech
What Concerns Exist Regarding Otc Devices
Professional services before, during, and after hearing aids are fit may not be available for OTC hearing aids. An audiologist is a doctoral level professional, who is trained to evaluate hearing, diagnose hearing loss, and help optimize hearing health and communication through safe and effective use of all hearing aids, including those available OTC when indicated. Audiologists also counsel individuals about the appropriate care and use of hearing aids, realistic expectations, and benefits and risks associated with the use of either OTC or prescription hearing aids.
Basic hearing tests may be found online or through smartphone apps. Self-guided hearing tests should be used with caution. When the audiologist is removed from the diagnostic process, ear conditions that require medical attention can be missed. If a difference in hearing between ears is obvious, or symptoms like pain or drainage from the ear are present, please see a physician or audiologist before proceeding with an over-the-counter hearing aid.
No matter what type of hearing aids you choose to try, an audiologist can help ensure you get the most out of them. The audiologist can also ensure all your hearing healthcare needs are addressed over time as your hearing or the demands on your hearing change.
Read Also: What Causes Ringing In The Ears And Lightheadedness
What Is Included In Hearing Aid Coverage
Coverage details will depend on exactly which plan and insurance provider you have, so its best to contact your Glendale Medicare insurance agentto get accurate information about your own plan or to switch to a different one that will better meet your health needs.
Generally speaking, Medicare Advantage provide coverage for hearing tests, which can help determine whether someone would benefit from a hearing aid, along with the cost of the hearing aid devices themselves and the fitting process. Maintenance costs, such as new batteries, and repairs are often also covered. Sometimes, an insurance will require a co-pay for help cover the cost while others may provide a fixed allowance amount that a person can spend on hearing aids.
Dont Miss: How Much Is Medicare A And B
How Do I Know If I Have A Hearing Loss
Most of the time hearing problems begin gradually, without discomfort or pain. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether you might have hearing loss:
If you answered yes to several of these questions, chances are you are experiencing hearing loss.
Read Also: What Type Of Hearing Aids Are Available On Nhs
How Hearing Aids Work
Hearing aids use the same basic parts to carry sounds from the environment into your ear and make them louder. Nearly all modern hearing aids are digital, in fact, it is nearly impossible to get the old type analogue hearing aids now.
All hearing aids are battery powered, the battery may be the traditional zinc-air battery or a rechargeable battery that can be lithium-ion or silver-zinc. Small microphones collect sounds from the environment. A computer chip with an amplifier converts the incoming sound into digital code. It analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your hearing loss, listening needs and the level of the sounds around you. The amplified signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears through speakers.