Hearing Aids Cost & Options
According to the World Health Organization, over 5% of the world’s population -- or 466 million people – has disabling hearing loss. It is estimated that by 2050, over 900 million people – or one in every 10 people – will have a disabling hearing loss. Unfortunately, 17% of those who could benefit from use of a hearing aid actually use one.
So, taking the first step toward treating your hearing loss – or finding out information for a loved one – is critical. Doing your research, learning about hearing aid costs and options, is important. Here are a few FAQs to help you as you research hearing aid costs and options.
Where can I buy hearing aids?
The best place to begin is to partner with a hearing care professional. (Don’t have a hearing care professional? Click here , and we can help you find one.) They have advanced testing and tools to gauge your hearing capabilities precisely, plus they have taken extensive training to understand which hearing aid and technology level is best for you.
Furthermore, the hearing care professional will support you, as you become acclimated to wearing hearing aids. They will provide tips to help you become accustomed to wearing hearing aids, and kits to properly clean and maintain them. They will also repair your hearing aids if they break.
As the analogy goes: You can put glasses on, and see how they help, and know for certain what you still can’t see. When it comes to hearing, you have no idea what you’re missing.
How do I choose a hearing aid?
A hearing care professional will be able to assist you with selecting a hearing aid that fits your hearing loss and your lifestyle after performing a hearing test. Additionally, here are a few steps that you should work toward:
1. Make a list of hearing goals & ambitions: Making a list of your own hearing goals and ambitions is an important first step. Outlining what situations you find most challenging, and what you want your hearing aids to do will help you focus throughout the process.
2. Get insight from those closest to you: Talking with those around you – especially family and friends – will help you find out even more. They have likely noticed many things about your hearing, such as which situations and what distances challenge you the most. They know when you can’t hear them.
3. Check your hearing: Hearing checks are quick, simple and pain-free. Visit the Phonak Online Hearing Test here.
4. Get a more in-depth physical examination: A longer examination requires your doctor, an ENT or a hearing care professional. They will examine the physical state of your ears and head.
5. Review the available hearing aid options: Your hearing care professional will then take all this into consideration and assemble a list of hearing aid models which fit your wants and needs. As noted above, they can then set tiers — based on hearing aids prices and performance — to give you options. Many offer hearing aid payment plans.
6. Do a hearing aid price comparison: Your hearing care professional will be able to share the devices they recommend. In addition to understanding how the different devices help with your hearing loss, their features and benefits, and how they fit your lifestyle, it is important to ask about their pricing.
7. Check with your private health plan (if applicable): If you do have a private health plan, you may want to reach out to see what is available depending on your coverage.
8. Research hearing aid payment plans: Your hearing care professional may be able to support you with information on payment plans.
9. Be ready to adjust: Make note of what you like and do not like about your hearing aids, and keep these points ready for your next visit to your local hearing care professional.
What features are available in the hearing aids I purchase?
Like most innovative technology, hearing aids are innovating rapidly. What was incredibly advanced just two years ago might even be a standard feature. Available features will certainly change more in the years ahead. This could affect the price of a hearing aid.
Here is a brief list of features that might be available in the hearing aids that fit your hearing loss:
- Preset programs
- Individually programmable
- Connectivity to Bluetooth®-enabled devices
- Digital memory
- Direct audio input
- Telecoils
- Synchronization
- Directional microphones
- Feedback control
- Noise reduction
- Environmental noise control
- Rechargeable
- Low battery indicators
- Wax guards
Remote voice control lets you do things like reset the volume, or switch programming without touching your hearing aids. Many of these functions are automatic. Some hearing aids also come with physical remote controls; so you can further adjust without removing your hearing aids.
Preset programs are very helpful for those wearing hearing aids for the first time.
Programmable hearing aids become more useful the longer you wear them. Generally, adjusting microphone levels and automatic noise filters are the most important programmable functions.
Connectivity links your hearing aids to your smartphone for new functions and apps. Wireless connectivity — most notably through Bluetooth® — provides access to phone calls, online programming, and entire catalogs of music and sound therapy tracks. (Note: You may need an accompanying streaming device, to access some digital sources.)
Digital memory will store things like your listening preferences and pre-programmed settings.
Direct audio input lets you connect your hearing aids to external audio sources. These include televisions, computers, stereos and more.
Telecoils can hone in on external devices which emit sound. The speakers in an auditorium, church, stadium or movie theater are excellent examples. Telecoils also help with phone calls, by blocking out the surrounding environmental noise.
Directional microphones help you hear from all angles. They can also improve your hearing by focusing; for instance, sharpening the sound ahead of you, while reducing noise from the back and sides. They may also filter noisy backgrounds. Some hearing aids, however, only focus in one direction.
Feedback control and noise reduction (or cancellation) are quite standard. All hearing aids have these now. But specific levels — of how much noise can be reduced, how much feedback can be eliminated, and in which environments —vary greatly.
Environmental noise control includes things like traffic, and noise from wind. Smart digital technology has greatly advanced this type of noise suppression.
Rechargeable hearing aids are beloved by users the world over. Instead of worrying about batteries, you charge the hearing aids similarly to a smartphone.
What should I consider before I purchase a hearing aid?
Here are a few considerations before purchasing a hearing aid.
- Visiting a hearing care professional for the first time might be new to you. Ask your friends who wear hearing aids which clinic they visit or take a look at reviews online of hearing care professionals.
- Check to see if the hearing aid includes a warranty and if the hearing care professional offers a trial period. The warranty should cover parts and labor for a specified period. Some offices may include office visits or professional services in the warranty. Trial periods help you get comfortable.
Considerations for the future include upgrades, increased connectivity, improved power and available accessories.
Make sure you read some product reviews, not just of the individual model you prefer, but also of the entire brand line.
What is included in hearing aid prices?
There are many factors that determine the price of hearing aids. These can include the level of technology, pricing structure of the clinic, and the services and accessories included with the hearing aid purchase.
If you are looking for information on a specific cost at any given time, it is best to reach out to a specific hearing care professional.
Can I compare hearing aid prices?
You can certainly do preliminary research yourself. A hearing aid price comparison is a solid idea; however, it is best to consult a hearing care professional before making a final investment.
Considerations include:
- Consumer reviews
- Brand vs. brand comparisons
- Available technology
- Recommendations from other hearing aid wearers
- New emerging technology
- Refund policies
- Warranties
- Additional fees
- Total costs
Does private health plans cover hearing aids?
Some private health plans may cover the cost of hearing aids. It is best to reach out to your plan, if applicable, to learn what is covered.
What should I expect when buying a hearing aid?
Here are a few things you should expect:
a preliminary hearing test
- to meet with a hearing care professional, for a full physical checkup (which may include health referrals)
- to discuss your lifestyle with the hearing care professional. What would you like to do? Focus in conversations, watch television, drive more, listen to music, attend business meetings (etc.).
- to receive a range of options; accordingly, sorted by hearing aid prices.
- to be surprised by the available technology
- to consult with your insurance provider and consider different hearing aid payment plans (which will affect the total price of hearing aids)
Once you have hearing aids, you might want to factor in some time for adjustment. But your new hearing aids may also do things which you didn’t expect. For example, you may notice sounds you didn’t hear before, like the floors squeaking in your home or your car’s turn signal clicking.
What is the best hearing aid?
There are many factors to consider which is the “best” hearing aid for you. That’s why partnering with a hearing care provider is essential. He or she will be able to help you find the best hearing aid that fits your lifestyle and your budget.