Where’s The Best Place To Buy Hearing Aids

Where Do I Purchase Hearing Aids

Federal regulation prohibits any hearing aid sale unless the buyer has first received a physicians evaluation, so you will need to see your doctor before you purchase a hearing aid. However, the regulation also says that if you are over 18 and aware of the recommendation for a medical exam, you may sign a waiver to forego it.

An otolaryngologist, audiologist, or independent dispenser can dispense aids. Hearing aids should be custom-fit to your ear and hearing needs. Mail-order hearing aids typically cannot be custom-fit.

Do Small Hearing Aids Work

All hearing aids work to some degree. The style, size, and features determine how well they work for each type of hearing loss. Small hearing aids include larger styles, like in-the-ear , and nearly invisible styles, like in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal . These types of devices are more appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss, with a select few appropriate for severe hearing loss.

The advantage of small hearing aids is the almost invisible appearance they provide. Many people can wear these devices without anyone knowing they have hearing aids, which can help those who experience stigma surrounding hearing aids. Research shows that many people, especially older adults, associate hearing loss and hearing aids with stigma related to perceived feelings of lower cognitive ability, ageism , and vanity . And that stigma was enough to delay people from seeking help for their hearing loss. For those who experience similar stigma, small hearing aids may help. Small hearing aids are also lightweight and often provide a more natural sound quality beca they are placed deep into the ear canal.

That being said, because they go in your ear, they may not be a good fit for everyones ear canal. Thats why its a good idea to go to a professional to get fitted for a hearing aid. Small hearing aids may also require more battery changes since they can only hold a small battery, and the compact size may result in fewer features.

Hearing Aid Buyers Guide: Where To Buy

Buying hearing aids can seem like a complicated mess. Many people put off getting hearing aids because it feels like a herculean task in itself, which leaves them struggling to hear the world around them. Only one in five people with hearing loss who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid are actively using one.

But its the 21st century, and there are now many ways you can buy hearing aids, both in person and online! From hearing clinics to online direct-to-consumer companies like MDHearingAid, you now have a choice in where you go for your hearing aids.

So where do you start? Check out our hearing aid buyers guide to learn more about your options and what path will work for you.

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Todays Hearing Aids Are Sophisticated High

Hearing aids have long been the go-to remedy for hearing loss. Just as glasses are advised when we have vision issues, and pacemakers are prescribed to correct irregular heartbeats, hearing aids are what healthcare professionals around the globe recommend to treat hearing loss.

And rightly so especially todays hearing aids. Smarter and more technically advanced than ever before, the best hearing aids are able to do amazingly sophisticated things to help us hear better and stay connected.

And they do it all in a tiny electronic device that needs to sit comfortably in our warm, moist, unique-as-a-fingerprint ears for a dozen hours each day every day .

But as with any sophisticated tool or even simple ones like, say, a chisel they produce even better results when wielded by an expert who is proficient at using them. Thats where the hearing professional comes in.

S To Purchasing A Hearing Aid:

1) Find a local hearing care professional you can trust

The first question is: wheres the best place to buy hearing aids? Buying from a local hearing care professional ensures youll receive focused and personalized hearing care from someone in your own community, who you can visit in the future for adjustments and ongoing support.

2) Complete a lifestyle assessment

Your daily routine is an important factor when selecting the right hearing aids for you. Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Are you retired or do you still work? Are you often in noisy indoor environments? Bring your responses to your free hearing consultation.

5) Review your audiogram results with a professional.

If hearing loss is detected, completing an audiogram will be the next step during your consultation. Measured by playing tones of different frequencies and speech sounds through earphones, an audiogram graph will reveal what type of hearing loss you have and whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe of profound.

6) Try before you buy.

Today’s best hearing aids are not only comfortable, easy to wear and nearly invisible, but they offer features such as:

• Automatic adjustments according to changes in your environment
• Bluetooth connectivity for easy control from your smartphone
• Crystal-clear phone calls and audio streaming

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How Do Hearing Aids Work

A hearing aid typically contains a microphone, amplifier and speaker. The microphone picks up acoustic sound waves and converts them into electrical signals, which are then processed and enhanced by the amplifier. Those signals are then sent to the speaker, which converts them back into sound waves, providing a louder and clearer sound for the wearer. This method of sound amplification can help improve a persons hearing and make speech from others easier to understand.

Questions To Ask When Shopping For Hearing Aids

Does the company sell online or in person?

Some over-the-counter hearing aids are offered only online, others give you the option of buying online or in person, and still other brands are available only through audiologists clinics.

What are my payment options?

Many over-the-counter hearing aid companies only allow payment by credit card on their websites. Some companies do provide financing, though, allowing you to pay by the month and spread out the cost of your hearing aids over one or two years. If you buy hearing aids from an audiologists clinic, you may be able to pay by cash or check as well.

If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account , you can also use those funds to pay for hearing aids and batteries.35

Does the company provide a free trial period?

While most state laws require trial periods for hearing aids, not all states do. Be sure to ask the hearing aid company what its free-trial policy is before purchasing hearing aids, since a free trial period will allow you some time to adjust to your new hearing aids before committing to them.

If I need help adjusting my hearing device, how can I reach customer support?

Its important to know if the company provides customer support in-person, over the phone, and/or online .

What type of warranty does the company offer?

Find out how long the hearing aid warranty lasts, whether you can extend it , and what services the warranty covers .

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How Do I Know If I Need A Hearing Aid

Unless a doctor or audiologist has recommended hearing aids, you may not know if you need a pair. If youre noticing hearing loss in one or both ears, it may be time to consider hearing aids. Your spouse, other family members, and/or friends may have also noticed your difficulties with hearing and recommended hearing aids as a solution.

Some signs of hearing loss to be aware of, according to the Mayo Clinic14, include:

• Feeling the need to speak loudly
• Requiring electronic devices to be turned up louder than normal
• Asking people to repeat themselves because you cant hear or understand what they are saying
• Straining to hear

• Not recommended for profound hearing loss
• Not appropriate for young children
• Larger than completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
• More noticeable than other discrete devices
• May get clogged with earwax and require more cleaning
• More prone to feedback issues

Resources For Financial Support

The majority of insurance providers in the United States do not cover hearing aids. There are, however, several options for financial aid available for those who qualify. Ive included some links that might help in your research below.

VA Health Benefits

If you are a veteran, you can sign up for VA health benefits and access hearing aids through that program. More info and directions on how to sign up here.

Local Non-Profit Organizations and Government Support

There are many local organizations around the United States that can provide financial support for hearing aids. These range from hearing providers to local Lions Clubs and nonprofits. The Hearing Aid Project has a great resource for finding these programs here. The Hearing Aid Project also accepts hearing aid donations.

The Hearing Loss Association of America has a list of published resources along with a PDF guide here.

Financing Directly Through a Hearing Aid Provider

Its worth noting that several hearing providers, including Audicus, Lively, Eargo and Lexie, offer payment plans to spread out the cost of your hearing aids. You might also be able to work out a payment plan with a local audiologist.

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What Are Personal Sound Amplification Products

Some personal sound amplifiers look similar to hearing aids, and many work with Bluetooth to amplify the TV, radio or phone volume for you. Sam’s Club has sound-amplifying devices for one or both ears, depending on how much help you need. You can choose between our in-ear amplifiers or headset devices.

How do personal sound amplification products work?

Many personal sound amplifiers look like traditional headphone headsets. They connect to televisions, cell phones and other electronic devices via wireless Bluetooth technology. This provides hearing assistance without the hassle of cords.

Sam’s Club offers a Lucid wireless audio streamer TV adapter that allows your television to transmit a Bluetooth signal to your personal sound amplifier. Check your TV specifications to see if you need a Bluetooth adapter for your TV. Most modern smartphones, like iPhones and Android phones, offer a built-in Bluetooth connection.

Who are personal sound amplification products intended for?

Personal sound amplifiers work well for people with moderate hearing loss or for people starting to experience hearing loss who want to ensure hearing health.

Is personal sound amplification the same as headphones?

What Else We Recommend

• Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids: The first FDA-cleared, self-fitting hearing aid, this set is relatively inexpensive, designed to help with mild to moderate hearing loss, and can be purchased online. It’s a self-set-up device, and while some research supports users fitting their own hearing aids, all our experts emphasized the importance of in-person hearing tests and fittings. However, if you won’t need assistance setting it up, this is a solid, very affordable, no-frills device.
• Phonak Lyric: A professional has to place these small, battery-powered aids in the ear canal, but completely hidden from view, can be worn for months, and use the shape of your ear to provide more natural sound. Since they are semi-permanent, you can’t swim when wearing them, and they require a yearly subscription, they’re a niche pick rather than a top spot.

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What Is The Difference Between A Hearing Aid And A Hearing Amplifier

Hearing aids are considered medical devices and are used to treat hearing loss, while hearing amplifiers, or personal sound amplification products , are not. The FDA regulates the manufacture and sale of hearing aids.

PSAPs are used for recreational purposes to amplify all sounds equally. Hunters, bird watchers, and concert attendees sometimes use them so they can hear everything in their environment better. The FDA does not regulate PSAPs.

How Hearing Aids Work

You should have a general idea of how hearing aids work before you start shopping. Most hearing loss happens because tiny hair cells lining the inner ear become irreparably damaged by loud noises, the aging process, illness, genetics or medications.

The hair cells help the brain understand speech and other sounds, and when they are damaged, hearing aids take over. There are three essential parts to all hearing aids:

Lesson

We used the term amplified, but compare hearing amplifiers to hearing aids, and youll see they are not the same. You can learn more about this later in our FAQ.

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Types Of Hearing Aids And How To Choose The Right One

While hearing aids continue trending toward smaller devices, your degree of hearing loss may rule out the tiniest styles. The chart below is a reference for various types of hearing aids and hearing loss remedies.

To learn more detailed information, read Hearing Aid Types Explained.

Otc Vs Prescription Hearing Aids

In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the establishment of a new category for over-the-counter hearing aids to give Americans a greater number of affordable hearing aid options.5 They will be available to purchase in stores and online by mid-October.

The FDAs final rule specifies that OTC hearing aids are only appropriate for people over the age of 18 with mild to moderate hearing loss.6 In addition, they will be regulated separately from prescription hearing aids. You can see the differences between the two types in Table 1.

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Where To Get Hearing Aids: Wholesale Retailers

For cheaper alternatives, there are wholesale retailers that sell hearing aids. Places like Costco, Sams Club, and Walmart offer few options of hearing aids, but the lack of variety can lead customers to purchase a pair of hearing aids that are not the best for their needs.

If youre searching for something you want to last for a long time, you understand how important it can be to get it right the first time around. Having a wider selection can make the process of shopping for a hearing aid much easier.

With wholesalers, customers usually cannot try on every pair to explore fit, so they may settle for the cheapest option. Since these types of stores sell thousands of products, hearing aids may not be a top priority, and customer service workers may not be able to answer specific questions.

Finding a Hearing Aid Thats Right for You

This can, unfortunately, lead to a less-than-stellar in-store experience. If you have the option, we encourage everyone to talk to people who are specialists in the products and really understand hearing before making a purchase.

If youve read this far, youve probably already gathered that its important to consider your own priorities, like whether you value convenience, price, expertise, product options , when deciding where to shop.

Getting Help when Purchasing Hearing Aids

Does Medicare Pay For Hearing Aids

If your doctor orders a hearing exam to determine whether you have hearing loss, the exam will be covered by Medicare Part B. This hearing test will help you figure out whether you need a hearing aid. However, neither Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B will cover the cost of your hearing aids. Original Medicare also doesnt provide coverage for routine hearing tests, fittings, or adjustments.

Although Medicare Part D doesnt cover the cost of hearing aids, some Medicare Advantage plans do provide partial coverage. If youre not familiar with Medicare Advantage plans, these are alternate ways of receiving Medicare coverage through private insurance companies, in place of Medicare Part A and B.

While Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional services, such as vision, dental, or hearing coverage, you might be restricted to a local coverage area. Its important to understand what the Medicare Advantage plans cover and dont cover before you make a decision during the Medicare open enrollment period.

For more help navigating Medicare, see the Medicare Guidance section of NCOAs Age Well Planner. With in-depth information on Medicare basics, coverage, costs, and more, its a great resource for getting the most benefits out of your Medicare plan.

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Does Costco Use Audiologists

The employees at the Costco Hearing Aid Centers are not all licensed and trained audiologists. However, some hearing centers do employ audiologists as part of their staff. If you need to see an audiologist, you should call ahead to verify that there will be an audiologist on staff on the day of your visit.

Are Hearing Aids Available Over The Counter

Yes. In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults. These hearing aids will be available without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist or other hearing professional.

This improved access to hearing aids will be effective in October 2022 and is expected to reduce costs. The cost of a pair of hearing aids could drop to less than $1,000.

According to the FDA, the OTC category applies to certain air-conduction hearing aids intended for adults who have perceived mild or moderate hearing impairment. Hearing aids that do not meet this definition such as those for children or for people with severe hearing impairment remain prescription devices. Personal sound amplification devices , which will be discussed later, are OTC devices for people with normal hearing and are not classified as hearing aids.

The new FDA updates are intended to increase access and affordability by:

• Removing the barrier of high costs for hearing aids

• Offering an alternative, as original Medicare does not cover hearing aids

• Unbundling the cost from professional services, fitting, adjustment, or maintenance

• Reducing the time it takes to obtain a hearing aid

• Offers better access to people who cannot or do not shop online

• Increasing the value of value of hearing aids

Hearing aid manufacturers will have 8 months to comply with new or revised rules. Prices are expected to drop by spring 2023.

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