Common Questions: Hearing Aids

Are digital hearing aids more expensive than analog?

According to statistics from Hearing Industries Association, more than 90% of all hearing instruments sold in the United States are digital. Digital no longer means more…

Are hearing aids covered by insurance or Medicare?

Medicare does not currently cover hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage Plans, health plan options that are available through Medicare, may have hearing aid coverage.
To…

Can hearing aids help me earn more money at work?

Yes! A study released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) in 1999 found that treating a hearing loss was found to have a very significant positive impact on quality of life….

Can I re-use someone else's hearing aids?

Hearing aids are customized for an individual wearer based on hearing thresholds, listening needs and other factors that a hearing health care professional will consider. If the…

Can I try hearing aids before I purchase them?

Styles requiring a custom fit or a custom earmold can’t be effectively demonstrated without having them manufactured based on an impression of your ear. Additionally, since new…

Can I wear invisible hearing aids?

The shape and degree of your hearing loss will determine which styles may work best for you, with smaller models generally suited for less significant losses and larger styles…

Do hearing aids make things sound clearer or just louder?

Hearing aids can do both. However, everyone’s hearing loss is different, not all hearing aids perform equally, and not everyone will receive the same benefit. No hearing aid will…

Do I need hearing aids?

All first time hearing aid wearers have asked themselves this very question.
If you’re not sure whether you need hearing aids, the first step is to obtain objective data -...

Do I really need two hearing aids? Can I get by with just one?

The question of binaural (two ears) amplification comes up in just about every hearing aid and audiology office in the world – every day! It’s an excellent question.

How do hearing aids affect the enjoyment of music?

For many people, hearing loss leads to a decreased enjoyment of music. Hearing loss may act like a filter, filtering out certain tones or instruments more than others, and making…

How do you care for hearing aids? Is there a lot of maintenance involved?

Hearing aids are simple to care for. Most hearing aid repairs are due to moisture and earwax accumulating in the hearing aid. The vast majority of these repairs are preventable….

How long do hearing aids last?

Hearing aids typically last three to five years, although in many cases hearing aids last much longer. The miniature components in hearing aids tend to wear out over time, and…

How often do I need to change the batteries in my hearing aids?

Hearing aid batteries come in different sizes, with smaller batteries generally having a shorter life than larger ones. The amount of power required to run your hearing aid and…

I have difficulty hearing on the telephone. Will hearing aids help?

Yes! For some people, select hearing aid models like CIC or open fit BTE instruments require no special features or adaptations for using the telephone. With other models, a…

I have trouble hearing in background noise. Will hearing aids help?

First, we must determine what the person considers ‘‘noise.’‘ For some people it’s the refrigerator, for others it’s traffic, for some it’s new environmental sounds, and for many…

I was told hearing aids won't help my hearing loss. Is that true?

Hearing aids are recommended for most cases of sensorineural hearing loss, and for many conductive hearing losses that cannot be medically treated. In addition, hearing aid…

I was told hearing aids would improve my sex life. Tell me more.

The National Council on Aging released a study in 1999 on 2,300 individuals with hearing loss who were over the age of 50. This study looked both at people with untreated hearing…

If I don't treat hearing loss, or if I only get one hearing aid when two are recommended, will my hearing loss get worse?

The National Council on Aging released a study in 1999 on 2,300 individuals with hearing loss who were over the age of 50. The overall results were “... those with untreated…

Sexy Hearing Aids

Eyeglasses are so fashionable today, available in all the latest trends and fun colors. Is there such a thing as sexy hearing aids? I am looking for hearing aids that fit my personality and make a fashion statement.

Should I wear my hearing aids all day?

Successful hearing aid wearers tend to wear their hearing aids for all waking hours. Once you’re used to hearing sounds again, you’ll probably find you don’t want to be without your hearing aids; however, there are certain situations you should take them off.

What happens if I lose my hearing aids?

New hearing aids typically come with one-year comprehensive loss, damage and repair warranty directly from the manufacturer. Providers will sometimes offer a 2-year or 3-year…

What if hearing aids don't work for me?

Today, most hearing aids have thousands of possible adjustments to help customize them to the satisfaction of each wearer. If you’re not happy with the way they fit or sound when…

What is the difference between analog and digital hearing aids?

The latest statistics indicate that more than 90% of all hearing instruments sold in the United States are digital. Digital refers to the way the hearing aid processes signals. A…

What kind of warranty do hearing aids have?

New hearing aids typically come with one-year comprehensive loss, damage and repair warranty directly from the manufacturer. Providers will sometimes offer a 2-year or 3-year…

What's the latest hearing aid technology?

Today, hearing aids are smaller, more comfortable, and most importantly – more effective – than ever before, which explains why satisfaction with new hearing aids is at an…

Where should I buy hearing aids? Are discount hearing aids as good as expensive ones?

Hearing aids should be fit by a licensed professional – an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist – after a comprehensive hearing evaluation. In addition, the FDA has…

Will hearing aids make me look old?

There’s a saying that hearing loss is more noticeable than hearing aids, and that is true now more than ever given the discreet, cosmetically appealing hearing aid models…

Will I get dependent on hearing aids?

Successful hearing aid wearers tend to wear their hearing aids for all waking hours. Once you’re used to hearing sounds again, you’ll probably find you don’t want to be without…

Will my hearing aids whistle?

The technical term for whistling that can occur with hearing aids is acoustic feedback. Acoustic feedback in hearing aids occurs when amplified sound exiting the hearing aid from…