| Hearing aids are among the largest personal | | | | behind the ear or deep inside the ear canal. Digital |
| expenditures some people ever make. They are also | | | | devices have a wider range of options and can be |
| one of the most life changing devices the | | | | more finely tuned for individual needs than their analog |
| hard-of-hearing can own. | | | | predecessors. They are the preferred choice for most |
| As costly as a diamond ring, yet so inconspicuous | | | | hard-of-hearing consumers. |
| friends and relatives seldom notice they are being | | | | Hearing Aid Shopping TipsLearn all about hearing aids |
| worn, it is often difficult to spend thousands of dollars | | | | before buying one. There are dozens of hearing |
| for something as tiny and unnoticeable as a hearing | | | | devices to analyze and many decisions to make |
| aid. The hard-of-hearing are known for delaying the | | | | before committing to the expenditure. |
| purchase until everyone around them insists they must | | | | Take time to make a decision. Pick up brochures |
| wait no longer. For some the delay results from a | | | | when visiting dealers so comparisons can be made |
| denial of need, for others it is strictly a matter of | | | | later without the pressure or influence of any particular |
| dollars. | | | | salesperson or vendor.Ask about both manufacturers |
| Determine Need for Hearing AidThe first step to | | | | and dealer warranties. Warranties vary widely |
| better hearing is getting a professional hearing | | | | between manufacturers and between models from |
| evaluation. This is a simple, painless procedure that | | | | the same manufacturer. The independent dealer may |
| targets the type and degree of hearing loss. As many | | | | or may not offer a separate "house" warranty.Ask if |
| hard-of-hearing people can testify, one ear might have | | | | the dealer repairs hearing aids or sends them in to the |
| a more severe loss than the other, or hear certain | | | | manufacturer for repair. A broken hearing aid that |
| sounds better or less. | | | | must be sent to the manufacturer for repair could |
| Today's high-tech computerized hearing evaluations | | | | leave the wearer without a hearing device for |
| analyze each ear separately and the patient walks | | | | weeks.Select a hearing device that can be upgraded |
| away from the doctor or audiologists office with a | | | | to accommodate declining hearing. If the hearing aid is |
| detailed prescription in hand. They are then ready to | | | | not upgradeable the wearer may have to buy a |
| shop for a hearing aid for one ear, or a pair, depending | | | | replacement in a few years.Check to see if insurance |
| upon their need. | | | | pays an annual amount for hearing aids. If so, the |
| Get Hearing Device Price QuotesAs with any major | | | | person needing two devices might get them in |
| purchase, it is wise to get quotes from at least three | | | | different calendar years to maximize the insurance |
| sellers before actually buying a hearing aid. Ask each | | | | pay-out.Get two hearing aids if the hearing evaluation |
| vendor questions and learn all the features of different | | | | indicates the need for two. The person with hearing |
| brands and models just as you would when making | | | | loss in both ears experiences disorientation and the |
| any other major purchase. There are significant | | | | inability to determine where sounds are coming from |
| differences in cost between brands and identical | | | | when wearing only one hearing aid.Determining hearing |
| hearing aids may vary in price depending upon where | | | | aid telephone compatibility is important to the individual |
| they are purchased. | | | | making daily use of the telephone for work or personal |
| Few insurance policies cover the total cost of hearing | | | | use.Some high-end hearing aids come with remote |
| aids and Medicare doesn't cover them at all. | | | | controls. Explore the benefits and downsides of using |
| Depending upon the degree of hearing loss and | | | | a remote. They are not for everyone.eeking Help; |
| whether one or both ears need a hearing aid, the | | | | When and WhyThe inability to hear well isolates the |
| hearing impaired consumer might spend several | | | | afflicted individual. Family, friends and co-workers, |
| thousand dollars to re-enter the world of sound. | | | | weary of raising their voices or repeating every |
| Learning which devices fulfill individual prescription | | | | sentence eventually tend to shut the hard of hearing |
| requirements and where they can be purchased most | | | | out of conversations. Employers, not knowing their |
| economically is time well spent. | | | | instructions were not heard or understood may |
| Choosing the Right Hearing AidThere are two basic | | | | penalize, demote or even fire a hard of hearing |
| types of hearing aids, analog and the newer, high-tech | | | | employee. The afflicted person may begin to feel of |
| digital devices. Minimal loss can often be corrected with | | | | little value to their family, at their workplace or in |
| one of the analog models. Sitting in the outer ear, they | | | | society as a whole and become ever more isolated. |
| are a more visible, but less expensive device and are | | | | Since hearing loss usually occurs over time, most |
| often chosen for a first hearing aid. Correction of | | | | people experiencing it gradually become accustomed |
| moderate to severe hearing loss usually requires the | | | | to the lack of life's background noises and may feel |
| higher quality of digital instruments. Choices among | | | | others simply aren't speaking loudly or clearly. Sadly, |
| digital hearing aids include the traditional outer ear style | | | | years, sometimes decades, of hearing loss may occur |
| plus dozens of more discreet instruments that sit | | | | before help is sought. |