NIDCD reports that out of the 27 million people in the United States who would benefit from using a hearing aid, only 6 million actually own one. It is estimated that a large percentage of these people don’t own a hearing aid due to their perceived high cost, and most have probably never even been tested for hearing loss for fear that the testing process is very expensive. For this reason, it’s important that you understand how your insurance can help you make the most of your treatment. Your insurance benefits could include the cost of your hearing testing and may even extend as far as covering the cost of the hearing aids themselves.
Hearing Aids and Insurance
If you’ve decided to invest in a hearing aid, it’s important to discuss finances. Insurance can be a game-changing factor in getting you the hearing aid you need. Some insurance plans cover hearing tests, exams, and even discounts on the hearing aids themselves. Most Medicare Part C plans have benefits related to hearing aids and their exams.
Medicare plans, as well as private health insurance providers can help you get connected with the right doctors and treatment that will get you on track towards improving the health of your hearing. While government assistance for hearing loss is sometimes limited, in some states Medicaid can grant assistance with payment for testing and appointments, as well as the aids themselves
Are All Hearing Aids Created Equal?
While both cheap and expensive hearing aids offer a solution, higher quality hearing aids will come equipped with more advanced technology and perform better in noisy environments, as opposed to their less expensive counterparts.
Higher end hearing aids are usually equipped with these features:
- Impulse noise reduction: Filters and softens loud and abrupt noises that would otherwise startle the listener or even hurt their ears.
- Digital noise reduction: A system that detects whether incoming sounds are speech-like or noise-like and makes adjustments accordingly.
- Directional microphone system: A directional microphone system uses a series of microphones within the hearing aid to pinpoint the direction that certain sounds are coming from. This allows the user to focus on more important sounds that they’d like to hear.
All of these features are beneficial to experiencing the world around you in the best possible hearing quality.
If you’re concerned about the costs of a hearing aid or the process involved in getting one, don’t worry. Your insurance plan may already include coverage for the cost of hearing aids and the associated treatment. Let the experts at New Generation Hearing Centers help you navigate your options and find the solutions that works best for you.
