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Can You Afford Hearing Aids?
In today's economy, people are saying, “I cannot afford hearing aids.” My question to you is, “How can you not afford better hearing”? Hearing aids come in a variety of styles and price ranges, with one to fit almost every budget.
The more you pay for a hearing aid, the more sophisticated the hearing aid. Premium hearing aids are like little computers for your ears. They are designed to keep speech above noise with special speech clarity circuitry. When you are in a quiet setting, the hearing aids set themselves for that environment. When you are in a noisy situation, the hearing aids change at rates up to a million times per second for better hearing in those situations. Hearing in church or in a large auditorium can be programmed into the hearing aids.
As the price goes down, so does the automation of the hearing aid. Advanced hearing aids are also very good in noisy situations. Standard and basic hearing aids are still digital and programmable, but they have fewer options for changing in difficulty listening situations. Some hearing aids can be linked to your cell phone, iPod and television.
More and more insurance companies are providing a hearing aid benefit to adults. Maryland state law requires that insurers provide hearing aid coverage for a minor child if the hearing aids are prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist. Coverage may be limited to $1,400 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 36 months. If the insured chooses a more expensive hearing aid he/she will have to pay the difference. Some insurance companies, beginning in January 2009, are providing similar coverage for adults. However, each plan is different and the $14,00 per ear is not a guaranteed amount of coverage.
Some insurance plans, including AARP, have a hearing aid discount plan. The insurance company does not pay for the hearing aid. The dispenser agrees to a discounted price for the hearing aids and services. Once the discount plan is activated through the insurance company, the patient is obligated to go to specified dispensers for services. Some of the dispensers are hearing aid dealers and not audiologists.
Hearing aids are also tax deductible as a medical expense. Even the batteries are deductible on your federal tax return.
Cost should not be a deterrent to better hearing. A hearing evaluation to determine degree and cause of hearing loss are almost always covered by insurance. This is the first step to better hearing. Contact an audiologist today for a complete hearing evaluation.
