Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss

If you or someone you know can answer yes to any of the following questions, there may be hearing loss:

• Do you raise the volume on the television or radio louder than others prefer?
• Do you have difficulty hearing in a noisy atmosphere?
• Do you have trouble understanding people from another room or when facial cues are not available?
• Do you find that speech sounds are muffled or complain that people mumble?
• Do you find that people complain your hearing is a problem?
• Do you have ringing in the ears?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions follow the next steps:

Request a Referral From Your Primary Care Physician
Talk to your physician about difficulties you have with your hearing. You may or may not be a hearing aid candidate, and your hearing problem may be medically treatable.

See an Audiologist for a Hearing Evaluation
An audiologist is a professional with a masters or doctorate degree trained in the evaluation, identification, and rehabilitation of hearing, and balance disorders related to the ear.

Seek Medical Clearance by an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat Physician)
An audiologist is trained to identify hearing problems that need to be evaluated and treated by a physician prior to obtaining hearing rehabilitation.

Schedule a Hearing Aid Evaluation With Your Audiologist
Once it has been determined that you can benefit from amplification, hearing review various hearing devices which are appropriate to your lifestyle, hearing loss, and budget. Although most insurance companies (including Medicare) do not cover the costs of hearing aids, some insurance companies will cover at least part of the costs. Check with your insurance carrier to see whether part or all of the hearing aids can be covered.

Purchase Your Hearing Devices on a Trial Basis
You should have 30 days to evaluate your hearing devices to ensure the fit and sound is comfortable. If you are not satisfied you should be able to either exchange these units for a different make and/or model, or return them for a refund. Most dispensing practices charge a trial fee. This means that if you do not keep your hearing aids, you should get the majority of your money back, provided you adhere to the terms of the trial period. Make sure you find out what the trial fee is before you invest so you know what the out-of-pocket cost will be if you return the hearing aids within the trial period.

Return for Routine Visits During the Trial Period
Using hearnig aids is a rehabilitative process. Most hearing aids are digital processors, which mean they have a computer chip that can tell the hearing aid what to do based on your hearing loss and your daily listening activities. Taking advantage of these visits should be at no charge during the trial period, and serve to ensure that the hearing aids are the right units for you.

Keep Proper Maintenance of Your Hearing Devices
Most hearing aids come with a standard one-year warranty against loss, damage, or repair. Some units have a standard two-year repair warranty. Most manufacturers provide additional warranty protection that can be purchased at an additional cost.