Two of the biggest misconceptions about hearing aids is that they are all the same and that you should search for the best bargain you can find. These misconceptions are dangerous because they can guide you to devices that are cheaply made and can be less effective.
Even with a smaller budget, you can still afford reliable hearing aids—it is possible! Rather than letting misinformation discourage you, take the advice of a professional. My name is Elizabeth Schwab and I have my doctorate in audiology. Here are my tips for saving money on hearing aids.
1. Buy from a Trusted Source
Many patients have come to my office disappointed by a device they purchased from a large retailer or from a discounted service their insurance provided. Many times, patients do not familiarize themselves with the seller, and this leads them to trust products that may not be best for them.
For you to have success with your purchase, first learn about the company and the people who will be fitting you. At Schwab Audiology, we always counsel patients about their hearing loss and whether hearing aids would benefit them.
You want to work with an audiologist that you and others trust—one who will focus on your needs rather than on making a sale. The last thing I want for you or your loved one is to purchase a hearing aid that is a waste of money.
“Don’t buy off the TV or the internet,” says Laurel Christensen, chief audiology officer at GN Hearing, a hearing aid manufacturer. “This is a health issue, and you do need to see a professional.”
2. Maximize Your Benefits
You wouldn’t believe how many people have hearing aid benefits and don’t know about them. The amount of hearing aid benefits that go unused each year is monumental. As with most benefits, hearing aid insurance benefits don’t roll over even though you’ve paid the premiums on your insurance all year long. If you don’t use them by the end of the calendar year, they expire.
At Schwab Audiology, we have a dedicated team of experts who will help you know and understand your benefits. Just give us a call!
3. Use HSA, FSA, and Financing Options
Not all insurance plans or providers offer hearing aid insurance, but if you have any HSA or FSA dollars set aside, we can help you use them efficiently. At Schwab Audiology, we also offer interest-free financing.
These options can save you some serious money since traditional loans or credit cards charge a high-interest rate!
4. Actively Care for Your Ears
Any audiologist will tell you that the best way to save money on hearing aids is to stay vigilant about your hearing health. Many people have noise-induced hearing loss and do not realize it because it develops slowly over time. Many of my patients’ hearing loss began at a frequency where they could still hear some speech sounds. Because of this, they might not have had difficulty understanding conversations at first. However, as exposure to noise continued over the years, their hearing worsened, severely lessening their ability to understand speech.
Your yearly hearing evaluation is almost always covered by health insurance. The cost of a comprehensive hearing exam only costs $128. These tests may help us to catch hearing problems early. Even if you do not have hearing loss, obtaining a hearing evaluation can still benefit you because it gives you the opportunity to discuss hearing protection and your likelihood of needing hearing aids in the future, especially if you are a borderline hearing aid candidate.
Is it time for your next hearing test? Call us at 605-725-4455 to set up an appointment. I can’t wait to meet you!
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/save-money-on-hearing-aids.html
