Hearing Aid Help

[SandyinMonterey]

My Mother finally admitted she needs a hearing aid. But she says it's not covered by her insurance. She has Medicare and her supplemental like you're supposed to. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Earstou]

If she lives near a Costco, they are a big provider of hearing aides. Dh and I both have hearing aides from Costco. My original aides were from an audiologist and cost twice as much as my Costco ones.
I will note that the Costco people are not audiologists, but are trained and certified hearing aide technicians.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

If she lives near a Costco, they are a big provider of hearing aides. Dh and I both have hearing aides from Costco. My original aides were from an audiologist and cost twice as much as my Costco ones.
I will note that the Costco people are not audiologists, but are trained and certified hearing aide technicians.

A Doctor of Audiology has a doctorate level of education and training, and therefore is no where near equivalent to a technician. You would never trust someone at Costco to fit you with a cast for a broken bone. Why would trust your hearing to them?

To the OP: The first step is to schedule an appointment with an ENT to discuss hearing loss. They'll find the root cause and make recommendations. If your mother can benefit from hearing technology, they'll help you schedule an appointment with an Audiologist to discuss. Just know you're making an investment in her health and well being. Recent studies have linked hearing loss with cognitive decline. It is ideal to start now. The average person with hearing loss waits 9 years before getting help. Don't let that be your mom.

 

[wendow]

My dh has hearing loss due to an accident. After many years of me trying to convince him that he needed to get hearing aids, he finally did so about two years ago. We bought them at Costco and they have been life changing for him! The cost was so much more reasonable than any of the audiology places he had been to before (which were all about 3x as much and we also have no insurance coverage for hearing aids). I'd recommend Costco in a heartbeat.

 

[tinka-belle]

While still very expensive, mom saved several hundred dollars with an AARP membership I gifted her last year. It's accepted at one or two major audiology chains, I think Hear USA was the one she went to. She needs a real audiologist, it's not just an age related problem but did get worse as she got older. Her old hearing aid was beyond adjustment and plain wearing out, she likes the new digital one she got and with AARP they offered (if I remember correctly) a year's worth of fresh batteries she can pick up anytime.


She does have Medicare and supplemental insurance, but they are not covered at all.

 

[GaryDis]

A Doctor of Audiology has a doctorate level of education and training, and therefore is no where near equivalent to a technician. You would never trust someone at Costco to fit you with a cast for a broken bone. Why would trust your hearing to them?

To the OP: The first step is to schedule an appointment with an ENT to discuss hearing loss. They'll find the root cause and make recommendations. If your mother can benefit from hearing technology, they'll help you schedule an appointment with an Audiologist to discuss. Just know you're making an investment in her health and well being. Recent studies have linked hearing loss with cognitive decline. It is ideal to start now. The average person with hearing loss waits 9 years before getting help. Don't let that be your mom.

In Massachusetts, audiologists only need a Master's degree to be licensed. But they also license hearing aid technicians.

Isn't it analogous to eye glasses? You go to optometrist for vision correction, an ophthalmologist for diseases, but an optician for actual fitting of glasses. Sure, the relevant ear anatomy is bit trickier than for eye glasses, but the fitting of hearing aids is a separate task from the diagnosis of hearing problems.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

In Massachusetts, audiologists only need a Master's degree to be licensed. But they also license hearing aid t chnicians.

Isn't it analogous to eye glasses? You go to optometrist for vision correction, an ophthalmologist for diseases, but an optician for actual fitting of glasses. Sure, the relevant ear anatomy is bit trickier than for eye glasses, but the fitting of hearing aids is a separate task from the diagnosis of hearing problems.

There indeed are very good hearing instrument specialists, who do what they do for the right reasons. But there are also many who are in the business to sell hearing aids. You should want to work with someone who wants to help you on your journey to better hearing, where a hearing aid is just one of the tools used to get you there. I hope you can see the difference?
I've seen so many patients who purchase hearing instruments, and don't get the right follow up care, and then those hearing devices end up in a drawer. That patient isn't getting the help they need. Yes, they were cheaper, but at the end of the day, they aren't doing any good.
Hearing is so vital to your health, I just want the best for everyone!

 

[Earstou]

There indeed are very good hearing instrument specialists, who do what they do for the right reasons. But there are also many who are in the business to sell hearing aids. You should want to work with someone who wants to help you on your journey to better hearing, where a hearing aid is just one of the tools used to get you there. I hope you can see the difference?
I've seen so many patients who purchase hearing instruments, and don't get the right follow up care, and then those hearing devices end up in a drawer. That patient isn't getting the help they need. Yes, they were cheaper, but at the end of the day, they aren't doing any good.
Hearing is so vital to your health, I just want the best for everyone!

My dh went to an audiologist, and his hearing aide ended up in a drawer!

He has had excellent care at Costco, which is why they are now the number one provider of hearing aides.
They must be doing something right!!!

 

[amyy]

A university clinic as they usually aren't in the business of making a large profit.

 

[Legendteri]

I got mine at costco as well. They cost $1799 and I had a $1750 voucher so mine were only $50.

I am pretty happy with them.

I say make an appointment at costco for her, get tested and let her try on a pair. She can always say " no" if they don't work for her.

 

[wendow]

Our neighborhood and surrounding area has an online group called "Nextdoor". I think this is all over the US. Anyways, recently, a neighbor asked about hearing aids. About 15-20 responded to him and of those people, about half had bought theirs at Costco. Not a single disgruntled customer in the group. The others who responded had bought hearing aids from other places and were also pleased. The only person who posted to attack Costco and discourage the guy from going there was someone who said they were an audiologist. I get that Costco has hurt their business and I feel bad for them that apparently their hands are tied...can't discount the hearing aids they do sell to compete with Costco and most people have no insurance coverage...So, people are looking for the best deal. Can't fault them! My dh would not have the life changing hearing aids he has were it not for Costco. He paid $2200 instead of the over $7k quotes he got from several audiologists.

I agree that Costco is doing something right!

 

[Lightcycler]

@Earstou Why did the audiologist aids end up in the drawer? What made the Costco ones better? Was it comfort? function? quality of hearing?

I've been pretty happy with the ones a physician-attached audiologist sold me, but it's time for a new pair. An independent audiologist wanted to charge at least 50% more for the same brand and model. His place was pseudo-science-y with low-end testing equipment; he had no anechoic chamber (a sound-deadening quiet room). I have no illusions about Costco being anything other than a retailer, so if I buy there I'd set my expectations accordingly lower. But maybe I don't need more.

(BTW, @wendow, nearly no insurance plans cover hearings aids.)

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Some insurance carriers DO have coverage for hearing technology. United Healthcare, for example, has made some strides in this area; but it is plan specific. DO always call your insurance carrier or speak with your HR department. Medicare does not cover hearing instruments.

 

[wendow]

(BTW, @wendow, nearly no insurance plans cover hearings aids.)

Right, that is why I said 'most' don't have hearing aid coverage. It's sad really, and I just don't get why these devices aren't covered.

 

[wendow]

Some insurance carriers DO have coverage for hearing technology. United Healthcare, for example, has made some strides in this area; but it is plan specific. DO always call your insurance carrier or speak with your HR department. Medicare does not cover hearing instruments.

My dh did go to the HR dept when he first decided to get hearing aids. The HR lady herself has them and told my dh that we have no coverage for them but that wasn't even an add-on policy they could do for them.

 

[GaryDis]

Right, that is why I said 'most' don't have hearing aid coverage. It's sad really, and I just don't get why these devices aren't covered.

They're not covered because very few people would buy such a policy unless they knew they had a significant risk. It's not like a disease that can attack without warning, or an accident. Nor is the cost catastrophic, like a $100,000 hospital bill. While it is possible to have unexpected hearing loss, if ninety percent of the people signing up for insurance will need hearing aids on a predictable schedule, then they can't make money treating it as insurance.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

It shouldn't be about an insurance company making money though. It should be about the health of their members. Studies are showing that hearing loss is linked with cognitive decline and memory loss. It is believed that essentially, when you have to concentrate so hard on hearing, you can't process as well in other areas. Here is a good example: When you drive in a snow storm, many of us immediately turn our radios off, so that we can concentrate solely on driving. That shows how closely hearing and cognitive processing are linked.

On average, folks wait about 9 years before getting help for their hearing loss. Imagine how much cognitive decline and loss of word recognition can occur in that time. For anyone postponing treatment, I encourage you to think of your hearing as an integral component of your overall health.

 

[wendow]

They're not covered because very few people would buy such a policy unless they knew they had a significant risk. It's not like a disease that can attack without warning, or an accident. Nor is the cost catastrophic, like a $100,000 hospital bill. While it is possible to have unexpected hearing loss, if ninety percent of the people signing up for insurance will need hearing aids on a predictable schedule, then they can't make money treating it as insurance.

My dh's was due to an accident yet there was no insurance coverage. He has had hearing aids for 2 years now and is only 42yo. Needed them years before.

 

[Monykalyn]

Check into Sertoma if need help with cost of covering hearing aids. Sertoma (SErvice TO MAnkind) national mission is hearing health. Can't help everyone but it is one more possible resource. Kansas City is national HQ and Sertoma is generally bigger in the midwest. I know our club helps with HA expenses at a university audiology clinic...

 

[tvguy]

My mom paid about $3,000 for her hearing aids from a hearing aid center. She shopped around and what sold her on the hearing aid center was they guaranteed the hearing aids for life (except for damage from accidents and abuse). At the time, no other hearing aid provider, including Costco offered that kind of warranty. And every few years she had to have repairs done, and she wore the hearing aids for 20 years so it was a wise financial choice.