Hearing Aid & Audiology Q&A

Hearing aids can help improve quality of life for many of the 30 million Americans who have experienced some form of hearing loss. A hearing aid that has been properly adjusted to your exact specifications can allow you to hear your absolute best. Here are some of the most common questions and answers we’ve encountered in our experience providing hearing aid diagnostic services.

What can a hearing aid do?

Hearing aids:

• Make speech easier to understand
• Make sounds louder
• Help improve your quality of life by offering you the freedom to communicate more effectively
• Allow you the opportunity to participate more in life's activities

Hearing aids WILL NOT:

• Cure speech understanding loss
• Allow you to hear speech perfectly in background noise
• Permit you to selectively hear only what you want to hear
• Change sound distortion into clear sound

To view several of our hearing aid choices, click here. Back to Top

Do I really need two hearing aids?

The ability to localize sound requires the use of both ears. Binaural hearing (using 2 hearing aids) is necessary to understand sounds or speech in background noise. We also know that distance hearing dramatically increases with the use of two hearing aids. Back to Top

What are the most common hearing aid styles?

Generally, there are 4 basic styles of hearing aids: Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC) and Completely In the Canal (CIC). Of these basic styles, there are additional variations.

However, due to recent technological advances in Hearing Science, another style of hearing aid has evolved, the Open Ear style.

Your hearing healthcare specialist will help you assess which style of hearing device best suits your needs and lifestyle. For more information on the styles of hearing aids, click here. Back to Top

Do all hearing aids work the same way?

No. Most of the latest hearing aids on the market today use digital technology; however, some still use analog technology. Although analog instruments have provided ample amplification and benefit for the past 50 years, digital instruments have spawned a new era of improved sound quality.

Digital products allow your hearing care provider more freedom for fine-tuning each device for better sound quality than analog models. This exciting new technology also offers multiple memories for different listening situations, e.g., noise vs. quiet listening. Back to Top

How long does it take to have a hearing aid customized and...

You can leave our office with many of our solutions programmed for your needs the same day. However, some products may take longer.

To see a list of all the styles and sizes of hearing aids, click here. Back to Top

Do you have more than one brand of hearing aid?

At Avada, we feel it is important to offer many brands of hearing aids. This gives us the ability to offer the best product at the best price, based on YOUR hearing loss.

To see a list of some of the latest products available on the market, click here. Back to Top

How much do hearing aids cost?

The price for hearing aids differs with the types of circuitry, size, style and additional options. A consultation with a licensed hearing healthcare specialist is necessary to determine the appropriate product based on your hearing assessment results and lifestyle needs. Back to Top

Can I afford hearing aids?

At Avada, we have a number of affordable financing plans such as, "Same As Cash" options and extended payment plans for as little as $40 an ear per month for some products. We will recommend the best solution for a particular loss and explain several options.

To learn more about our financing options, click here. Back to Top

Are hearing aids covered by my insurance?

While more and more insurance companies cover the cost of hearing aids, some do not. We will contact your insurance provider to determine if you have coverage. We will be glad to file the necessary forms for reimbursement if you are covered. Here is a list of our insurance partners near you. Back to Top

Does Medicare/Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Traditional Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the cost of hearing aids. However, Medicare Plus Choice may provide limited benefits for hearing aids. Generally, each state has different requirements for coverage. For instance, many states reserve benefits for children under the age of 18. You may want to contact Medicare/Medicaid to determine your eligibility. Back to Top

What kind of warranty comes with hearing aids?

All of our products have a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty and most of our premium systems come with a standard two-year warranty. For added security, you may also purchase extended warranties. Be sure to ask your practitioner about our Avada Advantage Plus program. Back to Top

Can I try before I buy?

Of course! Our 30-day trial program assures patient satisfaction. Avada also has a 60-day free exchange program. If you decide to upgrade your instrument during the initial 60 days for a different size or style, we will give you credit for the full original purchase and charge you the difference. Ask your Avada Clinician for more details concerning these programs. Back to Top

What can I expect from my hearing aids?

It is very important to have realistic expectations regarding the effectiveness of hearing aids. hearing aids will not restore normal hearing. Instead, they will help improve your ability to communicate effectively. hearing aids are designed to make sounds louder, and thus, easier to hear. By re-introducing sounds, you will be able to re-connect with the world around you.

Your Avada hearing professional will explain what improvement you can expect from the various solutions available.

Those who opt for hearing aids experience better relationships with family and friends, higher self-esteem, improved mental health, and greater independence and security.

Imagine the Benefits:

• Understanding conversations (improving communication)
• Improved hearing ability
• Allowing you the opportunity to participate more in life's activities

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How should I care for and maintain my hearing aids?

Over 75 percent of all hearing aid repairs are due to moisture and earwax accumulation--which can be prevented. hearing aids are electronic and moisture will damage the internal circuitry. It is crucial that you clean your hearing aid every time it is removed from your ear. To better protect your investment, store your instruments in a NU-AID kit every night! If you aren’t satisfied with how well you hear with your current hearing aid, you should contact an Avada location near you--we can help. Schedule your free hearing screening and private consultation today! Back to Top