‹ Audiology Knowledge Center

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a hearing aid cost?

Hearing aids can be quite expensive, but most people choose digital hearing aids that will cost between $4,000 and $6,000 for a pair. However, there are devices that cost as little as $1000 each.

Aren’t the prices better at the National Chains?

We offer competitive pricing and outstanding service. Don’t be fooled by ridiculously low pricing offered in newspaper ads or on the internet. For a variety reasons, these devices rarely work for the average patient.

What is the cost of battery and how often will I need to replace them?

You should expect to replace the battery about 7 to 10 days at a cost of about $1.00.

What if after the sale I decide that I don’t want the hearing aid?

Florida state law requires that any hearing device dispenser must refund your money upon request within 30 days. However, they may require a restocking fee. At Accent we make every effort to help you make the right decision before you make a final commitment. Many times we are able to offer demo units and so you can try out the hearing aid in real life before buying it.

What about feedback?

Most hearing aids, including entry level aids, have adaptive feedback systems which limit unwanted “whistling” or “squealing” from the hearing aids.

Will my hearing aid stand out? Aren’t all hearing aids big and bulky?

No! The majority of new hearing aids today are very cosmetically appealing. They are smaller and sleeker. Some are about as small as a dime.

Won’t hearing aids amplify everything?

This is true of the old analog hearing aids, but they are a thing of the past. Currently hearing aids are digital and most have directional algorithms that reduce background noise, boosting a person’s ability to hear conversation in noisy environments (i.e. parties, restaurants, etc…)

Why are hearing aids so expensive?

A premium hearing aid is a miniature computer with an advanced sound system. It is like combining a laptop and a home stereo unit into one tiny package that sits on the ear.

How do I know which hearing aid is right for me?

Your audiologist will work carefully with you to determine the best product based on your hearing needs, physical limitations, and overall lifestyle (ranging from demanding work listening environments to quiet home life environments).

I have been told by my family that I have a hearing problem, how do I go about getting tested?

First, have your hearing examination performed by a trained professional at an audiology center. This will help determine the nature and level of your hearing loss and rule out any conditions that might require medical attention. Once it is determined that medical attention is not needed to help your condition and you have been cleared by the physician treating your ear symptoms, you can be successfully treated with hearing aids and/or assistive listening technologies.

What is a hearing aid?

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. The benefits of using a hearing aid or aids are dependent on many factors such as the nature and type of hearing loss, age of the patient, motivation, physical and mental constraints etc.

A hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, processor-amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to a processor-amplifier. The processor-amplifier converts the electrical signal into a digital signal before amplifying it and reducing bothersome background noises. This louder clarified signal is then sent to the ear through a speaker.

Do all hearing aids work the same way?

Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The two main types of electronics are analog and digital. Analog hearing aids are being phased out and most hearing aid technologies are digital in nature.

Analog aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified. Analog/adjustable hearing aids are custom built to meet the needs of each user. The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the specifications recommended by your audiologist. Analog/programmable hearing aids have more than one program or setting. An audiologist can program the aid using a computer, and the user can change the program for different listening environments—from a small, quiet room to a crowded restaurant to large, open areas, such as a theater or stadium. Analog/programmable circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids.

Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. Because the code also includes information about a sound’s pitch or loudness, the aid can be specially programmed to amplify some frequencies more than others. Digital circuitry gives an audiologist more flexibility in adjusting the aid to a user’s needs and to certain listening environments. These aids also can be programmed to focus on sounds coming from a specific direction. Digital circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids.

Are there different styles of hearing aids?

There are three basic styles of hearing aids. The styles differ by size, their placement on or inside the ear, and the degree to which they amplify sound.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss. 

A new kind of BTE aid is an open-fit hearing aid. Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid, particularly those who have normal/near normal hearing for low pitch sounds, because their perception of their voice does not sound “plugged up.”

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic.

Canal/Completely in the Canal aids fit into the ear canal and are available in two styles. The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is made to fit the size and shape of a person’s ear canal. A completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is nearly hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Because canal aids are small, they may be difficult for a person to adjust and remove. In addition, canal aids have less space available for batteries and additional devices, such as a telecoil. They usually are not recommended for young children or for people with severe to profound hearing loss because their reduced size limits their power and volume.

What is a telecoil?

A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone.  This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. ITE aids usually are not worn by young children because the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows.

Which hearing aid will work best for me?

The hearing aid that will work best for you depends on the kind and severity of your hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two hearing aids are generally recommended because two aids provide a more natural signal to the brain. Hearing in both ears also will help you understand speech and locate where the sound is coming from.

You and your audiologist should select a hearing aid that best suits your needs, lifestyle and budget. Price is also a key consideration because hearing aids range from hundreds to several thousand dollars. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost. However, don’t use price alone to determine the best hearing aid for you. Just because one hearing aid is more expensive than another does not necessarily mean that it will better suit your needs.

A hearing aid will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a hearing aid will increase your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your hearing aid regularly, so select one that is convenient and easy for you to use. Other features to consider include parts or services covered by the warranty, estimated schedule and costs for maintenance and repair, options and upgrade opportunities, and the hearing aid company’s reputation for quality and customer service.

How can I adjust to my hearing aid?

Hearing aids take time and patience to use successfully. Wearing your aids regularly will help you adjust to them.

Become familiar with your hearing aid’s features. With your audiologist present, practice putting in and taking out the aid, cleaning it, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries. Ask how to test it in listening environments where you have problems with hearing. Learn to adjust the aid’s volume and to program it for sounds that are too loud or too soft. Work with your audiologist until you are comfortable and satisfied.

You may experience some of the following problems as you adjust to wearing your new aid.

• My hearing aid feels uncomfortable. Some individuals may find a hearing aid to be slightly uncomfortable at first. Ask your audiologist how long you should wear your hearing aid while you are adjusting to it.
• My voice sounds too loud. The “plugged-up” sensation that causes a hearing aid user’s voice to sound louder inside the head is called the occlusion effect, and it is very common for new hearing aid users. Check with your audiologist to see if a correction is possible. Most individuals get used to this effect over time.
• I get feedback from my hearing aid. A whistling sound can be caused by a hearing aid that does not fit or work well or is clogged by earwax or fluid. See your audiologist for adjustments.
• I hear background noise. A hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear. Sometimes, however, the hearing aid may need to be adjusted. Talk with your audiologist.
• I hear a buzzing sound when I use my cell phone. Some people who wear hearing aids or have implanted hearing devices experience problems with the radio frequency interference caused by digital cell phones. Both hearing aids and cell phones are improving, however, so these problems are occurring less often. When you are being fitted for a new hearing aid, take your cell phone with you to see if it will work well with the aid.

Questions for the Doctor

• What features would be most useful to me?
• What is the total cost of the hearing aid? Do the benefits of newer technologies outweigh the higher costs?
• Is there a trial period to test the hearing aids? (In the State of Florida, a 30 Day trial period is mandatory by state laws. Most manufacturers allow a 30- to 60-day trial period during which aids can be returned for a refund, with a nominal re-stocking fees.
• What fees are nonrefundable if the aids are returned after the trial period?
• How long is the warranty? Can it be extended? Does the warranty cover future maintenance and repairs?
• Can the audiologist make adjustments and provide servicing and minor repairs? Will loaner aids be provided when repairs are needed?
• Can the hearing aids be adjusted if my hearing loss progresses?
• What would be the size of the battery for my hearing aids?
• How often do I have to replace them and how much do they cost?
• Is there any maintenance plan on the hearing aids, which I can get?
• What instruction does the audiologist provide, especially with respect to care and maintenance?

 

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