FAQs

What is the difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid specialist?

Both are licensed to dispense hearing aids, however there is a difference in the training required for each. Minimum educational requirements for hearing aid dispensers is a high school diploma or GED where an audiologist is required to have a masters or doctoral degree from a university.

Why do some people charge for a hearing test while others do not?

Free hearing tests are typically performed only to determine if the person can be sold a hearing aid and not Medicare recognized diagnostic tests. Audiological hearing evaluations include a battery of tests that can determine if there are any medical issues associated with the hearing loss. The more thorough the testing, the more optimal the solution will be.

How much do hearing aids cost?

The cost of aids can vary greatly depending on your hearing loss, your lifestyle and your insurance coverage. Your specific cost will vary based on these factors and can't be accurately determined until the audiologist has performed a hearing evaluation.

Developing new hearing aid technology is very time consuming and very expensive. This coupled with the fact that the number of aids sold is relatively small when compared to other complex electronic devices, such as cell phones, results in hearing aids being priced at the level they are.

Current hearing devices generally range from $1000-$3500 per ear. Sometimes, older technology is sold for less, but is often outdated and ineffective. To know for sure what they will cost, it is necessary to see an audiologist for a consultation.

Why is there such a wide range of hearing aid prices?

In general, more expensive hearing aids have technology that allows them to help the patient hear speech more easily in noisy or difficult environments.

More basic, less expensive aids do not have the technology that makes this possible. This technology is expensive to develop, so aids that have it will typically be more expensive.

The lifestyle of the patient will be considered in our recommendation. If they spend time in noisy places regularly then a mid-level or high-end hearing aid will meet their needs best. If they are in quiet environments the majority of the time, then a more basic aid may be sufficient for them.

Which brands do you have?

We are independently owned and have relationships with most hearing aid manufacturers. We recommend devices from an assortment of brands based on the needs of each patient. Some of the more common brands we work with are Oticon, Widex, Phonak, Sonic Innovations and Micro-tech.

Are your hearing aids digital?

Yes, almost all current hearing aids are digital and the older analog technology is pretty rare at this point. Digital means that the hearing aid has a computer that can automatically make adjustments for each environment that our patients encounter on a regular basis to make sure they are hearing as well as possible.