Hearing Aid FAQ

I’ve just been diagnosed with hearing loss. Do I need hearing aids?

It depends on your type and degree of hearing loss. The majority of patients suffer from sensorineural hearing loss, resulting in permanent damage to the inner ear. Fortunately, hearing aids can help most of these individuals communicate more effectively.

There are so many different types of hearing aids! Which style is best?

There is no single “best” style. You’ll have many options to choose from based on your individual listening needs. Factors to take into account include your type and degree of hearing loss, lifestyle needs, cosmetic preferences and budget. Your audiologist will help you select a hearing aid that will address your unique needs and desires.

Do I need two hearing aids?

Most patients have hearing loss in both ears that can benefit by amplification. Two hearing aids are best for natural hearing.

Will using hearing aids restore my hearing?

Hearing aids are only meant to be an aid and cannot restore hearing once it has been lost. Instead, they amplify sounds and speech signals for the purpose of aiding hearing, allowing you to communicate more effectively.

Won’t hearing aids make me look old?

Hearing loss affects individuals of all ages. In fact, two-thirds of all patients are under the age of 65. Hearing aids don’t make you look old, but being unable to follow along with conversations, asking others to repeat themselves and answering inappropriately do!

Are hearing aids covered by insurance?

Some insurance policies include hearing aid coverage, but this varies by plan. Call your insurance company to verify whether you have a hearing aid benefit.

Is there anything else, other than (or in addition to) hearing aids, that can help me hear?

In certain situations, hearing aids may not be enough. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) can provide an added boost when background noise, distance and poor acoustics are factors. If you are profoundly deaf and conventional hearing aids do not help, you might be a candidate for cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing aids. You can also ask your audiologist about aural rehabilitation and communication strategies that can be helpful for those with or without hearing aids.