When should I get my hearing checked?
Routinely throughout life, as often as you get your eyes checked.
How will I notice a reduction in my hearing?
You may or may not, but others will. (That’s why you get it checked.) The first thing you may notice is that people seem to mumble.
How much is a comprehensive hearing evaluation at Ears to You?
$40.00.
Who uses hearing technology?
People of all ages. About half of all hearing loss is genetic, and it can show up early in life.
When should I use hearing technology?
When your hearing is reduced and you want to keep it at its best.
What hearing aid brands do you sell?
My primary focus is the Oticon brand, but hearing aids from Phonak and Unitron are also available.
Why is the choice of a provider important?
Education and experience vary widely. Some dispensers do not have a college education. Others, such as audiologists, have a masters or doctorate. The important thing is to find an audiologist. Audiologists get extensive training on hearing technology as well as the testing and rehabilitative processes needed to make that technology a success.
How much do your hearing aids cost?
We separate the product cost from the service fee so you can get a better picture of what you are buying. The professional fee for a new hearing aid fitting is $925.00 and includes the hearing aid evaluation, fitting, and follow up. Hearing aid prices range from $460.00 per aid to $1800.00 per aid. Visit fees will vary depending on the distance traveled. They range from $95.00 (Newport News) to $145.00 (Williamsburg). Procedure fees are additional and range from $30.00 for a hearing aid check to $125.00 for speech mapping.
Can I pay over time?
Yes! The professional service fee can be paid over the course of 12 months. The cost of the hearing aid must be paid at the time of the fitting because I need to pay the manufacturer.
Do you offer free checkups for the life of the hearing aid?
No. Providers who offer “free” checkups build the price of those checkups into the price you pay upfront for their hearing aids. We use a fee-for-service model in which you only pay for products and/or services as you get them. The goal is to promote fairness and transparency in the process that leads to better hearing.
Does insurance help with hearing aid costs?
Some plans do. Many insurance companies follow Medicare’s lead in this regard. Please check with your insurance company to see if you have a hearing aid benefit.
Does Medicare pay for hearing aids?
Medicare will cover procedures performed at Ears to You when they are part of an ear-related diagnostic process started by your physician. A referral from your physician is necessary. Ears to You is enrolled in Medicare, but is non-participating. We can bill Medicare for you, but you are responsible to pay us on the date of service. You will be informed of all charges prior to the provision of services. You receive 95% of Medicare’s allowed charge from Medicare after they process your claim.
Can hearing aids help me with my phone or TV?
When I started fitting hearing aids in 1998, their main utility was better hearing in quiet places. Nowadays you can connect your phone, TV, or other audio device to your hearing aids using a technology called Bluetooth. Some hearing aids will communicate directly with your cellphone. (People LOVE these!)
What is Real Ear?
Real Ear is the process of measuring the sounds a hearing aid makes in your ear canal. Your audiologist needs to know exactly how your hearing aid responds to soft, medium, and loud sounds in order to adjust it precisely for your particular hearing loss. This measurement was highly recommended by Consumer Reports and is considered a part of best practices by the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.