Buying Hearing Aids

The process of buying hearing aids usually involves getting a hearing test, trying out the hearing aids, and finally buying them. I was not new to hearing aids, having grown up with them, so my own hearing aid buying process was slightly different. First I had a hearing test. Then we (my audiologist and I) would try several different hearing aids, to see which one I could hear best and most comfortably with. I would buy the best matching set, with a fixed period of time -- a trial period -- for returning them if they did not work out.

Getting a Hearing Test

Before buying hearing aids, get a hearing test from a professional audiologist. When the hearing test is completed, you will have an audiogram. An accurate audiogram is needed in order to buy a hearing aid.

Trial Periods for Hearing Aids

As noted by the Federal Trade Commission, the majority of states require a trial period of between one and two months. During the trial period, you can wear the hearing aids to see if they work for you. Be sure you are clear on the hearing aid dispenser's trial period policy before you buy the hearing aids. Make sure you understand the policy with regard to amount of refund, and fees, including return fees.

Hearing Aid Warranty

When you buy hearing aids, you get a warranty for the hearing aids. Make sure you learn how long the warranty covers the hearing aids, what is included in the warranty such as coverage for repairs or loss. The FTC also cautions that a hearing aid manufacturer may not honor the warranty unless you bought the hearing aid from one of their authorized sellers.

Risks of Buying Hearing Aids Online

Under U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules, you must provide a hearing aid seller a statement signed by a doctor that says you have had a medical evaluation for your hearing loss within the past six months. Hearing aid sellers may sell hearing aids directly (e.g., online) to adults with a medical evaluation waiver. Legal requirements for a medical evaluation waiver are explained in FDA regulations. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 801.421 has requirements that must be met in order for a hearing aid seller to be permitted to sell a hearing aid with a medical evaluation waiver. Three conditions must be satisfied:

• The potential customer must be informed that doing a waiver is NOT in the customer's best interest
• The seller does NOT encourage the customer to do a medical evaluation waiver
• The seller provides the customer a statement to sign that they are aware a medical evaluation would be in their best health interest and they do not wish to have a medical evaluation.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association cautions consumers that they should not buy hearing aids by mail order or online because doing so may mean bypassing crucial parts of the audiological evaluation process such as testing and fitting that is needed in order to maximize the benefit from the hearing aid.

Paying for hearing aids is a different challenge, often due to lack of insurance coverage. In Managing Hearing Aid Costs, About.com readers share how they were able to pay for their hearing aids. In addition, About.com readers have posted comments to the blog post, How Did You Pay for Your Hearing Aids?

_Sources:

_{Buying a Hearing Aid. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Buying-a-Hearing-Aid/. Accessed February 2011.}

_{Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=801.421. Accessed February 2011.}

_{Sound Advice on Hearing Aids. Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea10.shtm. Accessed February 2011.}