Reports say approximately 15 percent of American adults are hearing impaired and need hearing aids to help them hear accurately. Additionally, close to two or three of every thousand children in the US are born with some hearing loss in one or both ears. These are disturbing numbers which also means that a large number of Americans need affordable hearing aid options to function well in their daily lives.

Cost 

Some people need two hearing aids, while others only need one. Thus, the cost depends on how many a person needs and what type of hearing loss and level of technology their device/devices need. A good quality hearing aid will cost you anywhere between one to four thousand dollars or more depending on what features are included.

Hearing aid designs have become far more sophisticated and expensive than before. But many manufacturers still offer a range of models. Get the basic performance levels for far less money than their noise-reduction and wireless-enabled counterparts.

Features you should look for:

Automatic adjustment for different hearing devices

Up to four added hearing programs

360-degree hearing, also known as spatial orientation

Wireless connections

Adjustable speech recognition

Feedback cancellation

Digital sound processing

Different styles and designs    

The price for a hearing aid device usually includes the hearing test examination, fitting, consultation, and follow-up appointments for routine cleanings or adjustments if any. Most also have a warranty that extends to repairs over the course of three years and free battery changes.

Insurance coverage for hearing aids

Some health insurance plans cover hearing devices, while others only include things like audiologists within the company’s Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). This is mainly because hearing aids are not considered a necessity but an elective medical need. The plans that do cover hearing aids also usually have a per ear quota or a maximum lifetime allowance to make use of these benefits.

While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing devices, some states have mandates in place, especially for children’s hearing aids. The state of Wisconsin covers hearing aids and cochlear implants for children. Some even extend this to include adults.

Buying a hearing aid online

Unlike non-prescription reading glasses that you can try and buy, hearing aids need to be customized for each user. This might sometimes take two to three appointments to fine-tune the hearing device for a single patient. Be aware that only a licensed hearing aid professional should be doing these fittings and that it should be done in person, not online.

Finally, buying hearing aids means making an essential investment in your health. The correct hearing device can improve the quality of life for hearing-impaired people considerably. Many hearing aid providers today even offer deferred payment plans to help those on a budget get the device of their choice.