What Do I Need To Know About Hearing Aids?

The AARP states that hearing loss is common as people age. The main type of hearing loss is sensorineural. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage and deterioration to the hair cells inside the ear, which is common during aging. You may want to talk to your doctor about hearing aids if:

• Straining to hear makes you feel tired
• You have to be looking at someone's mouth to understand him or her
• You have difficulty understanding words in public or normally loud places, such as a car or restaurant
• You often ask others to repeat what they said
• You have trouble hearing the telephone, doorbell, or alarms

Do I Need A Hearing Aid Exam?

If you feel as though you are suffering from hearing loss, you may want to ask your physician for a hearing exam. If your doctor does not conduct hearing exams, he or she will direct you to a hearing aid professional.

There are two main types of hearing exams. In regards to hearing aids and Medicare, it is important to know that only certain hearing exams are covered by Medicare.

• Regular hearing exams, which are similar to general health check up exams, are not covered by Medicare.
• The other type of hearing exam is a diagnostic hearing aid exam. This type of exam is based on a medical need, such as loss of hearing due to illness or surgery. Diagnostic hearing exams are prescribed by a physician, and are covered by Medicare as long as they are prescription-based due to a medical need.

How Do I Get a Hearing Exam?

A hearing aid professional may be an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or hearing aid specialist. A professional can help you discover the type of hearing loss you have and if a hearing aid is the right option for you. A hearing aid professional, such as an audiologist, will be able to test your hearing using a variety of equipment. This will evaluate the type of hearing aid you need, if you need one. The hearing aid professional will recommend and fit a hearing aid to your individual needs and lifestyle.

After your doctor or audiologist has completed a hearing exam for your individual needs, they will help you choose the type of hearing aid you need. When looking for a hearing aid specialist ensure that they:

• Are licensed and certified
• Have the correct testing equipment and a sound controlled room
• Offer a variety of hearing aids
• Work with you, and you are comfortable with them
• Explain costs, warranties, and trial periods
• Seem competent and offer after-purchase support

What Happens During a Hearing Exam?

During your hearing exam, you will be asked a variety of open-ended questions that help the examiner see how hearing loss impacts your daily life. You want to be specific about when, where, and how you have the most trouble hearing. For example, at home alone you can hear the television fine, but at a noisy coffee shop you have trouble hearing your friends. Explanations such as this help the hearing aid specialist determine the type of hearing aid that fits your lifestyle. The hearing exam will also question medications, ear pain or drainage, surgical history, dizziness or vertigo, and if you experience ringing in your ears.

The hearing exam will also use special equipment to test the type of hearing loss you have. In a sound-controlled booth, you will wear headphones or earphones that make a tone or word. The examiner will ask you to push a button when you hear the sounds. This will test the ability of your ears to recognize speech and tones based on the level of pitch and intensity. Remember that you may have to return to the hearing aid professional’s office for further testing, depending on your individual needs and the types of sounds that you can or cannot hear.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Exams and Hearing Aids?

In general, Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids of any type. In some cases, diagnostic hearing exams are covered by Medicare Part B, but this is only when they are ordered by a doctor. If your hearing problem is due to a specific injury or disease—such as removal of a brain tumor or head injury—Medicare may cover the charges. Your doctor or hearing specialist will be able to explain which hearing exams are covered by Medicare, and the conditions for a diagnostic hearing exam.

You pay 100% of charges for routine hearing exams and hearing aids. If you are approved by your physician for a Medicare-covered diagnostic hearing exam, you pay 20% of the charges. You must pay your deductible for any Medicare Part B services and supplies before Medicare begins to pay its share. If a doctor, health care provider or supplier does not accept assignment, the amount you pay may be higher.