Once you’ve seen an audiologist and a hearing loss has been found, your doctor may decide you could benefit from hearing aids as part of your comprehensive treatment plan. There are a wide variety of hearing aid manufacturers, types of hearing aids and price tags, which may make the process of choosing a hearing aid seem daunting.
Thankfully, we have options to fit all budgets and will work with you to find the best fit for you. Scheduling a consultation with one of our Audiologists is the first step towards better hearing.
Payment Options
We understand that hearing aids can be a substantial financial decision. We offer several payment options to accommodate your budget which will be discussed during your consultation.
Commercial Insurance Benefits (Including the VA and Oregon Health Plan)
We are contracted with several insurance plans and will verify the benefits of every patient that is scheduled for a consultation and provide an estimate for their out of pocket costs.
Self-Pay
Not all insurance plans cover all devices. Some patients prefer to pay out-of-pocket for hearing aids that better suit their needs.
Northwest Access Fund
Northwest Access Fund is a non-profit that offers financial services to seniors and those with disabilities. They offer low interest loans for hearing aids and other assistive technology to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing in Washington and Oregon.
Better Hearing Plan
Our own hearing care leasing plan makes hearing aids more accessible for our valued patients. The Better Hearing Plan features:
- Low monthly payments – Our new program allows you to make simple and affordable monthly payments instead of having to deal with large upfront costs.
- Automatic Technology Upgrades – You have the option to upgrade your hearing aid technology every three years to ensure that your hearing aids are up to date and working at the highest performance level.
- Comprehensive warranties – Enjoy peace of mind knowing you won’t have any repair or service charges to worry about. At no extra charge, your subscription includes a comprehensive hearing aid warranty for the life of the plan.
Making the Right Choice
There is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to hearing devices. A patient may choose a hearing aid based on appearance and functionality. For example, completely in-canal and in-the-canal hearing aids are not highly visible, but also do not include directional microphones. The smaller devices have more compact batteries and may not help with moderately severe to severe hearing loss.
In other words, you need to consider a variety of factors when choosing a hearing aid; these include personal preference, lifestyle needs, technology options and cost. Your Audiologist will assist you in making the right decision based on your lifestyle and technology level of the hearing aids during your consultation.
Cost vs. Value
Hearing aids range in price based on the type of hearing loss they treat and the technology required to match your lifestyle.
Consider all the activities that you cannot fully enjoy because of your hearing loss. Do you miss parts of conversations with loved ones? Do you avoid your favorite restaurants because you have difficulty ordering food? Do you enjoy music but miss out on the nuances of your favorite songs? Hearing aids can help you better take in the world around you.
While higher tier technology comes with a larger price tag, there are many features that wearers find essential. Today’s newest devices can connect to your smartphone and TV via Bluetooth® so you can stream calls, music, your favorite shows and more. In addition, some models offer rechargeable batteries and auto-adjustments when you enter a new listening environment.
Happiness from Hearing Aids
When you shop for hearing aids, be sure to consider all your needs—not just budget. Purchasing low-tier technology will work for some, but if you have a more complex or profound hearing loss, you will not achieve your full hearing potential with baseline technology.
Call Willamette ENT Hearing Center at (503) 485-2581 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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