Get a hearing test. Don’t forget this step. It’s crucial for you to know the degree and type of hearing loss you have. It’s even more important to rule out any medical problems. If you pay for a hearing test separately, you are free to shop around for the best model for you at the best price. Hearing tests cost around $75, depending on where you live.
Go for a consultation to get an audiologist’s recommendation on types of hearing aids and to discuss cost. Invest time here in order to save money and avoid hassles later. See two or more audiologists for consultations, making it clear upfront with each one that you are shopping around and seeing more than one audiologist. Check their recommendations against each other and against the prices you find on the web.
Finally, buy the hearing aid. Dicker a little bit and buy the model you want at the best price.
If you can’t afford them, look for a nonprofit organization that provides free or low-cost hearing aids. These nonprofits include the League for the Hard of Hearing in New York.
Taking Care of Your Hearing Aids
- Protect them from heat and moisture.
- Replace dead batteries right away.
- Clean them according to their instructions.
- Don’t use hairspray or other spray-on hair products while wearing them.
- Turn off hearing aids when you aren’t using them.
- Keep small hearing aids — and replacement batteries — away from children and pets.
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD
SOURCE: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
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