Questions to Ask Your Hearing Specialist Before You Buy Hearing Aids

When it’s time to purchase a car, the majority of us know exactly what to do. We do some research, compare options, and compose a list of questions to ask the dealership. We do this so that by the time we’re ready to stop by the dealership, we have an idea of what we’re looking for and we know which questions to ask.

When it’s time to purchase hearing aids, however, many people don’t know where to start. Even though the process is similar to purchasing a car, it’s also in many ways more complicated (and probably not quite as fun). It’s more complicated because each person’s hearing loss is distinct and each pair of hearing aids demands customized programming. If purchasing a car was like this, it would be like you taking it home and having to install the transmission yourself.

Luckily, you don’t need to know how to program your own hearing aids, but you do need to know the questions to ask to ensure that your hearing specialist covers all bases, correctly programming the most appropriate hearing aids for your preferences and lifestyle. In this manner, compiling a list of questions to talk about with your hearing specialist is the single most important thing you can do prior to your hearing test.

But which questions should you ask? Here are 35 to get you up and running, broken down by category:

HEARING LOSS

Specific kinds of hearing loss require specific types of treatment. The more you understand your own hearing loss, the better you’ll be able to evaluate hearing aid alternatives. You need to learn what form of hearing loss you have, if it will get worse, how soon you should treat it, and all of your treatment options.

Questions to ask:

• What form of hearing loss do I have?
• Do I have unilateral or bilateral hearing loss?
• Can I have a copy of my hearing test?
• Will my hearing loss get worse over the years if left untreated?
• Will hearing aids improve my hearing?
• How much of my hearing will hearing aids repair?
• What are my other alternatives other than hearing aids?

HEARING AID STYLES AND FEATURES

Hearing aids are made in numerous styles, from multiple manufacturers, loaded with numerous features. You need a systematic way to narrow down your choices to assure that you get the proper hearing aid without spending money on features you don’t need or want.

Questions to ask:

• How many different kinds of hearing aid styles do you offer?
• Which hearing aid style is ideal for my requirements and lifestyle?
• Which digital features would be relevant to me, and which could I do without?
• What are telecoils and directional microphones and do I need them?
• Do I need Bluetooth compatible hearing aids?
• Do my hearing aids need to be professionally programmed?
• Do I need one or two hearing aids, and why?

HEARING AID PRICES, FINANCING, WARRANTIES, AND TRIAL PERIODS

The total cost of a pair of hearing aids commonly includes the professional fees associated with custom fitting and programming, along with many other services or accessories. You want to make sure that you fully grasp what you’re receiving for the price, if financing is available, if insurance will help, what the warranty includes, the length of the trial period, and if any “restocking fees” apply to the end of the trial period.

Questions to ask:

• What is the total price of the hearing aids, including professional services?
• Do you provide any financing plans?
• Will my insurance help pay for hearing aids?
• How much will my hearing aids cost me each year?
• Do the hearing aids have warranty coverage?
• How much do hearing aid repairs cost after the warranty has ended?
• Are repairs handled at the office or someplace else?
• If my hearing aids have to be mailed out for repairs, are loaner hearing aids available?
• Is there a trial period and how long is it?
• Is there a restocking fee if I return my hearing aids during or after the trial period?

HEARING AID OPERATION, CARE, AND MAINTENANCE

Your hearing specialist should explain to you how to care for, clean, and operate your hearing aids. To make sure that nothing is missed, make sure all of these questions are answered:

Questions to ask:

• How do I operate my hearing aids?
• How do I use hearing aids with telephones and other electronics?
• Can you show me how to use all of the buttons, features, and settings for my hearing aids?
• What are environmental presets, and how do I access them?
• Do I require a remote control, or can I use my smart-phone to operate the hearing aids?
• What batteries do I need, how long will they last, and how do I replace them?
• How should I clean and store my hearing aids?
• Do I need to come back for follow-up visits?
• How long will my hearing aids continue working?
• Do I need to update the hearing aid software program?
• Do I qualify for future hearing aid upgrades?

YOU’RE READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR HEARING TEST

Ok, so picking out a pair of hearing aids might not be as fun as buying a new car. But the quality of life you’ll achieve from better hearing might very well make you more happy, as you’ll reconnect with people and enjoy the intricacies of sound once again. So go ahead and book that hearing test — your new pair of hearing aids are waiting for a test drive.