Facts on Hearing Aids

· The hearing aid fitting process typically consists of six stages: assessment, treatment planning, selection, verification, orientation, and validation. The widespread use of computers has made the process of fitting hearing aids more accurate and efficient.

· Over 60% of individuals with hearing loss are fit with two hearing aids (binaural).  The benefits of wearing two hearing aids are enhanced ability to (a) hear better in the presence of background noise, (b) determine where sound is coming from, and (c) hear soft sounds at lower levels.

· One state-commissioned study published in 2000 has put the average cost for requiring hearing aid coverage by all insurers, non-profit health plans and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) every 3 years at $16.  This is based on a $1,400 contribution per hearing aid (beneficiaries wanting more expensive hearing aids would pay the difference), excluding the cost of batteries and maintenance that is estimated at about $300 per year.

· Hearing aids differ in design, type of circuitry, size, and amount of amplification, but they do have similar components that include a microphone, amplifier circuitry (to make the sound louder), a receiver (to deliver the amplified sound into the ear); and batteries to power the electronic parts.

· Approximately 30% of hearing aids in use today are equipped with a telecoil. This is an optional feature that couples directly with hearing aid compatible telephones and assistive listening devices, improving intelligibility in noisy situations, poor acoustical environments, and at long distances from the speaker.

· There are over 1,000 types and models of hearing aids to satisfy an individual’s hearing loss needs.