Do you need a hearing aid?

As we age, the majority of us have diminished hearing, which can impact the quality of our lives. We find ourselves not hearing conversations and nodding when we have no clue what is said. We fear comments about “being old and not hearing,” and this leads to increased isolation, at a time, particularly with Covid, when it is more important than ever to be engaged.

 Unfortunately, despite this being an enormous problem for the elderly, many of us can’t afford hearing aids, which can cost upwards of $4000!  Typically, insurance companies (including Medicare) don’t pay for hearing aids, and we become even more isolated.

 There are ads on television on aids that you can get for better prices, without a visit to an audiologist, and it seems to be a great solution. But is it? I don’t have that answer, but I would like to share an experience that my husband and I had. While I am an experienced advocate, I blew this one.

 My husband went to see his nurse practitioner at a local ENT group and mentioned that he had tinnitus (a high-pitched ringing in his ears.). A hearing test was performed, and they determined that he has a high-frequency loss (thanks to rock n’ roll concerts), and while not a necessity, hearing aids “may help with hearing and even tinnitus.” 

 I questioned the cost, and we asked the office to check with his insurance (private as he is still employed.) We were told that they were “completely covered.”  I was skeptical and asked the office manager to check again. She did, and again (and again) we were both told “completely covered.”  I should have known better but “trusted” her. He got fitted and brought home a guide as to what different hearing aids are available, with the price in large print and bold. He was told (again) that his insurance covered the standard ones, “$3200”. An upgrade was better suited for him, ($4400) and when questioned if he could pay the difference, we were told that it was all or nothing. We decided he should get the “insurance covered” hearing aids. When he picked them up, he was asked to pay $1800. Apparently, in small print, it was listed that for rechargeable batteries (in my opinion, a necessity as dealing with batteries is difficult), there is a $400 additional fee. He was then asked to sign a contract (again, I should have never let him go alone) in which he would be held responsible for $1800. In the contract it stated that the group did not participate with insurance companies, and they “did not know how much insurance would cover.” 

 I saw red! When I called, the audiologist said that she was sorry and that it should have been explained, and we could return them immediately for a full refund, which we did. When I asked why he was not given the contract when he was fitted for the hearing aids, she said “I’m sorry.”  I wrote a scathing letter stating that it was a horrible business approach but stopped short at saying it was possibly fraud.

 So, what went wrong? I didn’t do my research. It is a rare insurance company that will pay for hearing aids, (if any) and I (we) believed the office personnel didn’t want to spend time explaining the process as they wanted to make a sale. I wonder how many people will pay this money because they think they have to and walk away feeling as if they have been had.

 Most audiologists are above board and tell clients about the fees beforehand, so they can make an informed, educated decision. I have learned my lesson. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and if you think something is too good to be true, call your insurance company and confirm. 

 And maybe someday, particularly with so many of us aging, we will be able to buy hearing aid insurance, like dental and vision.  

#patientadvocate, #askquestions,  #beaninformedpatient, #dontbeafraidtowalkaway #dontbescammed