Pittwater Life March 2017 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Buying a hearing aid: are
you getting value for money?
These days, there are
plenty of options for
purchasing hearing
aids. You can go to a large
retail outlet, purchase online,
or visit an independent
audiologist in a Hearing
Clinic. The price of hearing
aids is often cheaper when
purchasing online – but
what exactly are you paying
for, and what are the
hidden costs, or long-term
implications of your hearing
aid purchase?
Local audiologist Emma
van Wanrooy from Pittwater
Hearing in Avalon has
prepared a list of things to
consider when comparing
costs of hearing aids:
l What does the cost of the
device include? Are you
paying for a package of
services, or just the device?
Can you return as often as
you like?
Says Emma: “Regular followups
for fine tuning of the
hearing aids are important as
your listening preferences or
needs may change over time.
In addition, your hearing may
change, so are you able to
have your hearing checked as
needed, and the aids adjusted
as part of your package? Do
you need to pay extra for
these services?”
l Are you provided a large
choice of devices, or only 1
or 2? Have you been offered
devices that fit completely in
your canal?
Says Emma: “There are
several styles of hearing
aids, that come in about 4-5
different levels of technology.
It is the level of technology
that has a large impact on the
price, as well as all the other
things that we are considering
here.”
l What are the features you
are paying for?
Says Emma: “Does the
hearing aid have a narrow
beamforming directional
microphone to help you in
noisy situations? Can you
adjust the hearing aids using
an app on your phone? Do
you have access to quick
audiological support and
audiologists’ hearing aid
adjustments via an app on
your phone?
l Do you have to pay
extra for custom ear
moulds, replacement
parts such as tubing
and domes and wax
protectors?
Says Emma: “Some
clinics will include
all parts for the
first three years
as part of your
hearing aid
purchase.”
l Are you
given
the
option of a custom-made ear
tip, or are you only given the
“one-size-fits-all” ear tips?
How is the hearing aid fitting
measured to ensure it’s best
for you?
Says Emma: “The gold
standard for audiologists is
to perform measurements in
your ear, and speech in noise
testing with the hearing aids
to ensure the devices and
settings are appropriate for
you and your needs.”
l Can your hearing aid be
adjusted by another clinic if
you move, or wish to change
providers, or are you locked
in to going back to the
original provider for the life
of the hearing aid?
Says Emma: “And what
happens if your hearing aids
need repair? What is the
warranty period? Do you need
to courier the aid for repair
yourself, or will your clinic
do this for you? What is the
turn-around time for repairs?
How will you manage without
your hearing aid? Some clinics
will provide clients with a loan
device while they wait 1-2
weeks for their hearing aid to
be repaired.
“Of course, there is a lot
to consider, and having
time to discuss your options
with an audiologist who can
advise you on what features
or styles are best for you,
your hearing loss and your
communication needs
is essential. Don’t ever
hesitate in getting a second
opinion if you feel you
need it.”
For more info call
Emma at
Pittwater
Hearing
on 8919
0008.
42
MARCH 2017