Frequently Asked Questions
Hi, I’m Dr. Egan from Now Hear This and today I’m going to answer common questions we hear at our clinic when answering the phones. The first question is: “what hearing aid companies do you work with?” We work with all 7 major manufacturers. That’s Phonak, Unitron, Starkey, Signia, Oticon, Widex, and Resound. It’s important to us that we continue to work with all manufacturers, because that gives our patients access to every possible option. While getting a hearing aid is better than not getting a hearing aid when someone needs it, being able to fit someone with exactly the right device for their hearing needs and their lifestyle needs is critical, in my opinion, of doing the right job. I expect myself to stay in the know; always researching, always reading any changes in hearing aid companies, or any changes in design to their product, so we are completely up to date and can recommend a hearing aid that is truly the best fit for the individual.
Another common question that we have, is “how does our pricing work?” At Now Hear This we have moved to an unbundled model. That is truly best practice, because you are only paying for what you need. So, basically you pay for the cost of the device, you pay for the cost of the initial fitting period, and that includes the initial programming following best practice, seeing you several times to make sure the hearing aid is comfortable, it’s staying well in your ear, you’re hearing the things you need to, no sounds are too loud or too soft, and most importantly that you’re reaching your listening needs. If you came in because you can’t hear your sister-in-law, you better bet we are going to ask about it and make sure that is what the device is doing before you walk out the door! From there, we’re unbundled, which puts an expectation on us that we are going to do everything right the first time, because you are paying for it. If you need something, you just pay for an office visit or a hearing aid cleaning. You just pay for what you need at that time. We do offer for people who prefer the more traditional bundled plans, you can still purchase those, that’s just not our traditional model at this time. The other important thing to think about when getting hearing aids an unbundled clinic is better when you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Are you going to move for a job? Are you going to move to be closer to your child and your grandkids? And by not paying a lump cost for services 2 or 3 years down the road, you are better able to be flexible and meet your listening needs wherever you go. In my opinion, it’s truly best practice to be unbundled. The cost of our devices ranges anywhere from $800 or so per ear to $3000 per ear and that truly depends on what your lifestyle needs are, and what your hearing loss looks like. Are you someone who struggles in background noise, and you’re in background noise every day? Our recommendation might be different from someone who wants to hear better one-on-one, you’re mostly in quiet settings, and that’s why we always take time to get to know the patients, figure out what their listening needs are, and then appropriated pair them with a respected device.
Our third commonly asked question is: “will your hearing aids help me hear better?” The answer is yes! It’s not so much the hearing aid itself, but how the hearing aid is programmed. We use the highest quality, best practice, Real-Ear Measurement programming. I can tell you; I have not had a single return when we use this method, and when hearing listening goals are met. Of course, if they don’t suit your needs, you are able to return. We just don’t see that here, because people find that it helps, it works, I make their lives easier. That’s typically the outcome. So, if you have that question: “will you hear better?” Yes, you will. If you have any other questions, of course call, or email us. We are happy to help, happy educate and inform anyone who has questions. Have a wonderful rest of your day!