Frequently Asked Questions
Is an audiological evaluation painful?
No, having your hearing tested is a totally non-invasive and pain free process. Earphones similar to those worn for a music listening device are used for all the tests.Aren’t hearing aids expensive and not covered by insurance? How can I afford hearing aids?
Although hearing aids are typically not covered by most insurance or Medicare, a few insurance companies may provide some coverage so we recommend that you contact your insurance company first. If they do provide some coverage, we will give you the necessary codes and documents to submit to your insurance company. If no coverage is provided, we at Raritan Valley Audiology do fully understand the financial constraints of paying out of pocket. We are committed to your health and are here for you, committed to help find hearing solutions that work, within a budget that works. We offer a wide selection of digital hearing aids, from simplest models for the budget conscious to the state of the art fully programmable models with Bluetooth capabilities to seamlessly sync with a wide assortment of today’s electronics for those who demand the latest of technologies. In addition to budget conscious models, we also understand that perhaps a payment plan might be more attractive to some of our patients, so we participate in CareCredit financing (http://www.carecredit.com/hearing) which offers flexible monthly payment plans.
There are a number of other purchase options which can be custom tailored to meet your individual situation, all of which are designed to make hearing clearly again more affordable than ever. Rest assured, whatever your situation may be, Raritan Valley Audiology is fully committed to helping our patients find the best solutions to meet their hearing needs.
How often do I need to have my hearing checked?
If you are not experiencing fluctuations with your hearing, an annual audiologic evaluation is typically sufficient. If you ever feel that your hearing has changed, it is recommended to have your hearing checked as soon as possible, especially if you also are experiencing dizziness symptoms. If you use hearing aids, appropriate adjustments in programming will be made so that the aids are functioning at the most optimal level for you. Just be sure to have an appropriate referral or prescription from your physician for the evaluation.
Won’t a hearing aid feel funny in my ear? What if I do not like the hearing aid?
We fully appreciate that getting hearing aids may be a new and uncomfortable situation for many. We are fully committed to making this transition as seamless and comfortable as possible. We will be with you every step of the way. Initially, you may notice the hearing aid in place for the first few days; similar to the physical sensation of new eyeglasses sitting on the bridge of one’s nose for the first time. It is important that you realize that the brain needs time to adjust to the new sounds, and you need time to adjust to physically using the aids as well. However, you will be surprised at how quickly your body and brain adjusts to the physical and acoustic feelings of the hearing aids. Since we are committed to ensuring that the aids are both comfortable and beneficial for you, we will be working with you closely and adjusting the aids as necessary during this transition period. In addition, we offer a wide variety of hearing aids, with varying sizes and fitments that will make finding the best one for you easy. For the very few patients who still feel that the hearing aids are not providing benefit to them, worry not, there is a thirty day trial period. If you decide to return the hearing aids, you will receive the balance of what you paid, minus a small restocking fee. However, we are certain that for the vast majority of patient’s, a return will be the last thing on ones mind!
Aren’t hearing aids large, cumbersome, and noticeable? I still do care about my appearance and hate to think the first thing people will notice about me are my hearing aids!
Just as the computers which once took up entire rooms with their bulky hardware have shrunk to the size of a thin spiral notebook, the same technology has allowed for hearing aids to shrink as well, while offering never before heard clarity. Raritan Valley Audiology offers a wide selection of hearing aids with various fitments, including tiny behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC) and completely in the canal (CIC) which are perfect for those who demand subtlety. We even offer a variety of stylish custom colors and patterns which cater to the fashion conscious.
NewsFlash: In keeping with our mission to provide state of the art audiologic care, in the near future we will be offering an exciting new hearing aid technology which will not be visible at all, either to you OR those around you! Stay tuned for future announcements.
No matter what your needs, we are fully committed to working with you until we find a hearing solution that you are happy with, and we are certain that we will be successful!
What if I lose the hearing aid?
As long as the hearing aid is under manufacturer warranty, a replacement aid will be furnished to you ONCE during the life of the warranty, for a replacement fee.
What is CareCredit financing? How does it work?
In simplest terms, this financing option allows for interest free (depending on the terms of the plan selected) financing of health care services, including hearing aid technology. Click here for more info.