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Hearing Aid Facts

1. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in the United States and approximately 28 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing impairment
   
   
2. By age 65, one in three Americans will suffer from hearing loss, and by age 75 half of all Americans will have some type of hearing impairment
   
   
   
   
   
3. More than six million people in the United States already use hearing aids, yet statistics show that only 20 percent of those who need a hearing aid have one
   
   
4. You may need a hearing aid if you find yourself tired or stressed from trying to hear, find it easier to understand others when you look directly at their faces, frequently ask others to repeat themselves, or increase television and radio volumes to a point that others complain.
   
   
5. A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies and changes sound allowing for improved communication. It consists of a microphone, amplifier, speaker and battery.
   
   
6. A physician, otolaryngologist, or otologist can perform a comprehensive screening to identify an individual’s level of hearing loss. Once completed, an audiologist or hearing aid specialist can recommend an appropriate intervention device.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Due to the varying degrees of technological advances, hearing aid prices range from $600-$3000 each.|
   
   
8. Many private insurance companies do not cover hearing aids and Medicaid coverage varies by state. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, although some Medicare Managed Care Plans and Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans offer some coverage for related services, such as hearing exams and fitting evaulations.