Useful Information

Frequently Asked Questions — A & A Hearing Group

Does buying hearing aids online or out of a catalog make sense?

Although this option may be initially attractive because of bargain prices, we caution patients against purchasing hearing aids in this way. You may be buying an inappropriate product to address your hearing loss, could cause damage to your ear or hearing, or could be disappointed by providing poor sound quality.

At our office, we can work with you (no matter your income) to get an appropriate and good quality hearing instrument.

Who is the appropriate professional to go to for hearing aids?

The most appropriate professional to fit hearing aids and identify the best amplification treatment for hearing loss is a Doctor of Audiology. Audiologists are the gatekeepers for all hearing disorders because they are the most knowledgeable about hearing tests and the prescription of hearing instruments. Audiologists always have good relationships with ENT offices to refer patients for medical problems related to the ears. However, that is done after an evaluation and case history.

Hearing aid dispensers including many big chain stores that don’t have the expertise needed to determine when to refer a patient for medical evaluations, if needed. They also are usually confined to one or two brands of hearing aids, which may not be the most suitable for your hearing loss.

What types of hearing aids are available?

There is a wide range of hearing instruments available. Not only are there many hearing aid manufacturers, but there are also many models and styles of hearing aids. The primary manufacturers that our company works with are Phonak, Widex®, Starkey®, Unitron™, Oticon, ReSound, and Lyric Hearing aids from InSound™ Medical. We also work with other manufacturers of hearing aids on an as needed basis, or when a patient requests a specific manufacturer.

What hearing aid is right for me?

Some of the key factors in determining which hearing aid is appropriate for you has to do with the shape and size of your ear canal, cosmetic concerns, comfort concerns, and most importantly what device will provide the highest quality of sound.

Do you fit Lyric™ hearing instrument?

Yes. In fact, the company that makes Lyric just named our company as a preferred provider. We are one of the only providers in the area to offer the Lyric™ hearing device. The Lyric™ by InSound™ Medical, is the first and only hearing product worn continuously, with complete invisibility and unsurpassed sound fidelity, with no batteries to change (there is a battery but you do not change it). To learn more, and take the first step towards utilizing this new technology, contact A & A Hearing Group today.

 

Do you fit the OtoLens hearing instrument?

Yes. We are, again, one of the few groups of audiologists trained in this type of fitting. This device, although made to compete with the Lyric is totally different than the Lyric because you have to take it out ever night, change the battery, and you cannot get it wet. But it is very small! To learn more, and take the first step towards utilizing this new technology, contact A & A Hearing Group today.

What is the typical procedure for getting hearing aids?

After the hearing exam and choosing the most appropriate hearing aid (we work with almost all hearing aid models). We see our patients six to eight times in the first year to provide them with the aftercare they need to make the most of their investment in better hearing.

A custom-fit hearing aid from our practice can help you immerse yourself in a rich world of sounds once again. Come to our one of our offices in Chevy Chase, Montgomery Village, Aspen Hill or Frederick for a hearing aid consultation, and hear what you’ve been missing!

We work with a wide range of instruments including hearing aids from Widex, Phonak, the Lyric from Insound Medical, Unitron, Oticon, Siemens, Starkey, Sonnic Innovations, Microtech, and others. We give our patients straightforward and simple recommendations for which hearing aid is best for them based on their particular hearing loss and lyfestyle.

Most patients are interested in the prices of devices. Usually hearing aids start at about $1300 per instrument (after all fees and are included), but the final cost depends on the technology warranties, accessories, and service packages needed. The typical investment of $1300, as an example, will get the patient a custom digital entry level device, with a 3 year warranty and 1 year in-office service. The average investment of a typical patient, however, is about $2400 per instrument, although, it is not unusual to pay $3200 per device. In general, more expensive instruments, mean better equipped instruments. Hearing aids that cost more, inevitably sound better because the technology in the instrument allows the user to hear better in more environments, because more advanced technology can identify your listening environment, and make extremely fast computations, to give better speech clarity in noise, music, or in more challenging sound environments. Higher level hearing aid technology also allows the patient to experience the benefit of mutiple channels and noise reduction in each individual channel.

No matter which hearing aid technology fits your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget, we, at A&A Hearing Group are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service for a full year after you are fit with a new device at no additional charge. We also can provide patients with 0% financing during that time for those who qualify.