HEARING AIDS

Timothy C. Hain, M.D. Heather Rudisill, AuD

Please read our disclaimer Return to Practice Index. Page last modified: June 18, 2009

We offer hearing aid dispensing and related services such as ear plugs to our patients at Chicago Dizziness and Hearing. This page is an abbreviated version of a more extensive discussion of hearing aids located on our main site, dizziness-and-balance.com. If you just interested in getting a hearing aid, see this page.

Behind the ear (BTE). Cheapest, easiest to adjust, less feedback than other devices. Fairly visible (the model shown in the middle is from the Oticon web site). Most powerful. Fewest number of problems with wax or infections. Does not require an impression. BTE hearing aids come in many different colors to match your skin, hair, and bright colors for kids. They may be connected to external sound sources such as assistive listening devices (directional technology, FM systems, CROS/BI-CROSS hearing devices) and televisions.
Post-auricular canal (PAC). A hybrid between BTE and CIC. Almost invisible, easy to fit and maintain. This is a hearing aid that we often dispense. The pictures are from Sebotek.
In the ear (ITE).  Low visibility; harder to put in and adjust than PAC or BTE. Powerful and still fairly easy to adjust. It can fit a wide variety of hearing losses including severe losses. ITE hearing aids also come in skin colors and can also be equipped with directional technology.
In the canal (ITC). Very low visibility. Clearer than BTE. Lower power so not suitable for persons with more severe hearing problems. Patients with tremor or poor eyesight are not good candidates. ITC hearing aids are also matched to skin color.
Completely in the canal (CIC). This is the smallest hearing instrument available today. BTE because of tighter fit. Patients with tremor or poor eyesight are not good candidates for the CIC. It is best used for mild to moderate hearing losses. It fits snugly into your ear canal with a tiny filament that is used to remove the instrument. The faceplate of the CIC instrument is made to match skin color.

There are also Body/Eye-glass styles (< 1%), low-profile, half-shell, and canal types.

How much do Hearing Aids cost ?

Hearing aids are typically not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance and pricing varies according to the manufacturer, vendor, and service arrangements. According to Kirkwood (2005), in 2004, the average price of a hearing aid was $1776.   These prices are taken from a recent article on management of hearing loss by Bogardus et al, 2003.

There are numerous brands and variants. In general, smaller devices, such as the CIC devices mentioned above, are more expensive, and newer/more complex circuitry is also more expensive. Compression circuitry in analog aids is more expensive (but definitely a good idea). Directional microphones cost more, but are also a good idea. Greater user control is also usually more expensive. Bilateral aids are often but not always better (Baron, 2002).

In Illinois where we practice, as well as in many other states, there is a 30 day tryout period, which is basically a legally mandated money-back guarantee for the hearing aid device itself. The dispenser is allowed to keep a fee for their services during the trial. As hearing aids are generally not covered by insurance and typically cost in the $1000's, we recommend that you think about this carefully. On the other hand, hearing is a very important sense and you can be oblivious to much important information as well as very annoying to your family when you can't hear.

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• If you simply want to look at hearing aids, see this page.
• To contact us at CDH, see this page, or email us at: audiology@dizziness-and-balance.com