While our hearing is likely to weaken with age, there are things we can do to address hearing loss. Hearing aids can be very expensive—as much as $3500 for a single hearing aid and most people need one for each ear. Batteries are also expensive—as much as $150. So, you want to be sure you really need them. If you do, here are ways to keep your costs down.
- Get a free annual wellness exam with Medicare. Medicare now covers an annual wellness exam in full so there’s every reason to make an appointment. During your visit, make sure that the doctor checks you for hearing impairments as well as your likelihood of falling. While Medicare will not pay for a hearing aid, the doctor can tell you whether you really need one.
- If you qualify for Medicaid, check the Kaiser Family Foundation web site to see whether Medicaid covers hearing aids in your state. If you’re a Vet, the VA may cover your hearing aids depending upon the degree of your hearing loss or the cause of your hearing loss.
- If you need help paying for hearing aids, contact Hear Now at 800-328-8602. Through the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Hear Now might be able to provide you with good hearing aids at low cost. The Lions Club’s Affordable Hearing Aids project also might be able to help you get low-cost hearing aids. Sertoma, a civic, service organization, whose mission is hearing health, offers a list of organizations that help people who need hearing aids.
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