Frequently Asked Questions
 
Question 1: How many people in the U.S. have hearing loss?
 
Answer: Over 31 million, or about 1 out of 10.
 
Question 2: What causes hearing loss?
 
Answer: Aging, noise exposure, genetic disorders, diseases, drugs, infections, head trauma and tumors.
 
Question 3: What age groups are affected by hearing loss?
 
Answer: People have hearing loss in all ages, newborn to centurions.
 
Question 3: What's the difference between an audiologist and a hearing aid dispenser?
 
Answer: Years of education. Audiologists have a masters degree or doctorate. Although hearing aid dispensers may be educated, many have on the job training, and they are not trained to perform diagnostic tests.
 
Question 4: Should the hearing test be free?
 
Answer: Audiologists test to rule out a medical condition and are contracted with many insurance companies. Most insurance companies, and Medicare, cover the cost of the hearing test. Audiologists who contract with Medicare, have to charge separately for the testing. A "Free hearing test" is not a diagnostic test and is used solely for the purpose of selling a hearing aid. If Desert Sounds were to provide free tests and get audited, we would loose insurance contracts. Even if you already wear hearing aids, you should have a diagnostic test before purchasing a new hearing aid.
 
Question 5: Aren't all hearing aids alike? They are just amplifiers right?
 
Answer: No. Just like a car made by Ford, you can have many different models. What you purchase depends on your life style, the power you want, speed, and comfort. The same goes for hearing aids. Hearing aids differ according the following features:
  • Style (Behind-the-Ear, In-the-Ear, Half Shell, Completely-in-Canal)
  • Power
  • How many bands and channels
  • Noise reduction technology
  • Feedback cancellation technology
  • Multiple programs
  • Telecoil (automatic, switchable or both)
  • Directional microphone technology (automatic adaptive, fixed, programmable)
Question 6: How many people with hearing loss own hearing aids?
 
Answer: Only about 1 person out of 5 with hearing loss is an owner.
 
Question 7: Why do hearing aids cost so much?
 
Answer: The cost of hearing aids depends on the make and model you purchase.
 
The base cost of the hearing aid comes from the manufacturer. Factors that figure into the cost are:
  • Engineering - research and design, for today's model and future models
  • Company overhead: labor, equipment, facilities
  • 8% of the hearing aids ever purchased are returned for credit - those returned for credit can not be sold to anyone else
  • Manufacturers repair hearing aids for 1 - 3 years at no additional cost to you (common causes of hearing aid malfunction is lack of and circuit malfunctions)
  • The average number of repairs that come in for repair
  • Loss and damage claims: for a small deductible, hearing aids are replaced
In our office, the cost includes:
  • Professional fees for programming and supervising checks and adjustments
  • Loaner hearing aids
  • Hearing aid supplies
  • Company overhead: staff, equipment, rent, utilities
Question 8: Do you offer a "Free Trial Period?"
 
Answer: We are unable to offer free trials. We take every measure possible to ensure that the hearing aids we dispense are the correct devices for our clients. This includes extensive diagnostic tests and interviews, counseling, training and follow-up visits.
 
Question 9: But I thought you legally have to provide a "free trial period".
 
Answer: The Federal Trade Commission recommends a trial period, but the State may or may not mandate. Some states, like California, mandate a free trial period, Arizona does not.
 
Question 10: If I had my test someplace else, is it OK to bring that to your office to get hearing aids?
 
Answer: Yes, we would be happy to use any audiogram done within the last year, provided it was done by an audiologist.
 
Question 11: I see hearing aids advertised over the internet for a lot less than what you are asking me to pay for.
 
Answer: Internet sales of hearing aids are popping up everywhere. Several patients have reported finding hearing aids at greatly discounted prices on e-Bay or other web sites. Several of the top manufacturers have banned the sale of their products over the internet. These companies include Starkey, Widex, and recently Oticon. We can hope to see more reputable manufacturers follow suit in the near future.
 
Patients may find significant discounts on these hearing aids. However, acquiring the proper hearing aid for you goes far beyond the simple purchase of a product; it should include a careful fitting, verification, validation and rehabilitative services leading to a successful outcome. Purchasing hearing aids over the internet ignores the services needed for a successful fit.
 
By purchasing over the internet, the consumer is left to find their own service, or the internet site selling the hearing aid may refer you to a hearing healthcare provider, paying them a significantly discounted fee. It is easy for the practitioner to be apathetic to these clients versus patients who purchase directly.
 
Buying hearing aids over the internet can be very dangerous and our office won't support it from a sound business standpoint. Patients may purchase the wrong hearing aid for their hearing loss, thus requiring more follow-up visits and no recourse for an unsatisfactory fitting. In order to sell a hearing aid in the State of Arizona, you have to have a license to dispense hearing aids. The Attorney General's office has been long fighting the sale of hearing aids through magazines. You also have to have a hearing test prior to purchasing a hearing aid. This hearing test should be done by an audiologist to insure you don't have a medical condition that requires further medical attention. Some patients who attempt to purchase aids over the internet are asked to take their own ear impressions. This should only be done by a professional.
 
I recently resigned as a provider for Hearing Planet. People think they are getting a big discount, but they aren't. Often times I can sell the same hearing aid in my office and provide more services (3 year service, 3 year warranty, 3 year loss and damage, 3 year batteries) for approximately the same price.
 
Question 12: How long does it take to get hearing aids once I order them?
 
Answer: Custom aids and ear molds take 2 weeks to get in.
 
...life never sounded so good!™