Every day we make purchases: a loaf of bread, a cup of coffee, a newspaper. Some days those purchases are more significant – a car for example, or a new TV. However, it’s not very often we make life-changing purchases. For some though, a hearing aid can be just that: life changing.
Suddenly a night at a restaurant with friends means you can get involved in the conversation without straining. Relationships with family members improve – you don’t have to ask them the same question twice and they aren’t infuriated by repetition. Even watching a movie takes on a whole new dimension.
Hearing aids don’t come cheap though. Prices can range anywhere from €500 to €5,000, so getting the most out of your hearing aid at a price you can afford is a delicate balance.
With a significant range of technologies on the market, Irish Country Living spoke to Kay Lewis, owner and senior audiologist at Audiology Medical Services, to find out more.
“The amount of choice consumers have now is remarkable. Our range starts at €1,500 and goes right up to €5,500, so how do you decide between an essential device and a premium? Well the extent of your hearing loss is, of course, a consideration. However, it is not solely the determining factor.
“What people need to bear in mind is their lifestyle. For example, we could see two people with the same level of hearing loss. One is a lady that leads quite a sedentary life, she is at home a lot, goes to bingo once a week and has a small family. The other works part time, loves going to restaurants with friends at the weekend and has grandchildren over for dinner every Sunday. Although the quality of hearing with both these patients is the same, we would make very different recommendations to them.”
As you go up in price, you are opting for technology that is more automatic and can adapt seamlessly to different environments.
“There is a myriad of different options available,” says Kay. “You can choose from behind-the-ear options, the more discreet in-ear options, and one of the real success stories is the hearing aid where the battery can be re-charged, just like the way you charge your mobile phone. No need for messing around with batteries.
“Another option is by a company called Lyric, where the hearing aid is inserted about 4mm from your ear drum. It is inserted by professionals and stays there for 12 weeks before a new one is fitted. This works very well for people with dementia because it doesn’t have to be removed at night. So if there is a security issue or a fire alarm, they can hear it. It gives family an added peace of mind.”
This is just one of the added extras that people are willing to pay for, which enhances their wellbeing. In fact, you wouldn’t believe some of the features available, but it all makes sense as the sole reasoning for their development is to improve people’s lives. Kay says: “There is an option, for example, called a mini-mic. So if you are going to a wedding or an event where there is a lot of noise, the person you are going with wears the mini-mic, which is very discreet, and despite the background noise you will be able to hear what they are saying clearly.
“You might, for example, feel that your life would benefit from an added extra called the Roger Pen. This is an item which looks just like a pen that you can place discreetly on a boardroom table. The mic picks up everyone’s voices and via Bluetooth you can hear the whole conversation with no issues. If you were a professional who has hearing issues and it was effecting your work or your business, a feature like this can make the world of difference.”
This is why it's so important to visit a practitioner that doesn't just look at your hearing loss, but takes a holistic look at your life
There are also features such as wind noise reduction.
“If golfing and a chat with your friends on the green is the highlight of your week, this is a feature you may really value. There is also a feature called a TV link. You can turn up the volume all you want on your TV, but this is then distorting the sound, which doesn’t solve the problem.”
This is just a small selection of examples that demonstrate how hearing aids can be adapted to your life.
“This is why it’s so important to visit a practitioner that doesn’t just look at your hearing loss, but takes a holistic look at your life. In general, the industry is pretty well regulated, but it can be improved. Many of the audiologists are operating full time, to a high standard and are members of the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (ISHAA). However, we still hear stories of people working full time at the HSE by day and selling hearing aids by night. We also hear clients say that their hearing aid doesn’t work and is thrown in a drawer somewhere. The hearing aid is a mechanical device, it’s not that it doesn’t work. Instead, they were not given good advice and it’s not appropriate for them.”
As a result, Kay says that when looking at the prices, ask what is included.
“If it’s just the hearing aid itself, well you can just buy a device off the internet. Clients that visit us have an evaluation. This isn’t just an objective auditory test, which looks at the degree of your hearing loss, we also carry out a subjective questionnaire which analyses your individual needs.
Also, remember to ask if the following is included in the price or is an added extra:
What tests are included in your consultation?Does it include fitting and verification of your device?What follow up care is offered? Are you offered free return visits?Are batteries included?What warranty is offered? Many offer two or three-year warranties. Audiology Medical Services offer five years, which includes many services.It’s important to realise that the device is only one element of the cost, the service you are provided also holds a value. With significant costs, there is Government support to help when you are making your purchase. If you are eligible for the PRSI Treatment Benefit Scheme, the Department of Social Protection will pay for half of the cost of a hearing aid, up to a maximum of €500 for a single aid, or to up €1,000 for a pair. You can also claim up to 50% off repairs and replacement hearing aids too.
Listen to "What do to if you're suffering from hearing loss" on Spreaker.
Every day we make purchases: a loaf of bread, a cup of coffee, a newspaper. Some days those purchases are more significant – a car for example, or a new TV. However, it’s not very often we make life-changing purchases. For some though, a hearing aid can be just that: life changing.
Suddenly a night at a restaurant with friends means you can get involved in the conversation without straining. Relationships with family members improve – you don’t have to ask them the same question twice and they aren’t infuriated by repetition. Even watching a movie takes on a whole new dimension.
Hearing aids don’t come cheap though. Prices can range anywhere from €500 to €5,000, so getting the most out of your hearing aid at a price you can afford is a delicate balance.
With a significant range of technologies on the market, Irish Country Living spoke to Kay Lewis, owner and senior audiologist at Audiology Medical Services, to find out more.
“The amount of choice consumers have now is remarkable. Our range starts at €1,500 and goes right up to €5,500, so how do you decide between an essential device and a premium? Well the extent of your hearing loss is, of course, a consideration. However, it is not solely the determining factor.
“What people need to bear in mind is their lifestyle. For example, we could see two people with the same level of hearing loss. One is a lady that leads quite a sedentary life, she is at home a lot, goes to bingo once a week and has a small family. The other works part time, loves going to restaurants with friends at the weekend and has grandchildren over for dinner every Sunday. Although the quality of hearing with both these patients is the same, we would make very different recommendations to them.”
As you go up in price, you are opting for technology that is more automatic and can adapt seamlessly to different environments.
“There is a myriad of different options available,” says Kay. “You can choose from behind-the-ear options, the more discreet in-ear options, and one of the real success stories is the hearing aid where the battery can be re-charged, just like the way you charge your mobile phone. No need for messing around with batteries.
“Another option is by a company called Lyric, where the hearing aid is inserted about 4mm from your ear drum. It is inserted by professionals and stays there for 12 weeks before a new one is fitted. This works very well for people with dementia because it doesn’t have to be removed at night. So if there is a security issue or a fire alarm, they can hear it. It gives family an added peace of mind.”
This is just one of the added extras that people are willing to pay for, which enhances their wellbeing. In fact, you wouldn’t believe some of the features available, but it all makes sense as the sole reasoning for their development is to improve people’s lives. Kay says: “There is an option, for example, called a mini-mic. So if you are going to a wedding or an event where there is a lot of noise, the person you are going with wears the mini-mic, which is very discreet, and despite the background noise you will be able to hear what they are saying clearly.
“You might, for example, feel that your life would benefit from an added extra called the Roger Pen. This is an item which looks just like a pen that you can place discreetly on a boardroom table. The mic picks up everyone’s voices and via Bluetooth you can hear the whole conversation with no issues. If you were a professional who has hearing issues and it was effecting your work or your business, a feature like this can make the world of difference.”
This is why it's so important to visit a practitioner that doesn't just look at your hearing loss, but takes a holistic look at your life
There are also features such as wind noise reduction.
“If golfing and a chat with your friends on the green is the highlight of your week, this is a feature you may really value. There is also a feature called a TV link. You can turn up the volume all you want on your TV, but this is then distorting the sound, which doesn’t solve the problem.”
This is just a small selection of examples that demonstrate how hearing aids can be adapted to your life.
“This is why it’s so important to visit a practitioner that doesn’t just look at your hearing loss, but takes a holistic look at your life. In general, the industry is pretty well regulated, but it can be improved. Many of the audiologists are operating full time, to a high standard and are members of the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (ISHAA). However, we still hear stories of people working full time at the HSE by day and selling hearing aids by night. We also hear clients say that their hearing aid doesn’t work and is thrown in a drawer somewhere. The hearing aid is a mechanical device, it’s not that it doesn’t work. Instead, they were not given good advice and it’s not appropriate for them.”
As a result, Kay says that when looking at the prices, ask what is included.
“If it’s just the hearing aid itself, well you can just buy a device off the internet. Clients that visit us have an evaluation. This isn’t just an objective auditory test, which looks at the degree of your hearing loss, we also carry out a subjective questionnaire which analyses your individual needs.
Also, remember to ask if the following is included in the price or is an added extra:
What tests are included in your consultation?Does it include fitting and verification of your device?What follow up care is offered? Are you offered free return visits?Are batteries included?What warranty is offered? Many offer two or three-year warranties. Audiology Medical Services offer five years, which includes many services.It’s important to realise that the device is only one element of the cost, the service you are provided also holds a value. With significant costs, there is Government support to help when you are making your purchase. If you are eligible for the PRSI Treatment Benefit Scheme, the Department of Social Protection will pay for half of the cost of a hearing aid, up to a maximum of €500 for a single aid, or to up €1,000 for a pair. You can also claim up to 50% off repairs and replacement hearing aids too.
Listen to "What do to if you're suffering from hearing loss" on Spreaker.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: