Monday, March 5, 2007

Medicare and Hearing Aids

While approximately .08% of children born in the U.S. have some degree of hearing impairment, the vast majority of audio-impaired people are over age 50. Because the people in this age range often have limited resources for health coverage, purchasing hearing aids can be financially difficult.

It is not unusual for older people to procrastinate about going to hearing evaluations. They usually know if they are losing their hearing and know that hearing aids are expensive. If they are uninsured or underinsured, they may have trouble making such a purchase.

Unfortunately for those without private health insurance, hearing aids may have to be purchased out-of-pocket. The debate of the issue of Medicare and hearing aids has been a lengthy and ongoing battle. With only a few exceptions, Medicare continues to exclude hearing aid coverage in both of the plans: A & B. Even people who purchase additional Medigap policies through private insurance companies will not receive hearing aid coverage.

Luckily, however, over the past few years, Medicare has increased health coverage options. Some seniors now have the option of a Medicare HMO plan. Similar to private HMO’s, seniors must choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and only visit doctors and specialists in their particular network. By paying a small co-payment each time they visit a physician, they are able to save money on premiums and often get additional benefits.

If Medicare and hearing aids are of concern to you, you should become a wise consumer. Learn as much as you can about the Medicare HMO you plan to choose and make sure that they offer additional benefits such as vision care and hearing aids. These plans will generally offer services for auditory evaluations and fittings for the hearing aid. Medicare sometimes pays the full amount and other times you may be asked to meet a deductible. It depends on your specific coverage.

Digital Hearing Aids provides detailed information on Hearing Aids, Digital Hearing Aids, Discount Hearing Aids, Disposable Hearing Aids and more. Digital Hearing Aids is affiliated with High Blood Pressure Treatments.

article's source : www.Amazines.com
 
posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 8:51 PM, | 0 comments
Friday, February 23, 2007

The Advantages of Programmable Hearing Aids

People need hearing aids for a variety of reasons. Perhaps your hearing is degenerating due to normal aging, or perhaps you have undergone a serious illness that resulted in moderate hearing loss. Whatever the reason, if you have mild to moderate hearing impairment, it is likely that a hearing aid can help to better your quality of life.

Conventional hearing aids are the analog variety and are non-programmable. This means that they have one setting that cannot be changed or altered. With these models, you may experience sensitivity to background noise without the option to filter. Though many believe that these models are better than no hearing aid at all, with today’s advanced technology, other options are available.

Programmable, or digital hearing aids are designed and programmed specifically for each individual. After you have had a hearing examination, your audiologist will determine the level of your hearing loss and what product best suits your needs. He or she can then program the device for your particular type of hearing loss.
Some of these programmable devices offer the patient the option to change settings. You are able to control the volume as well as the input of loud and soft sounds. Generally, the models do not have volume controls; they are programmed to automatically adjust to changing conditions.

Programmable hearing aids use computer technology. Because of advanced digital computer technology, these aids are able to accommodate a wide range of needs. In the past, when a patient’s hearing worsened, they would have to order and purchase a whole new device. With today’s programmable hearing aids, the patient or audiologist can simply reset the hearing aid to function at the patient’s level of hearing loss.
Leaps in technological advancement have increased the quality of life for many people with hearing loss. From digital hearing aids capable of retrieving a greater range of sounds to programmable hearing aids, the world is rapidly become a friendlier place for the hearing impaired. Most consumers of programmable hearing aids sing the praises of this wonderful technology and cannot imagine going back to a world of non-programmable, analog hearing aids.

Digital Hearing Aids provides detailed information on Hearing Aids, Digital Hearing Aids, Discount Hearing Aids, Disposable Hearing Aids and more. Digital Hearing Aids is affiliated with High Blood Pressure Treatments.
 
posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 7:35 PM, | 0 comments