Hearing Systems, Inc.

Revised 01/18/2012

 

HEARING AID INFORMATION                                                       

 

After your complete Audiologic/Hearing Evaluation, it maybe determined that you are a candidate for amplification.   The subsequent steps involved in the selection and fitting of an appropriate hearing aid(s), follow-up services, and maintenance services are outlined below.

 

Step 1:   THE HEARING AID CONSULTATION

 

          The purpose of this evaluation is to select a specific hearing aid for your use. The hearing healthcare professional/audiologist will demonstrate available types of aids, and discuss your preference. The pros and cons of each type of fitting will be discussed with you at this time, including prices. An impression of your ears may be taken and sent to the appropriate manufacturer or earmold lab. We will also schedule an appointment  to fit the hearing aid(s).

 

Step 2:   THE HEARING AID FITTING

 

          When the hearing aid arrives, we will fit your hearing aids and instruct you in the use and   care of the hearing aid.   Payment in full is required at this time. Any contractual arrangements must be made prior to this time.

 

          You are entitled to a 30, to 45 day trial period when purchasing an aid. This trial period begins the day the aid is dispensed to you.   The trial period will allow you to use the aid in your home and work environment. Usually, two follow-ups will occur during your trial period (see Follow Up below). If problems arise during this period you should contact the audiologist, who will be able to make changes in your aid to help overcome these problems.   Regular contact with the audiologist/hearing aid dispenser during this trial period will allow you to make the most of this trial period.

 

          FULL Payment is required when the hearing aid is dispensed. Other arrangements must be made prior to this.   Anytime during the 30 to 45 day trial period, you may return the aid if you are not satisfied.   All moneys will be refunded except for $100.00 for the conventional type amplification or $200.00 for computer programmable/Digital aids, which covers testing and administrative costs. Earmold fees are non-refundable.   See your contract for exact dispensing dates and fees.

 

Step 3:   THE HEARING AID FOLLOW UP

    

          Within the 30-45 day trial period, YOU will be responsible to schedule and keep an appointment for a follow-up visits at NO-CHARGE.   You will be tested / evaluated with your aid to determine if it is

 

  providing adequate aided benefit. More than one (1) and up to 3 follow up appointment(s) may be required to adjust and tune your hearing aid. Please call if you have any questions or if you need assistance during this time. Subsequent follow ups are usually included for the first year at NO CHARGE, and often extended into the full warranty period of the aid, depending on the frequency of follow ups. This does NOT include hearing tests.

 

APPROXIMATE COSTS INVOLVED IN OUR PROGRAM

 

1. Complete Audiometric Evaluation:       $80.00**, (Includes Air and Bone Conduction, Speech Discrimination, Most Comfortable Levels, Uncomfortable Loudness Levels, Tympanometry.)

 

2.   Hearing aid consultation:      $80.00**:   (Includes computer analysis of hearing aid, Aided Performance Audio, any adjustments and changes to improve the performance of your present aid.)  

 ** These fees are waived if new hearing aid is purchased through our office.

 

3. Approximate Hearing aid costs:    Hearing aid prices range from $700.00 up to $3000.00 depending on model, style and features requested.

 

            Basic Model terminology/acronyms:      ITC - In The Canal

                                                                        ITE – In The Ear

                                                                        BTE – Behind The Ear

                                                                        CIC – Completely In the Canal

                                                                        RITE/RIC – Receiver In The Canal

 

We sell all models of hearing aids from Oticon, Unitron, Phonak, GN Resound, Siemens and Starkey among others.

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Most all aids come with a   TWO YEAR Warranty and one year of insurance (Loss/Damage), while some have one year and even 3 year warranties.   All aids are eligible for extended warranties, please ask for specific quote. Behind the ear aids require an earmold ($60.00/each).   Special hearing aid arrangements such as   CROS, bicros, Bone Conduction, etc. will be quoted at the time of the hearing aid consultation.

 

Discount for Purchase of Two Aids.   {may not apply to discount aids or insurance funded.}

Binaural (2) Hearing Aids - Double the cost, then subtract $100.00.

 

 

THE HEARING AID PRICE INCLUDES:

 

¨       The hearing aid

¨       Any   visits related to the use of the hearing aid during the 1 year period following the fitting.

¨       The earmold impression for in the ear hearing aids only.

¨        Initial supply of batteries.

¨       Complete service during the warranty period offered by the manufacturer.   Service after the warranty period is over will be billed at the time of service rendered.  Some manufacturers will offer additional warranty which can be purchased at the discretion of the user.   There is an additional charge for this warranty.   Insurance against loss/theft of the aid is available at an additional charge.   We recommend this to protect your investment.

¨       Programming of Digital/programmable aids is included in the price of the hearing aid for a period of the 1 year following dispensing of the hearing aid, a maximum of five hours of follow-up visits. After that reprogramming will be billed at $80.00 (1hr) and $40.00 per half hour as needed. This policy takes effect after the one year anniversary date ends.

 

FOLLOW-UP MAINTENANCE/REPAIRS     Our available services are as follows:

 

            REPAIRS :   We will be happy to send your aids in to the manufacture for repair when they are broken. You will be without your aid for approximately 7 to 10 working days if it requires repair at the factory.   Repair costs will be quoted on a flat fee basis with a 12-month warranty. In house repairs will take a couple of days at most, but this cannot be guaranteed.

 

            BATTERIES: Batteries, from $8.50 for an 8 pack package of Rayovac Premium Ultra Zinc-Air and up, can be mailed to your home when requested (there is no shipping charge). For qualified customers an invoice can be included, and payment can be returned to our office.   Batteries may also be picked up at the office during regular office hours. Discounts for quantities are available.

 

            MISCELLANEOUS : Minor problems, such as earmold tubing replacement and some battery doors, will be taken care of in the office. For earmold remakes, impressions will be taken in the office at a scheduled appointment and then sent to an earmold laboratory for completion.

 

LOANER HEARING AIDS:

 

     During the time any behind the ear aid is in for repair you may request a loaner aid if one is available.   Loaners for patients with in the ear aids will not be available due to a lack of custom ear molds for these patients, however every attempt will be made to fit you with a stock temporary earmold.   We suggest In The Ear users purchase a custom earmold for such emergencies. Because of short supply of loaners we encourage all patients to retain their own “old” hearing aids for this purpose as the loaner we provide will   NOT have the same features or ability as ones current aid. Monaural hearing aid wearers will also have preference for loaners as they will not have the luxury of a working secondary aid. We do not supply loaners to clients who are actively in the process of obtaining new hearing aids, that will ultimately be addressed by the trial period.

 

Please feel free to call and discuss any questions concerning   the hearing aid you may have with the audiologist.

 

 

 

COMPLAINTS TO:

    

State Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology

            Complaints Management & Investigative Section

            PO Box 141369

            Austin, Texas    78714-1369

            (800) 942-5540

  

 

D. Max McCarthy, M.A., CCC-A

Audiologist/President   TX Lic #50426