But I’m Not Old - Hearing Aids Aren’t For Me, Are They?

Hearing loss happens to people of all ages. Getting hearing aids is not a sign you're old; it just means you've decided to get some help overcoming a challenge. If you're worried about seeming old because you have hearing aids, consider how hearing aids will help you stay actively involved in the world around you. You'll feel younger if you're able to understand the conversations around you and remain involved in the activities you enjoy.

My Hearing Loss Isn’t That Bad! Can’t I Wait A While For Hearing Aids?

We don’t recommend it. One of the most important reasons to get treatment for hearing loss as early as possible is to minimize the risk of auditory deprivation. Auditory deprivation is when you have a difficult time recognizing speech due to hearing loss because part of the brain has stopped receiving certain signals (such as sounds) for a long time. Once a part of your brain has been dormant for a while, you may not be able to get that understanding back - or it might take extensive retraining and therapy.

I Think My Hearing Is Too Bad For Hearing Aids. Can Hearing Aids Even Help With Severe Hearing Loss?

Yes! Hearing aid technology has improved greatly in the past few years, so in many cases, we're able to treat even profound hearing loss in individuals. Don't give up just because you worry that your hearing loss is too severe to be helped. Even if you have near or total loss in one ear, we may be able to use BiCROS technology in your better ear to give you a full range of sound.

Can't I Just Save Money By Buying Hearing Aids At A Big Box Store?

Put simply - this strategy isn’t worth it. Although the price tag may be cheaper, big box stores sell hearing aids as a stand-alone product - i.e. without support. ZN Audiology, like other audiological practices, does more than sell hearing aids. We also provide professional services and ongoing hearing healthcare. 

Another important difference is the quality of hearing devices you get from a store versus what we carry. We offer the latest possible technology, while many stores carry out-of-date models. In fact, many of our patients come to see us because they purchased hearing aids from a store and were dissatisfied with the results.

With that in mind, we promise to provide access to affordable hearing aids that are reasonably priced in accordance with their functionality.

Do Hearing Aids Start Working Right Away?

You'll definitely notice improvements the moment you're first fitted with your new hearing aids, and they will only continue to get better over time. You will quickly be hearing sounds you might not have heard for years or even decades. 

Of course, it’s important to note that as your ears adjust to hearing with your new hearing aids, it will become harder to hear without them. In fact, people sometimes think that their hearing is worse after getting hearing aids - but what actually happens is they've gotten used to hearing better while they're wearing the hearing aids!

How Do I Find The Right Hearing Aid For Me?

Every person has different hearing needs. The good news is that hearing aids offer a great deal of customization. After all, if you have profound hearing loss, you need something different from your hearing aids then you would if you had mild hearing loss. If you lead an active lifestyle, you'll benefit more from higher-end technology than someone who stays in quiet environments. 

At ZN Audiology, we personalize our recommendations to address your hearing loss and lifestyle. Our goal is to change lives and to help you get the most out of your hearing health.

Additionally, whatever we suggest to you is based on what we think would give you the best results while taking your budget into consideration. We'll walk you through your best choices while being honest and direct with you about what you can expect from different hearing aid options.

Do You Really Offer Affordable Hearing Aids?

Yes!

• We keep our prices low and offer various price points to accommodate your individual budget.
• We accept most major insurance carriers.
• We work with CareCredit to offer 12 months of payments without interest.

What's Included With Your Hearing Aids?

To ensure that your hearing aids continue serving you well, we will help you stay on top of regular cleaning and hearing aid repair and maintenance. We will specifically cover minor repairs, replacing filters, and deep-cleaning,

All hearing aids from ZN Audiology also come with a lifetime of free batteries. We strive to make hearing aids affordable for all patients, so we also offer options at different price points. In addition to the many options of hearing aid devices available for purchase, you also have the choice to buy bundled services.

• Bundled services mean you pay one fee when you buy hearing aids and then never have to worry about an office fee again for the life of your hearing aids. No matter how often you need to come in for a cleaning or readjustment, you won't have to pay anything more.
• Pay-as-you-go services are cheaper upfront, and then you only pay for the services you need at the time you need them. This is perfect for patients who want to lower their costs and will only come in once or twice a year for appointments.

What Will Determine The Cost Of My Hearing Aids?

The price point of hearing aids can vary based on their technological capabilities. More sophisticated technology generally costs more, but in return, you get more powerful noise cancelation and smarter processing. While selecting hearing aids it is important to ask: what kind of technology is right for you? Do you need all the bells and whistles, or would you be happy with something simpler? That depends entirely on your lifestyle and hearing loss. 

Will You Help Me Pick The Best Hearing Aids?

Yes! In order to find the right answer, we ask you questions about yourself so we can get to personally know you and your hearing needs:

1. Do you talk to many people, either at work or in your own time? Do you frequently have meetings or phone calls?
2. Do you spend time outdoors, at sporting events, or at concerts? Do you generally stay at home? Is most of your socializing one-on-one?
3. How interested are you in streaming phone calls or television directly to your hearing aids?
4. Are you comfortable changing batteries, or would you prefer rechargeable hearing devices?

Our priority is to match you with the right hearing aids based on your unique lifestyle, so we won’t try to sell you more expensive hearing aids if you don’t need them.

What Happens After I Pick My Hearing Aids?

Once you have picked your hearing aids, you’ll be scheduled for the appropriate follow-up appointments:

• We will fit and program your new hearing aids to your specific hearing loss. You will then wear your new hearing aids every day and write down any questions or problems you may have.
• You will return to our office in 2–3 weeks for a follow-up appointment so we can take care of any issues you may have noticed.
• You will pick up free hearing aid batteries every two months for the life of your hearing aids.
• You will come to visit us for an annual audiological evaluation.
• Finally, you will be able to schedule an appointment anytime you need it.

Do You Carry Specific Hearing Aid Styles And Brands?

Yes! We carry all of the following hearing aid styles:

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

Fits inside the ear and out of sight

In-the-Canal (ITC)

Custom-molded hearing aids that fit partly in the ear canal

In-the-Ear (ITE)

Custom made hearing aids that either fit in the full shell or the lower part of your outer ear

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)

Sit out of sight inside the ear canal

Reciever-in-the-Canal (RIC)

Uses small wires to connect a behind-the-ear hearing aid with the speaker or receiver in the canal or in the ear.

Many of our patients have severe hearing losses that are best treated by custom-fit hearing aids within the ear. For milder losses, receiver-in-canal hearing aids are a popular choice because they are virtually invisible and quite comfortable.

As an independent hearing aid practice, we're also free to offer our patients hearing aids from any manufacturer. This flexibility allows us to choose which hearing aids are best for you personally. We focus on brands that have provided the best results for our patients, such as Starkey, Phonak, and Oticon.