Conquering Financial Challenges When Purchasing Hearing Devices

While hearing devices can be life-changing, their price can be a barrier for many people. About 50 to 64% of older Americans who could benefit from hearing care technology cite “cost” as their major blockage in deciding whether to make a purchase.1

If you or someone you know is one of them, here are a few tips to make buying hearing devices easier on you—and your budget.

Check Your Private Health Insurance Coverage

While most plans don’t cover the entire cost of hearing devices, some will pay a portion. If your plan has a hearing health benefit, you will likely need to meet your deductible before your insurance covers any hearing device costs.

Determine if You Qualify for Government Assistance Programs

Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the VA, Tricare and Workers’ Compensation are some programs that offer financial assistance for hearing devices. It’s worth looking into these programs to see if you’re eligible; however, be aware that some of them may limit the type of hearing technology and level of follow-up care you can receive.

Explore Financing Plans Offered by Your Provider

These plans let you pay for your devices over time, making the cost more manageable. CareCredit®, a health and wellness credit card, allows you to pay for any deductibles or treatments your health insurance doesn’t cover, including hearing devices.

Think About Your Future Happiness

The long-term benefits of investing in high-quality hearing devices are worth considering. While the upfront cost may be significant, the positive impact of being able to hear properly can be invaluable. Evidence shows that 87% of hearing device users report that hearing devices improve their overall quality of life.2

Want to learn more about your options for paying for hearing devices or need to schedule an appointment? Contact our team today.

1 The Hearing Review. (n.d.). Tips for overcoming financial hurdles when buying a hearing aid. https://consumer.hearingreview.com/tips-for-overcoming-financial-hurdles-when-buying-a-hearing-aid/

2 Picou, EM. (2020). MarkeTrak 10 (MT10) survey results demonstrate high satisfaction with and benefits from hearing aids. https://europepmc.org/article/med/32047346

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The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/