Friday, September 7, 2007
Hearing Aid Tax Credit
Hearing aids are considered medical devices and are tax deductible. There may also be a tax credit if the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act - H.R. 414 passes legislation. Check with a tax preparation specialist or accountant for more information on this. And find more about advocating this bill at the American Academy of Audiology website.
Financial Assistance and Hearing Aids
There are many programs that assist patients in the purchase of hearing aids.
This is not a complete list
This is not a complete list
- Low-income programs (typically less than 200% national poverty levels). Obtain hearing aids for a greatly reduced cost HearNow, Audient, Lion's Club, Rotary, etc. Many programs will have a 2-3 month wait time.
- Programs for Veterans depending on service (we can help you determine your qualifications).
- Working adults and college students may be eligible to receive assistance through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Children age 21 and under can obtain coverage through the Medical Assistance (ACCESS) program in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Children can also receive special services through the school system whether public, private, or charter school.
At HearWell Center we will help you determine your qualifications for such programs and help you understand the limitations as well. Financial assistance programs will generally dictate the type of hearing aids allowed.
Financing Hearing Aids
Financing plans are great for those that find a monthly payment plan is most desirable.
At our office we generally use third party financing who can offer promotions such as no-interest for 3 or 6 months.
Here's what to expect with financing options:
At our office we generally use third party financing who can offer promotions such as no-interest for 3 or 6 months.
Here's what to expect with financing options:
- You can expect to apply for financing as you would a credit card.
- Interest is often compounded if you do not pay off the balance by the end of the promotional period.
- The interest rate can be very high after the promotional period is over.
The well-advised consumer can benefit greatly from financing options.
Promotional plans vary so call for more information.
Are Two Ears Better?
Two ears are better than one.
Hearing loss is more complicated than most people think. Your ears are an instrument that communicates to your brain the information about the auditory world around you. When your hearing is "less than perfect" the brain receives only part of the information it needs to be aware and fully comprehend what it is hearing. So, for instance...with both ears functioning you can localize the direction of sound; is it coming from the left or the right? With both ears you can pick apart the different aspects of sound; is that noise I am hearing? is someone talking to me in the car? is there a piano playing in the bar? With both ears you can understand more clearly; is that person saying "I love my cat" or "I love my hat"? With both ears you can feel more balanced and natural.
If you are unfortunately left with only one functioning ear all the above mentioned benefits are diminished or completely disappear. If you have usable hearing in both ears, use both ears and benefit fully from hearing aids.
With very few exceptions most people with hearing loss in both ears will perform better with two hearing aids.
Search Keywords: Binaural hearing; Binaural benefit; Unilateral hearing loss; Auditory Deprivation
Hearing loss is more complicated than most people think. Your ears are an instrument that communicates to your brain the information about the auditory world around you. When your hearing is "less than perfect" the brain receives only part of the information it needs to be aware and fully comprehend what it is hearing. So, for instance...with both ears functioning you can localize the direction of sound; is it coming from the left or the right? With both ears you can pick apart the different aspects of sound; is that noise I am hearing? is someone talking to me in the car? is there a piano playing in the bar? With both ears you can understand more clearly; is that person saying "I love my cat" or "I love my hat"? With both ears you can feel more balanced and natural.
If you are unfortunately left with only one functioning ear all the above mentioned benefits are diminished or completely disappear. If you have usable hearing in both ears, use both ears and benefit fully from hearing aids.
With very few exceptions most people with hearing loss in both ears will perform better with two hearing aids.
Search Keywords: Binaural hearing; Binaural benefit; Unilateral hearing loss; Auditory Deprivation
Guidelines for when to visit an Audiologist
Here are some general guidelines to follow when choosing who to visit first for your hearing or vestibular disorder:
For Emergencies such as sudden, dramatic hearing loss, extreme pain, excessive bleeding, and head injuries please visit your local emergency room.
See an audiologist for hearing or vestibular conditions that have occurred gradually without incident or injury to your ears. Audiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and vestibular disorders. You can see an audiologist at anytime in the course of your treatment for a hearing or vestibular disorder. Audiologists will refer you to a medical specialist if symptoms and/or diagnosis are questionable or an obvious medical condition exists. Often hearing loss is caused by factors that are not medically treatable such as age, long-term noise exposure or hereditary hearing loss. Seeing an audiologist first can help you determine the best course of treatment for your hearing loss.
Audiologists have specialized training in the treatment of hearing loss including hearing aids, assistive devices, alerting devices, treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ear), treatment of hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud sound), treatment of auditory processing disorders, and other disorders that affect hearing. Physicians rarely have this knowledge and unless they have attended an audiology degree program they would not be able to provide these services in a comprehensive manner without referral to an audiologist.
See a physician for any obvious medical conditions: sudden and dramatic changes in hearing, pain, drainage, unusual odor, injury, bleeding, skin lesions, debilitating dizziness and vertigo, etc. Physicians can prescribe medications or imaging (CT Scan or MRI) if necessary. Some physicians can also perform surgery where hearing loss is reversible.
In some offices you will find audiologists and physicians working side-by-side within the same practice. Today it is more common for physicians and audiologists to have independent practices and refer to each other when needed. Many insurance plans do not require a referral to be seen by and audiologist, however it is recommended that you confirm coverage before making an appointment to be seen.
Medicare patients are currently required to provide a referral from a physician for coverage of audiological services. In time Medicare patients will have the option to see an audiologist directly just as you have the option to see a Dentist, Optometrist or Chiropractor without a referral. Currently those under federal health plans are allowed direct access to audiologists. Would you like to have the same privilege and the ability to control your healthcare decisions when it comes to your hearing care? This will depend on the passing of Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 (HR 1665- the Direct Access bill) and you can help by contacting your government officials through this website sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology.
HearWell Center strives to meet the needs of each individual patient by working as a team with the other medical specialists in the community. We will communicate with your family doctor and any specialist you see where necessary to ensure proper follow up and treatment.
For Emergencies such as sudden, dramatic hearing loss, extreme pain, excessive bleeding, and head injuries please visit your local emergency room.
See an audiologist for hearing or vestibular conditions that have occurred gradually without incident or injury to your ears. Audiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and vestibular disorders. You can see an audiologist at anytime in the course of your treatment for a hearing or vestibular disorder. Audiologists will refer you to a medical specialist if symptoms and/or diagnosis are questionable or an obvious medical condition exists. Often hearing loss is caused by factors that are not medically treatable such as age, long-term noise exposure or hereditary hearing loss. Seeing an audiologist first can help you determine the best course of treatment for your hearing loss.
Audiologists have specialized training in the treatment of hearing loss including hearing aids, assistive devices, alerting devices, treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ear), treatment of hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud sound), treatment of auditory processing disorders, and other disorders that affect hearing. Physicians rarely have this knowledge and unless they have attended an audiology degree program they would not be able to provide these services in a comprehensive manner without referral to an audiologist.
See a physician for any obvious medical conditions: sudden and dramatic changes in hearing, pain, drainage, unusual odor, injury, bleeding, skin lesions, debilitating dizziness and vertigo, etc. Physicians can prescribe medications or imaging (CT Scan or MRI) if necessary. Some physicians can also perform surgery where hearing loss is reversible.
In some offices you will find audiologists and physicians working side-by-side within the same practice. Today it is more common for physicians and audiologists to have independent practices and refer to each other when needed. Many insurance plans do not require a referral to be seen by and audiologist, however it is recommended that you confirm coverage before making an appointment to be seen.
Medicare patients are currently required to provide a referral from a physician for coverage of audiological services. In time Medicare patients will have the option to see an audiologist directly just as you have the option to see a Dentist, Optometrist or Chiropractor without a referral. Currently those under federal health plans are allowed direct access to audiologists. Would you like to have the same privilege and the ability to control your healthcare decisions when it comes to your hearing care? This will depend on the passing of Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 (HR 1665- the Direct Access bill) and you can help by contacting your government officials through this website sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology.
HearWell Center strives to meet the needs of each individual patient by working as a team with the other medical specialists in the community. We will communicate with your family doctor and any specialist you see where necessary to ensure proper follow up and treatment.
What is an Au.D.?
Au.D. is a degree designation that stands for Doctor of Audiology.
Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) is the most common degree earned in order to practice audiology today. You may also see audiologist who have Master's degrees (M.A. or M.S. or M.Ed.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). An Au.D. is a clinical degree that can be used in many ways. Audiologists holding an Au.D. can practice clinical audiology, they can perform research and they can teach.
It is necessary in most of the United States to have an Au.D. in order to obtain a license to practice audiology today. Master's Degree programs are being phased out however, audiologists practicing with their Master's Degree or equivalent will continue under the licensure laws that were in place at the time that they were originally licensed. Some audiologists have chosen to complete this level of education by going back to school and earning the Au.D. and others have decided to continue practicing with their Master's or equivalent degree.
You can learn more about the Au.D. and the profession of audiology by visiting these links:
Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) http://www.audiologist.org/
American Academy of Audiology (AAA) http://www.audiology.org/
Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) is the most common degree earned in order to practice audiology today. You may also see audiologist who have Master's degrees (M.A. or M.S. or M.Ed.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). An Au.D. is a clinical degree that can be used in many ways. Audiologists holding an Au.D. can practice clinical audiology, they can perform research and they can teach.
It is necessary in most of the United States to have an Au.D. in order to obtain a license to practice audiology today. Master's Degree programs are being phased out however, audiologists practicing with their Master's Degree or equivalent will continue under the licensure laws that were in place at the time that they were originally licensed. Some audiologists have chosen to complete this level of education by going back to school and earning the Au.D. and others have decided to continue practicing with their Master's or equivalent degree.
You can learn more about the Au.D. and the profession of audiology by visiting these links:
Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) http://www.audiologist.org/
American Academy of Audiology (AAA) http://www.audiology.org/
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