A purchase always comes with a price. In the Quebec market, the price of the hearing aid may include the hearing aid manufacturer’s fees, warranty, accessories, batteries, etc. This varies from one clinic to another. It is therefore important to know the price inclusions in order to make an informed and profitable choice.
HEARING AID PRICES: FIND OUT ABOUT INCLUSIONS
A purchase always comes with a price. In the Quebec market, the price of the hearing aid may include the hearing aid manufacturer’s fees, warranty, accessories, batteries, etc. This varies from one clinic to another. It is therefore important to know the price inclusions in order to make an informed and profitable choice.
CONCERNING THE FEES OF THE HEARING CARE PROFESSIONAL
Fees are much more than just an explanation of different hearing aids on your first visit. We will see later that hearing aids require an adaptation period. It is the role of the hearing care professional to support you in this adaptation and make it a success.
Before choosing a hearing aid, choose your hearing care professional! He is your advisor of choice and will motivate you and help you to solve the difficulties encountered. He will be your ally for the lifetime of your hearing aids.
The lifetime of your devices can vary from 4 to 6 years. On average, you will meet with your hearing care professional 5 times in the first year and at least twice a year thereafter to ensure that your hearing instruments are still performing as expected and to monitor your hearing.
ABOUT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE PURCHASE OF HEARING AIDS
In addition, some organizations may reimburse the purchase price of hearing aids. During your hearing test, the audiologist will tell you if you are eligible for one of the government programs for the purchase of hearing aids. It may be a question of:
the RAMQ;
the CNESST (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail);
Veterans Affairs;
or Aboriginal Affairs.
Under each of these programs, you will have access to hearing aids according to a pre-approved list. The technological level is then decided in advance, it is up to you to decide if this one is suitable for you or if you want to buy another technology privately. Some private insurances may also cover a portion of the costs related to the purchase of hearing aids.
THE DAILY USE OF HEARING AIDS: NOT SO COMPLICATED!
ADAPTATION TO HEARING AIDS
As mentioned above, hearing aids require an adaptation period. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It is characterized by a loss of efficiency, or even the partial or total disappearance of auditory hair cells. Frequently, we also notice a disorder in the auditory cortex related to sensory deprivation. Knowing this, you will understand that it is not just a matter of increasing the sound level to hear again!
Indeed, in addition to increasing the sound level of certain frequencies, it will be necessary to somehow re-educate the ear and the brain to hear the sounds again. There is often a correlation between the time elapsed since the onset of hearing loss and the length of time it will take for rehabilitation.
Did you know that on average people wait 8.6 years before taking steps to correct their hearing? It’s a bit like having a knee injury untreated for 8 years, imagining the rehabilitation necessary to be able to resume jogging…
Ideally, your loved ones should be involved in your rehabilitation process since they will be able to better understand your situation. Unfortunately, we hear too often from children or spouses who expect the person with a hearing loss to be able to follow the conversation during the family brunch the day after their hearing loss. Your hearing care professional will be your personal coach to help you regain a quality of listening based on your residual hearing.
It is also essential to have a basic motivation to hear better. If it is your loved ones who force you to have a hearing test and get hearing aids, chances are your adaptation is compromised. A daily involvement on your part is necessary.
All hearing care professionals will tell you; to successfully adapt to hearing aids, you must wear them! Not if necessary, but as often as possible. It is normal, in the first few days, to have a gradual wearing time. Quite quickly, you will have to wear your hearing aids all day long, they assist your ears from morning to night. It’s a fact, ears never sleep, you’re lucky, you have to take off the hearing aids to sleep!