There are several models of hearing aids to choose from including behind-the-ear ( BTE ), in-the-ear ( ITE ), in-the-canal ( ITC ), and completely-in-the-canal ( CIC ). BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear with an ear mold connected to them to deliver the sound to the ear. ITE, ITC, and CIC hearing aids are contained in the ear. The ITE fills your ear completely, the ITC fills about half the bowl of your ear, and the CIC is in the ear canal with the face at the opening of the canal.
The primary function and benefit of a digital hearing aid is cleaner sound quality compared to earlier analog products. Digital processors use filters to clean up the sound before it is sent to the hearing aids receiver. Many hearing aids have microphone noise reduction and environmental noise reduction systems that reduce the unwanted sounds before being sent to the receiver. The end result is clearer, more comfortable sound. Noise reduction systems vary in their effectiveness, with the most effective found in the latest ( and most expensive ) technology. Digital hearing aids are usually computer programmable. This means we can change the settings on your hearing aids in the office so you do not have to be without your hearing aids. It also means we can be much more precise in fitting your loss than ever before. Digital hearing aids allow us to control a multitude of functions so there are very few problems that cannot be overcome through proper programming.

Perhaps the most useful addition one can get on their digital hearing aid is a Directional Microphone System. These work to reduce the sound from behind coming into the hearing aid. When you enter a noisy environment ( restaurants, parties, baseball games ), you push a button on the hearing aid to activate the Direction Microphone System. The hearing aid will beep to let you know the settings have been changed. Sounds coming from behind will be amplified less than sounds from the front, reducing the interference of those noises with the sounds your trying to hear in front of you. Some directional microphones are adaptive. This means the hearing aids will track loud sounds behind you even if they are moving. The most advanced directional microphones are capable of suppressing multiple sound sources at the same time. Directional microphones can be activated automatically or manually, or both, depending on the hearing aids. Directional microphones are available on ITC hearing aids and larger models, but we feel their benefit far outweighs the problem of size. We counsel people all the time that the only people that generally notice hearing aids are those that wear them, and those that work with them.

Another excellent feature found in many digital hearing aids is Feedback Cancellation. There are several forms of feedback cancellation on the market today, some more effective than others. The discussion of how they work can get complicated, so for the sake of brevity, we will keep it simple. Feedback, that terrible high pitch squeal, occurs when sound from the receiver loops back to the microphone, and it happens for a variety of reasons. Most hearing aid wearers will experience feedback when they put their hand over their ear, or the phone to their ear. This is because they are blocking the sound that comes out of the vent ( an air hole in the aid for pressure relief ) and forcing it back on the microphone. Feedback will also occur if a hearing aid does not fit properly, or if a component is faulty, or if the hearing aid is not properly adjusted. Think of the person at church or in a meeting whose hearing aid keeps squealing.

This is why it is so important to work with a trained professional that knows what they are doing. Earwax in the ear canal will also cause feedback, because the sound will bounce off the wax and come back out of the ear. If the physical fit is bad, the adjustments are wrong, a component has failed, or the ear canal is blocked with wax, feedback is our first clue.

Feedback cancellation products were developed to help with the problem associated with telephones, wearing hats, hugs, combing hair, etc. They are not meant to stop feedback as a result of a poor fit, adjustment, wax in the ear, or component failure. Most current feedback cancellation systems in use today will control the feedback either before it happens, or within seconds of its occurrence. How they do it is not as important as the fact that they do work. Because feedback is so highly annoying we strongly recommend purchasing hearing aids that have feedback cancellation. Your hearing aid professional can help you with this decision.

There are also a variety of wearer activated controls available on hearing aids. Many have volume controls so you may manually adjust the loudness of your hearing aid. Push buttons are used when the hearing aid has multiple memories available for different listening situations. The wearer simply pushes the button and the hearing aid activates the directional microphones to reduce noise from behind, the telecoil for talking on the phone, or a variety of functions designed to enhance your listening experience. Some products are available with remote controls to change the hearing aid settings.

As you can see there are a lot of choices to make when determining the right hearing aid for you. And because we are all so uniquely different, it’s very hard to know what works for you until you try it. That’s why at AidRight Hearing Aids we insist our clients meet with a trained Audiologist or Hearing Aid Specialist to help them through the decision making process. That’s also why we allow a 45 day trial period to give you ample time to be sure your hearing aid is right for you.

How do I purchase hearing aids from AidRight?

When you call or email, your case is assigned to one of our experienced hearing aid consultants
Your consultant will review your case and discuss your needs. They will answer your questions and go over differences in hearing aid brands and models

Next, they will inform you of AidRight Hearing Aids' policies and guarantees

AidRight Hearing Aids will then contact an approved clinic in your area, which will contact you to set up an appointment for a no obligation hearing test. After your hearing test, they will discuss the results and make recommendations as to what hearing aids will work best for you based on your hearing loss, finances, and lifestyle considerations. You are under no obligation to purchase. If you need time to think or talk about your decision with loved ones, please do! We want you to feel confident about your decision, so please call your AidRight Hearing Aids representative with any questions.

If you are ready to go forward, they will take ear impressions if necessary and order your hearing aids.
Payment for your new hearing aids will be due at this time. Payment is made directly to the hearing aid center. You may use check, cash, money order, or whatever form of credit card the center accepts. If you wish to use a payment plan, most centers are able to process the application for you. If for some reason they cannot, you may call AidRight Hearing Aids' Customer Service to process your information.

The clinic will receive your order typically within 2 weeks. If you need to place a rush order we will accommodate your request. Rush orders usually take about 5 days to process and there is an additional fee. When the clinic receives your order they will contact you for an appointment to perform the initial fitting.

All AidRight hearing aids come with a 45 day trial period beginning on the day you are fit with your hearing aids. If you are not satisfied with your hearing aids you have two options:

1) You may return the hearing aids and order a different product. This is not unusual as your hearing is very personal and unique. The hearing aid that works well with one person may not work well with another. Your satisfaction is our top priority! If you try different hearing aids your 45 day trial period will start over when the new hearing aids are fit.

2) You may return your hearing aids for a full refund less a restocking fee of $100 per hearing aid. This is to compensate our dispensers for their time and effort, and to cover shipping costs.


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How is the local clinic compensated?

Clinics are compensated for their services by AidRight Hearing Aids. Their compensation is included in the price of the hearing aids. The recommendations they make are based solely on your individual needs. Each clinic is carefully evaluated by AidRight Hearing Aids to ensure the highest level of service. All our providers are required to keep current with the established best practices in Audiology and the latest developments in hearing aid technology.

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Do you sell Beltone, Miracle Ear, or Audibel?

Beltone, Miracle Ear, and Audibel hearing aids are manufactured by other companies and merely labeled with the franchise name at a higher price. In most cases you will be able to save money - by choosing the Manufacturer Brand instead. Beltone hearing aids are made by GN ReSound, Miracle Ear hearing aids are made by Siemens, and Audibel hearing aids by Starkey.

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Does insurance cover the cost of Hearing Aids?

Most private pay insurance plans do not cover hearing aids, but there are exceptions. You should check with your insurance carrier to find out if they provide any benefit. Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids. If you do have hearing aid coverage, we will provide you with the information to obtain direct reimbursement from your insurance company. If your insurance company has negotiated pricing plans ( discounted hearing aid pricing ), we may be able to offer special discounts to keep your out of pocket cost the same. Our experience has been that generally these types of plans have pricing that is already higher than ours.