Hearing Center and Buying a Listening Aid - Some Considerations

Mar 11
11:25

2012

Ace Abbey

Ace Abbey

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You may want to visit a hearing center and get fitted for a listening aid if you've experienced auditory loss and want a way to cope with your new challenges. Once you've found a place you think you can trust, here are some considerations to think about before you buy.

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If you've experienced auditory loss and want a way to cope with your new challenges,Hearing Center and Buying a Listening Aid - Some Considerations Articles you may want to visit a hearing center and get fitted for a listening aid. While these devices will never be a perfect solution, they can help tremendously. Of course, not every establishment selling these devices is going to be of the same quality. Check some reviews before you head out. You may even want to take a look at the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any formal complaints filed by customers. Once you've found a place you think you can trust, here are some considerations to think about before you buy.

Trial Period

Often, a hearing center will add in a trial period of a certain length when you purchase a listening aid. This is a good thing to have in your contract, because it will be hard to tell in the beginning whether or not you like your device. This period is sometimes even required by the state. Check with your local laws to see whether or not this is the case.

Warranty

As with any electronic device, you can get a lemon. Your device may be shoddily made and break within the first month. Since these aids can be expensive and are usually not covered by insurance, it is nice to know you are covered if something like this happens. Know the details of your warranty before you buy one. Ask the hearing center if you can get an extension on the basic terms of the warranty. Know what is covered and what isn't. Finally, make sure you know where to go and what to do should you need to file a claim.

Loan Device

If you do need to bring your device in for repairs, check with the hearing center to see if they can provide you with a loan device in the meantime. It's unfair to expect you to go back to a world of muffled sounds for even a few days while you wait for your device to get working again. The loan device may not be a match for your specific aid, but it can be a help in the meantime.

Price

There are a lot of listening aids and devices out there. Make sure your local hearing center gives you some options when it comes to price. You don't want to buy something just because the technician wants to make a bigger sale.