Not sure how to say this but I would not go by what Beltone says. And they are so expensive. They have been trying to get my husband for years. Beltone is that tiny aid, right?
Three years is the time a new hearing aide maybe needed. Doesn't mean it is though. Medicare does not cover hearing aides, I think it may cover an exam. My husbands supplimental pays for the Audiology and his hearing aides up to a certain price. Check to see if Dads does. My husband can only use the Audiologist that the suppliment recommends. Husband is allowed new hearing aides every 3 years. This last visit he was told his hearing aide was still good and nothing more they could do for him hearing wise. He has them cleaned ever 6 months and new tubing.
I took my Mom to an audiologist in her healthcare network. She then opted to purchase the hearing aids through Costco and we had an excellent experience. Also very convenient.
There should be a hearing exam by a licensed audiologist or ENT before such an expenditure. It’s best to go to an audiologist affiliated with a hospital or medical clinic, not an “hearing specialist” associated with a specific brand of hearing aid. Audiologists are providing medical care, and get paid whether they sell you a hearing aid or not. In my state (Michigan) people with far less training and oversight than an audiologist are allowed to administer hearing tests and sell hearing aids. I accompanied my dad to one of these less qualified people for a hearing test. He was ready to pay over 6K when they told him his hearing aids were too old. This seems predatory but apparently is perfectly legal. I insisted we get a second opinion and convinced him to see an audiologist, and she discovered a broken wire in his device and had it replaced within 30 minutes for free (and Medicare paid for his exam). He got 3 more years out of those hearing aids before he lost one. Then the same audiologist showed him all the features on his “old” aids that he wasn’t using and helped him select some less expensive new aids that suited him just fine.
Before new hearing aids he should have an exam. So many things can be the cause of hearing loss. Buildup of wax is a primary reason. AND if he is "cleaning " his ears he may be compacting wax making the situation worse. I saw a show and one person had 2 or 3 of the covers that go on the hearing aid compacted in the ear as well, they came off, remained in the ear and she never noticed. Exam first!
Who has told him he needs new hearing aids? Has he had his hearing tested by an audiologist or ENT? Your first step should be to have his hearing tested by a qualified professional then you can determine what he actually needs.
Three years is the time a new hearing aide maybe needed. Doesn't mean it is though. Medicare does not cover hearing aides, I think it may cover an exam. My husbands supplimental pays for the Audiology and his hearing aides up to a certain price. Check to see if Dads does. My husband can only use the Audiologist that the suppliment recommends. Husband is allowed new hearing aides every 3 years. This last visit he was told his hearing aide was still good and nothing more they could do for him hearing wise. He has them cleaned ever 6 months and new tubing.
So many things can be the cause of hearing loss.
Buildup of wax is a primary reason.
AND if he is "cleaning " his ears he may be compacting wax making the situation worse.
I saw a show and one person had 2 or 3 of the covers that go on the hearing aid compacted in the ear as well, they came off, remained in the ear and she never noticed.
Exam first!