Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

Having accurate and timely information is essential for comfort and safety when traveling. For some with hearing impairments a hearing aid is the right solution.

Here's a look by the New York times into the reality of acquiring a hearing id in the US. Take Gordon Buckwalter's experience:

...after talking with people who have benefited from aids and doing research to find a nearby audiologist, Mr. Buckwalter was ready to take the plunge.

But there was one thing he was not ready for: the $4,600 price tag.

"It's a monumental amount," Mr. Buckwalter said. "The technology is impressive, and they've certainly made a difference in my life. But the fact is, they're extremely expensive. And what I'm really surprised by is the fact that Medicare and most private insurance plans will pay only for the doctor visit to determine the need for a hearing aid, but not for the device itself.