Hearing aids are expensive. We are talking thousands of dollars, sometimes even with insurance. In addition, they may be overkill for the amount of hearing support you require.

Fortunately, there are hearing aid alternatives. You just need to know where to look and what to look for.

Hearing Aids are Not Covered by Medicare

One of the main problems is that hearing aids are not covered by Original Medicare. (Read this article to learn more, and how they are sometimes “covered” or subsidized by select Medicare Advantage plans.

Just as a refresher, Medicare Advantage Plans are private insurance plans (Medicare Part C) that are available to Medicare Beneficiaries in certain geographic areas. Some of them do have hearing care benefits.

So, What is a Low Cost Hearing Aid Alternative?

Before 2009, the only solution for procuring a hearing aid was through a doctor. In addition, to make matters worse, these solutions were (and still are) thousands of dollars.

Enter the PSAP…

What is a PSAP?

However, in 2009, a court decision finally allowed sales of OTC (over the counter) hearing aids. They changed the name of these “hearing aid alternatives” to Personal Sound Amplifier Products or PSAP.

What is the Difference Between a Hearing Aid and an Amplifier?

To be frank, the main difference between a hearing aid and a hearing amplifier is FDA regulation. To get a hearing aid, you will

• Need to see a doctor
• Go to follow up doctor visits
• Get a prescription
• Pay a lot of money, or have great insurance to help cover the cost.

To get an amplifier (PSAP), you just need to purchase one online. No doctor or prescription required. However, you may want to see a hearing specialist just to be sure your hearing loss is not connected to another condition.

How do Amplifiers Work?

Personal Sound Amplifiers are basically over-the-counter hearing aids. They “manage” noise around you and help you hear what is important, like the sound of voices directed at you. Some of them even have noise cancelling technologies. (Affiliate Link)

Our PSAP Brand Recommendation

One of the first, and still very popular, brands of PSAP’s is Otofonix. We recommend this brand, and our links for them are affiliate links. The company was started by an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor and the company has many different options and price points.

Otofonix has some limited time offers for our readers. They are listed here:

• Get up to 50% OFF | Shop Hearing Aids @ Otofonix Now!

• Free Two-Day Shipping on Orders Over $75!

Otofonix is known for having great customer service, a 1 year warranty and a up to 45 day return window.

Hearing Health Tips for Improving and Protecting Hearing

Finally, we are ending our hearing aid alternatives article with a few tips for naturally improving hearing. They might not be a substitute for an amplifier or hearing aid, but they might make a difference.

To Start, Keep Your Ears Unclogged

There are multiple ways your ears can get plugged up. You could have an infection, allergies, pressure build-up (like from a plane ride), or even too much war wax.

I remember when my mom spent months not being able to hear and thinking she needed hearing aids. However, when she went to the doctor, they found out she just had a prolific amount of ear wax! After they drained her wax out, she could hear again.

There are ways to “irrigate” your own ear canal, but that also might be something to consult your doctor about. It is always a good idea to be safe and gentle your ears. (And stay away from putting things in your ears like cotton swabs.)

Finally, Prevent Further Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Prevention is the Key to hearing health! Make sure you are protecting your hearing by:

• Wearing ear plugs when you know you will be experiencing loud sounds. For example, at a concert or fireworks show.
• Give yourself some quiet time. Your ears and brain work hard together to interpret sounds. Make sure to give them a break every once-and-a-while.
• Turn down the volume on the TV and on your music.
• Take care of your whole self. Exercise and a healthy diet will help to keep all your body’s systems in proper working order, including your ears.
• In addition, foods rich in magnesium may help bolster hearing health. Studies have been inconclusive in how other vitamins and minerals help hearing health.

The post Best Hearing Aid Alternatives appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

One questions we hear a lot at Medicare Life Health is “Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

• The simple answer is NO.

• However, some Medicare Advantage Plans will. Let’s look at both.

Original Medicare Will Not Cover Hearing Aids.

“Hearing and balance exams – Medicare covers these exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders them to see if you need medical treatment. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. In a hospital outpatient setting, you also pay the hospital a copayment.”

Medicare and You 2020 Guidebook

What about Medigap (Supplement) Plans?

No, Medicare Supplement Plans (also called Medigap) do not cover hearing exams or hearing aids. These supplements cover the costs of covered services that Medicare leaves for beneficiaries to pay. (For example, coinsurances, co-pays and deductibles.)

They are not structured to pay for extra services like hearing, dental, vision, wellness or long-term care.

Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Hearing Aids?

All Medicare Advantage Plans are designed differently, but most of them offer benefits for exams and hearing aids. Depending on the plan, you may find covered, or partially covered, hearing exams. In addition, many plans will have co-pays or coinsurance on hearing aids.

As an example, one MA plan might offer 0% co-pay on a hearing exam and a co-payment on a hearing aid. They might have two kinds of hearing aids with different amounts you pay as your portion for either a standard hearing aid or a more advanced one.

Also, some Medicare Advantage Plans will contract with specific hearing aid companies to offer discounted or even fully covered hearing aids if you use these providers.

Summary & Action Steps

In summary, if you are in need of hearing aids, Original Medicare and Medigap Plans will not cover them. However, a Medicare Advantage plan often will.

With hearing aids often costing thousands of dollars, it can make sense to consider a Medicare Advantage plan where you can get discounted hearing benefits and hearing aids.

How to Get Started

• Interested? Talk to an agent to learn more about plans with hearing aid options.

• Or, to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans – how they work and what they cover – please click here.

• If you need more information on how to choose a Medicare Plan, please start with this article.

• Finally, of you need help applying for Medicare, click here.

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