Hearing Aids
What Are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are an adaptive and adjustable management option for hearing loss. The average hearing aid lasts between 5-7 years. Within that time, our team will adjust, fine-tune, and repair your device as needed.
Styles of Hearing Aids
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
We work with all the different styles of hearing aids at UR Medicine Audiology, and our audiologists work with you to determine which style of hearing aid is most appropriate for your listening needs.
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Image: A: completely-in-canal style ITE, B: half-shell/canal ITE, C: full-shell ITE, D: BTE, E: RITE
UR Medicine's Approach
At UR Medicine Audiology we work with four major hearing aid manufacturers:
- Phonak
- Oticon
- Resound
- Widex
Our audiology team members will walk with you through every step of the hearing aid process, including:
- An audiologic evaluation
- Hearing aid consultation
- Fitting and fine tuning of the devices
If you have hearing aids that were not given through UR Medicine, we will need to confirm that your hearing aids are from one of the above listed manufacturers to offer service.
What Is the Difference between Prescription and Over the Counter Hearing Aids?
UR Medicine suggests provider-fit hearing aids instead of over-the-counter hearing aids, as over the counter hearing aids are only for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Available for people with any level of hearing loss, from mild to severe.
- Personal guidance is available after purchasing.
- Battery life is high.
- Long warranties are available.
- Regulated by the FDA for product quality.
- Regulated by the FDA for product quality.
- May prove more of a trial-and-error process and might not always yield a successful fit.
- Might not align with one’s actual degree of hearing loss, which could be greater than perceived.
- For people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Typically have fewer features than prescription aids.
- No personalized guidance after purchasing.
- Typically have shorter warranties than prescription versions.
- Battery life is low.
The cost of hearing aids can vary greatly based on the type of device. Generally, if you are paying out of pocket, a single device can cost $1,600-$3,000 and a set of two devices can cost $3,000-$6,000. There are factors that can influence the cost however, including insurance coverage, University of Rochester’s Financial Assistance Program, or through other community agencies like ACCES-VR.
If you do not have insurance coverage or if the coverage is insufficient for your needs there are outside payment plan options available, including:
We are happy to have individuals with hearing aids dispensed elsewhere come and establish hearing aid services at our clinic. We must first determine if your hearing aids from one of the above listed manufacturers, if not we are unable to adjust or repair them unfortunately.
With any gifted aids, part of the process of establishing services is determining if the gifted hearing aids are functional and appropriate for your type and degree of hearing loss. There is also a fee to establish services, and all policies and procedures related to these services are laid out in the policy below.
Policy for Professional Services provided to patients who have hearing aids not purchased through UR Medicine Audiology
- Hearing aid services performed are subject to an initial flat fee of $300. This initial fee includes the first three office visits thereafter, after which standard billing procedures will apply. Additional expenses may be incurred if earmolds, domes or other hearing aid parts or accessories are needed.
- Patient will be subject to an initial office visit charge regardless of the compatibility of their device with our fitting and adjustment equipment.
- An audiologic evaluation may be needed on the first visit or on a subsequent visit to properly adjust the hearing aid(s). This diagnostic evaluation will be billed as a standard and customary charge. In some cases, the diagnostic audiologic evaluation may not be covered by insurance.
- For each subsequent visit for hearing aid services a charge of approximately $20-100 will apply for each 30 minutes. This fee may vary depending on the complexity of the appointment.
- Repairs of hearing aid(s) outside of manufacturer warranty will be billed under standard and customary charges.
- Patients who have paid the initial flat fee and continue as established patients of UR Medicine Audiology may utilize our walk-in clinic service at standard and customary charges.
What Sets Us Apart?
Our world-class audiologists, in association with field-leading doctors and surgeons at UR Medicine, provide patients with a complete range of services using the latest techniques and technologies.
Each member of our team at UR Medicine Audiology holds a master’s degree or higher and is New York State-licensed and nationally certified in audiology. Our providers engage in extensive research and are dedicated to advancing knowledge and expanding treatment options.
Locations
View All LocationsWe serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region.
View All Locations6 locations
Highland Professional Office Building
990 South Avenue, Suite 207
Rochester, NY 14620
Lattimore Medical Center
125 Lattimore Road, East Entrance, 2nd Floor
Rochester, NY 14620
60 Greece Center Drive, Suite 3
Rochester, NY 14612
Clinton Woods
2365 South Clinton Avenue, Suite 200
Rochester, NY 14618
Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642