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Hearing Aids in Princeton and Monroe, NJ

Located in the Central New Jersey area, and serving the communities of Princeton, Monroe, Plainsboro and other nearby cities, Princeton Otolaryngology Associates specializes in audiology. If you live in New Jersey and have wondered whether a hearing aid would be the solution to your hearing disorder, don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and our audiologists, Karen K. Herring, M.S., FAAA and Dr. Rajool Dave, Au. D, FAAA, will carefully examine your hearing problem, find its cause and determine if a hearing aid would be the best treatment for you.

Often people ask “How do I know if I need hearing aids?” and “Is hearing loss correctable?”

Difficulty hearing conversations, the television and movies, and/or people on the phone are good indicators that hearing aids may be for you. However, you must have your hearing evaluated to determine if hearing aids will help. Most hearing loss is age-related and cannot be medically corrected. However, after the audiologist has taken the patient history and completed the hearing evaluation, he/she will be able to inform you if medical intervention may be capable of restoring or improving you hearing. If medical intervention is a possibility, the audiologist will advise you to make an appointment to address your hearing loss.

Hearing Aid Selection and Follow-ups

The degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, and patient’s personal preferences are the key factors in the selection of the type of hearing aids best suited for that individual. The more active the individual, the more advanced the hearing aids should be to handle various listening environments.

As a result of the recent advancement in technology, even the most severe of hearing losses can be improved with smaller sized hearing aids. However, factors other than cosmetics need to be considered when selecting smaller hearing aids such as the individual’s degree of dexterity and shortened battery life.

The following are the brands of the different hearing aid equipment that we currently offer:

At the time of the dispensing the hearing aids, the audiologist will review the fit and care of the instruments. A two-week follow-up is scheduled for the patient should any fine adjustments of the aids be needed. Thereafter, the audiologist will see the patient every 6 months to ensure the aids are functioning properly and/or perform an annual hearing test. If the patient needs to be seen sooner or more often than 6 months, his/her visits are warmly welcomed.

Expense of Hearing Aids

The cost of hearing aids is dependent on its level of technology. Our prices range as low as just under $1,000 to a few thousand per hearing aid. Certain insurances plans will pay either the total amount or some of it. The cost of aids is an investment towards improved hearing and maintaining a happy social life.

Does my insurance cover hearing aids?

Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Princeton Otolaryngology recommends you call ahead of scheduling an appointment with the audiologist to determine if your insurance company will cover hearing aids and if so, how much.

What is the return policy regarding aids?

The office offers a 30-day trial period. If you decide to return the aids, the office will retain a $150 fee to cover our shipping and restocking costs. The remaining balance will be refunded.

How long do batteries last?

Batteries can last as little as a week to a month depending on the size required by the aid. The smaller the hearing aid, the smaller the battery. In return, the shorter the life span and the battery size becomes smaller.

What is the insurance policy on hearing aids?

All hearing aids are covered for either 1 or 2 years for repairs and one-time loss/damage depending on their level of technology. The cost to replace lost aids is usually $400 per aid. These policies can usually be extended by the manufacturer as long as the aid is not too old to repair.

How often should hearing aids be replaced?

Hearing aids typically last 5-6 years. They are capable of lasting longer with proper maintenance and care. Often the great strides in the advancement in hearing aid technology warrant new hearing aids at 5-6 years. Hearing aids may need to be replaced sooner if a dramatic decrease in hearing occurs.

Hearing Aids FAQ

Are expensive hearing aids worth the money?

Hearing Aids are very small computers. The battery, the energy source, makes up half the size. The more sophisticated the workings of the hearing aid, the more expensive it will be. This means features such as background noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity and adjustments for different listening conditions are going to make the hearing aid more expensive. However, this is a tool you will be using every day. Therefore, the question really is; How much is your quality of life worth?

How do I choose the right hearing aids?

Choosing the right hearing aids for you can be a frustrating process to do on your own. A great deal of the decision depends on your hearing loss and what you expect from your hearing aid. At Princeton Otolaryngology, our audiologists are Doctors of Audiology or have more than 25 years of experience. They are experts in helping you to decide based on your insurance plan, lifestyle and budget.

What is the average cost of a pair of hearing aids?

The cost of your hearing aids is going to depend on the type of hearing aid it is and how advanced the hearing aid technology is. At Princeton Otolaryngology Associates, we offer hearing aids from just under $1,000 to several thousand dollars per hearing aid. We can help you choose which hearing aid fits your lifestyle and budget during your private consultation. We represent 7 different hearing aid companies and have various methods to finance which may include insurance contributions as well as medical savings accounts.

Is there an alternative to hearing aids?

That all depends on the type of hearing loss you have and how long you have had it. Sudden hearing loss is treatable in the first 10 days. You need to have a medical specialist evaluate your hearing loss to etermine if you are a candidate for medical or surgical treatment of your condition. There are also a variety of different types of hearing aids to choose from. That’s why at Princeton Otolaryngology you can be seen by an Otolaryngologist and an expert Audiologist who will consider every option with you.

Do hearing aids work for everyone?

Hearing aids work exceedingly well for those with hearing loss especially if the brain has not lost its processing ability to change sounds into words. This is called sound clarity. The earlier a person begins to use hearing aids the less the decline in this function and the greater the preservation of clarity. Because of clarity, balance and neurocognitive function, not only do hearing aids improve one’s ability to hear but it improves one’s quality of life now and in the future.

Contact Princeton Otolaryngology Associates for a hearing consultation to determine if you need a hearing aid. Our practice serves patients throughout the neighboring communities of Princeton, Monroe and Plainsboro.