As one of the five basic human senses, hearing is one of the ways we understand and appreciate the world around us. That’s why protecting the hearing of our patients and helping them hear as clearly as possible is such an important element of the care we provide at Yuma Regional Medical Center Ear, Nose and Throat. Our clinical audiologists are experts in the evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing impairment. They're knowledgeable in diagnostic procedures, hearing aid selection and repairs, assistive listening technology and hearing protection devices.
Yuma Regional Medical Center Ear, Nose and Throat offers:
- Hearing Assessments – Evaluating our patients’ ability to hear and understand sounds, and designing appropriate treatment and hearing management plans.
- Hearing Aid Sales and Service – Recommending the most appropriate hearing aids for patients’ needs and lifestyles, choosing from a wide variety of styles, technologies and features.
- Custom-fit Earpieces – Helping swimmers keep their ear canals dry and protecting patients’ hearing from loud noise levels.
- Special Assistive Listening Devices – Providing devices to patients that help them function better in day-to-day communication situations by helping them overcome distance, background noise or poor room acoustics.
- Tinnitus Management – Providing education, counseling and management options to patients suffering with tinnitus (ringing of the ears).
Types of Hearing Aids
Yuma Regional Medical Center Ear, Nose and Throat offers several different types of hearing aids. Our audiologists will take your lifestyle and personal goals into consideration and guide you to the most suitable hearing aid style for your needs. Options include:
- Receiver in-Canal Aids - These aids look very similar to the behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid with a unique difference: the speaker of the hearing aid is placed inside the ear canal and thin electrical wires replace the acoustic tube of the BTE aid.
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Aids - All parts of the aid are contained in a small plastic case that rests behind the ear. The case is connected to an earmold by a piece of clear tubing.
- In-the-Ear (ITE) Aids - All parts of the aid are contained in a shell that fills in the outer part of the ear. These aids are larger than canal aids, and, for some people, may be easier to handle than smaller aids.
- Invisible-in-Canal (ILC), In-the-Canal (ITC) and Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) Aids - These aids are contained in a tiny case that fits partly or completely into the ear canal. They are the smallest aids available and offer some cosmetic and listening advantages.
Hearing Aid FAQs
What can I do if I need hearing aids, but can't afford them?
Please let us know your budget and any concerns you have at your initial consultation. We have options available to help you with the purchase of hearing aids.
Does insurance cover the cost of hearing aids?
Most insurance plans cover the cost of a diagnostic hearing evaluation, less any deductible or co-pays you may have. Some plans do provide coverage for some or all of the cost of hearing aids. Because individual plan coverage varies widely, we recommend you consult your plan for specifics. We verify all hearing aid benefits and routinely provide estimates.
How long do hearing aids last?
You can expect your hearing aids to provide good service for four to six years, in most cases. After that, because technology advances over time and your hearing may decrease further, you may benefit from replacing your hearing aids with newer technology. In addition, hearing aids are exposed to the heat and humidity of the human body every day and require regular service and repairs. Out-of-warranty hearing aid repairs may include additional warranties for the manufacturer’s repair beyond the original manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, loss and damage coverage can be purchased separately when your original loss and damage coverage expires or is utilized.