Clothes, books, televisions and even hearing aids — you can really buy just about anything on the Internet.

But there’s an important question to ask when buying things online: if you haven’t seen or tested it out in person, how do you know it will be right? Take a bed, for example. Would you buy a mattress without knowing whether it’s comfortable? Would you buy a TV without first seeing the quality of the picture? Would you buy hearing aids without the help of a qualified professional?

Really, the Internet is great when it comes to researching and comparing consumer products. And when it comes to hearing aids, it’s the same story. Hearing aid consumers can go online to research different hearing aids and find out important information on hearing loss. They can even buy hearing aids online. Many people do go online to buy hearing aids because of the cost. For a lot of people, insurance will not cover the cost of hearing aids, or they may not even have insurance in the first place, so they may turn to the Internet to search for the cheapest possible solution. In reality, buying hearing aids online may save a person several hundred dollars up front, but what many of them do not take into account is that they may be getting what they’re paying for: poor quality and a lack of hearing safety.

While you may save money up front, that savings may mean nothing later if you need to get your hearing aids reprogrammed or if you need to see a hearing professional to receive follow-up care. Another way that cost savings can be negated is if you buy a hearing aid online and need to get a local professional to program it. What’s more is that many newer digital hearing aids can’t even be fitted without the wearer being in the office.

Something important to do before you buy a hearing aid is to get a hearing evaluation. Be sure to have this evaluation done by an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. They should be certified and licensed to conduct this evaluation.

Manufacturers of hearing aids have even cautioned consumers about purchasing hearing aids online in order to protect them from possibly getting a unit that is not actually what they ordered. This is such a serious issue that manufacturers have placed alerts on their websites that stress consumers should buy hearing aids directly and only from qualified and trained hearing professionals. Hearing aids purchased online may also not be appropriate for the hearing loss of the consumer, manufacturers also warn. Here’s is Starkey’s policy, and here is ReSound’s policy.

Additionally, hearing aid professionals are a necessary part of the hearing aid fitting process. It’s possible for some hearing aids to be factory fit, but they should ideally be programmed with a computer so that it can be as accurate as possible in order to fit the wearer’s everyday needs and take into account their level of hearing loss. Still, even factory fit hearing aids will need adjustments every so often. An important consideration is whether you will trust someone unknown to program your hearing aid. How will they know it’s right?

So why exactly is buy a hearing aid in person so important? Well, first of all, properly evaluating your hearing loss and assessing your needs is vital when you’re buying hearing aids. A hearing professional needs to determine which hearing aids are best for you according to your hearing loss — not everyone is the same, and an ear exam is needed to find out which model is best. After that, a hearing professional must determine a hearing aid that will fit your lifestyle and meet your needs, and one that stays within your desired price range. The combination of discussing your needs with a professional and having them examine you will enable you to get a hearing aid that will work well for you. You cannot get this kind of expertise when you buy online, which is why so many wind up with hearing aids they’re not happy with.

One very alarming concern about buying hearing aids online is safety. A possible situation is that hearing aids arrive, and you put them in without knowing they’re turned on full power. This can seriously damage a person’s hearing. So in order to avoid this happening, the consumer would need to get the hearing aids checked out by a local professional — and that would cost them.

Another reason to buy hearing aids in person is the fact that digital hearing aids, being very sophisticated technology, need to be adjusted and programmed by professionals who are trained to do so. This is a complicated adjustment and program, as the professional must program each frequency depending on the person’s hearing loss. Programming and adjustment also involves the different features of the hearing aid. Even if you buy hearing aids online and the retailer programs the hearing aids according to your hearing loss — which is a rare thing for them to offer — there’s no guarantee that the settings will be correct. You might very well need to visit a local professional to get adjustment and proper fit. Programming a hearing aid involves much more than hearing loss, too. Your lifestyle, preferences, familiarity with wearing hearing aids and more should all be taken into account. And an online retailer just can’t do this.

Also, many of these new digital hearing aids have to be calibrated in the person’s ear canal in order to have a successful fit. This is done in-office, while the client is wearing the hearing aids and is hooked up to a computer.  This procedure can’t be done over the web or through the mail — it requires the client’s head. ReSound’s Azure, all the Starkey Destiny models, etc. require this in-canal procedure to be properly fit.

Yet another reason to purchase hearing aids in person is that a face-to-face retailer will be able to provide you with the all-important after-purchase care and follow-up visits to make sure your hearing aid is properly fitted. These essential services are even usually included in the price of hearing aids bought directly from a face-to-face retailer. Online retailers simply cannot do this. So you may wind up saving money up front, but that savings will soon diminish once you pay for several follow-up visits with a local professional. In some cases, it could possibly even wind up costing you more.

Though hearing aids at physical stores may seem to cost more than ones you find online, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re getting professional help and expertise with that cost when you buy from a qualified retailer who can provide you with follow-up care. The store you buy from will likely be a place that you visit frequently and form a relationship with. They will come to be a place you trust to help make your hearing as good as possible.

Another key thing to keep in mind is that a retailer on the Internet may not accept returns and may not guarantee the products they sell you. They may not even give you a trial period. So if your hearing aids don’t work out, this could mean a lot of wasted time and money, and you’ll be back at square one. A qualified retailer you visit in-person will work hard to provide you with excellent service and see to it that you’re getting a good product that is improving your hearing.

Though the up-front savings involved with buying hearing aids online may seem appealing at first, it’s important to consider all of this information so that you will wind up with hearing aids that you are happy with.

Consumer Reports is a trusted source for unbiased, honest reviews of products. And in their July issue, they’re publishing a report on hearing aids. This is the first comprehensive report on hearing aids that they’ve done since 1992. This report is meant to be a comprehensive guide to buying and owning a hearing aid.

Making this report on hearing aids involved following a dozen hearing-impaired patients over a period of six months. Consumer Reports noted how they shopped for and used hearing aids, they also lab-tested 44 hearing aids’ features. Furthermore, 1,100 people all over the nation who had bought a hearing aid in the last three years were a part of a survey given by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Consumer Reports found that two-thirds of 48 total hearing aids purchased had been amplified too little or too much, so the user was not experiencing the right fit. Still, 73% of people who took part in the national survey said that they were “highly satisfied” with their hearing aids. That could mean that people using hearing aids might be so pleased with their improved hearing that they don’t actually seek assistance to improve their fit and fine-tune the hearing aids. This means that these people could be missing out on even better results.

To read the full report, see the July issue of Consumer Reports in print or online.

Hearing Aids at Hearing Aid Express

At Hearing Aid Express, we’re proud to say that we offer affordable, well-priced hearing aids from a variety of brands like Starkey, Unitron and ReSound. We know how important it is to make sure your hearing aids fit right so that you can hear sounds clearly and loudly and be comfortable. Stop by one of our convenient locations in Houston, Austin or Dallas today, or give us a call (800-348-2018), and we’ll be happy to provide you with exceptional customer service.

Resound Aims at the Hearing Aid Sweet Spot

Resound hearing aids are known for making hearing devices that fit your life instead of forcing you to change your life to accomodate your hearing aid. Resound hearing aids are compact, sophisticated pieces of advanced technology. These aren’t your grandpa’s hearing aids.

Like most modern hearing aids, Resound hearing aids are targeted at the baby boomer generation, a massive demographic force that’s revolutionizing everything from walking sticks to the food they serve on cruise ships.

The X-plore: Resound’s Newest Hearing Aid Innovation

It looks like Resound’s hit that elusive hearing aid sweet spot, because 9 out of 10 X-plore users recommend the product. X-plore customers can opt for a more natural, behind-the-ear (BTE) fit that leaves the ear canal open to admit more sound, which results in a fuller hearing experience for the wearer, blending the hearing aid’s output with the ambient sound. A thin-tube coupling routes the hearing aid’s output into the wearer’s ear canal.

Resound’s hearing aid also adapts to the more vibrant, athletic lifestyle of today’s hearing loss sufferer with heavy-duty reliability. The Resound X-plore hearing aid is meant to accompany go-getters on their marathons, kayaking trips, mountaineering journeys, and globe-trotting fishing trips.

In addition, this Resound hearing aid runs for 330 hours on one size-13 battery and is factory-protected by an anti-corrosive coating.

The Resound X-plore Delivers Hearing Aid Performance

The directional microphone of the Resound X-plore, assisted by the innovative electronics in the heart of the hearing aid, excels at picking up soft speech, even in a busy restaurant or assembly hall. Feedback suppression from the Resound Dual Stabilizer prevents shrieking feedback from complex audio environments. The X-plore hearing aid also comes with Resound’s Active Wind Stop package, which prevents buffeting winds from turning into amplified roars of deafening noise.

The nice thing about all this engineering know-how is that, rather than complicating your life, the Resound X-plore hearing aid makes your life easier, not more complicated. How sweet is that?

Making the Switch to the Resound X-plore Hearing Aid

As you know, switching to a new Resound hearing aid can be a daunting challenge if you’re new to hearing aids. It’s quite a mental adjustment to go from the sounds you’ve heard for months and years to a completely new aural environment.

Fortunately, the Resound engineers have anticipated this problem with the Acceptance Manager, a digital audio coach that gradually increases its amplification over time, giving you plenty of time to adjust. At first, the Resound hearing aid does little to alter your sonic universe; as time passes, it gets more and more involved, bringing you the sounds you’ve been wanting to hear while weeding out the noise. The result? A short, painless transition to better hearing without any disorientation.

Consider This Resound Hearing Aid

A marvel of technology, the Resound X-plore hearing aid should be on your short list if you’re an active person with high standards about your hearing aid needs. If you’d like to see an X-plore in person, contact us or seek out one of our hearing aid store locations!

We recently came across a helpful article about hearing loss. Published in Frost Illustrated, the article reminded us of the all-important truth that summer noises can lead to permanent hearing loss. When we typically think of summer, we look forward to warm weather, sunshine and maybe even trips to the park or beach with family. But what’s often forgotten is the many loud noises that come along with summer that can actually cause permanent hearing loss.

The article points out that noises louder than 80 decibels such as lawn mowers and fire crackers are loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss, so you should wear ear plugs or another type of hearing protection. Really, noise from fireworks, marching bands, lawn mowers and traffic can get between 90 and 140 decibels, according to an assistant audiology professor quoted in the story.

The assistant professor went on to say that when people ride bikes, they wear helmets to protect themselves. So when we go to places with loud noises, we should take the same care to protect ourselves by wearing ear plugs or another kind of hearing protection. “Once your hearing is gone, it is gone forever,” he said.

The article also mentions something we’ve talked about here many times before: hearing loss in young people as a result of listening to music too loudly on MP3 players. More and more  young people are experiencing hearing loss because of this.

Hearing Loss Help at Hearing Aid Express

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, it may be time to look into the option of getting hearing aids. At Hearing Aid Express, we proudly carry a variety of models from several different brands such as Unitron, Starkey and ReSound. Stop by one of our convenient locations in Austin, Houston or Dallas to find out more information about hearing aids, or feel free to contact us.

Medicaid Hearing Aid Benefits

The State of Texas, through TMHP (Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership) offers generous hearing aid benefits to qualified Medicaid recipients. You can now receive those Medicaid hearing aid benefits at Hearing Aid Express.

What Are the Medicaid Hearing Benefits?

Medicaid recipients are entitled to a free hearing test. If you have a hearing loss that falls within TMHP’s guidelines you may be eligible for hearing aids at no cost to you.

Did the Medicaid Hearing Benefits Change?

Yes they have! Before, Medicaid would only provide one hearing aid every six years. Now, they provide up to two hearing aids every five years.

What if Medicaid Already Gave Me a Hearing Aid?

If you have a hearing loss in both ears, you may be eligible for a hearing aid for the ear that wasn’t fit. If the last time you got a hearing aid through Medicaid was more than five years ago you may be eligible for two hearing aids.

How Do I Find Out if I am Eligible?

Call us! You will need to have a copy of your current Medicaid card. We can verify your benefits online with TMHP.

How Do I Use My Hearing Aid Benefits?

First you will need to see a medical doctor. The doctor will examine your ears to make sure there aren’t any medical conditions that need to be treated. If there aren’t any medical reasons that would keep you from being fit with a hearing aid, your doctor signs a “Physician’s Examination Report” and gives a copy of it to you. We need a signed copy of this form before we can test your hearing. Your doctor’s office should have a copy of this form (called a B.41). You can also pick up a copy of the form at any Hearing Aid Express office, call us and we will fax one to you, or click here to download a copy that you can print.

What if Medicaid Made Me Enroll in a Private Plan like Ameriroup?

Hearing Aid Express is a network provider for a number of Medicaid private plans. We can help you if you are enrolled with Traditional Medicaid, Amerigroup, Molina, certain Evercare plans and others. Get your current Medicaid card, call our office and we will check your benefits for you!

Where Do I Go To Get My Hearing Benefits?

Visit any Hearing Aid Express location. We have four offices in Houston, three in Dallas and two in Austin. To see which location is closest to you, click here.

What if I Still Have Questions?

Call us! We will be glad to help:

Houston: (800) 348-2018

Dallas: (800) 628-8250

Austin: (877) 512-4327

Did you know that May is Better Speech and Hearing Month? There’s a great letter to the editor in Pottsville, Pennsylvania’s Republican Herald that talks about the significance of this month and what the signs of hearing loss are.

Proclaimed by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (of which the writer is a member), Better Speech and Hearing Month helps remind us of very important issues. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association says that there are approximately 28 million Americans with a hearing impairment, and hearing loss affects 17 in 1,000 kids under 18. The writer stresses that if you think your child might be suffering from hearing loss, ask the school nurse to give them a hearing test.

Still, Better Speech and Hearing Month is for adults as well as kids. Adults who have a tough time hearing a person just two feet away might be showing a sign of impending hearing loss. Same goes for if they’re watching television at such a high volume that others ask them to turn it down, or if they have to frequently ask others to repeat themselves.

According to the writer, the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association estimated that of people over 65 years old, 314 in 1,000 have a hearing loss and of those older than 75, 40-50% have a hearing loss. What’s more is that the writer notes that the NIDCD says only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid wear one.

If you think you may be experiencing some hearing loss, you may benefit from wearing hearing aids. Contact Hearing Aid Express today, or see a hearing professional to get your hearing tested.

Are you in the Austin area and interested in hearing aids? If so, you may have seen our full-page color ad in today’s Austin American-Statesman. This week only, May 11-15, Austin and Cedar Park Hearing Aid Express locations are having a special event.

Wanted: 90 people! Be one of the first individuals in the U.S. to try the world’s most invisible hearing system. The ReSound bug is the first custom hearing aid ever created with Invisible Open Technology. It is made to fit entirely inside your ear.

The ReSound bug hearing aid fits entirely inside your ear — it’s cutting edge technology. This hearing aid has a microscopic sound processor. Traditional hearing aids are a thing of the past. The ReSound bug hearing aid is offered exclusively at Hearing Aid Express.

Unlike traditional hearing aids, the ReSound bug is a hearing aid engineered with Invisible Open Technology, which makes it an innovative — and virtually invisible — hearing instrument.

This week only, the ReSound bug is $1,495 each at Hearing Aid Express in Austin and Cedar Park. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer and expires on May 15, 2009.

Hearing Aid Express has another fantastic deal going on this week at the Austin and Cedar Park locations: All models of GN ReSound Essence are $695. Don’t be fooled by inferior technology — the ReSound Essence hearing aid is the most customizable longest-lasting hearing instrument in its class and comes standard with these features:

• Power-saving chip technology for extended battery life
• Three customizable programs
• NoiseTracker noise reduction
• Low battery indicator
• Dual Stabilizer DFS feedback manager
• Dual microphone technology

(Fitting range of up to 65/85dB loss. Some restrictions apply. At time of purchase only. Expires May 15, 2009.)

Don’t miss this great event all week long at Hearing Aid Express in Austin and Cedar Park!

Hearing Aid Express: Austin
8127 Mesa Dr., #B-207
(512) 346-6884

Hearing Aid Express: Cedar Park
200 South Bell Blvd., #C-1
(512) 249-9367

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, May 10th. If your mom has been experiencing difficulty hearing, consider giving her the gift of hearing. Hearing aids can dramatically improve a person’s life, as they can allow the user to hear sounds more clearly and loudly. From family dinners to picnics in the park, to watching her grandchild’s music recital or school play, just think of how much Mom would enjoy hearing better.

Hearing loss affects 10 million Americans aged 45 to 64. And six out of seven of those don’t yet benefit from wearing hearing aids. Hearing loss is actually only second to arthritis in terms of the most common issues for older adults.

Has your mom been thinking about getting hearing aids? If so, this Mother’s Day might be the perfect opportunity to make her wish come true. We offer many, many different kinds of hearing aids here at Hearing Aid Express. And with convenient locations in Austin, Dallas and Houston, you just might live close to one and can come by to find out more information. We also accept Medicaid hearing aid benefits.

Hearing aids from ReSound, Starkey and Unitron can all be found at Hearing Aid Express. If you have concerns about hearing aids being too big or embarrassing, we’re here to say that there are several discreet hearing aids that can barely be noticed, and many that are nearly invisible and do not block the ear canal.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or find a location near you.

A recent article in the Mansfield News Journal suggests that parents of young children should know the signs of hearing loss. We’re all familiar with Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most brilliant musical minds in history, who was unable to hear his own work. The article also points out that Thomas Edison said that after he was 12 years old, he never heard a bird sing.

Hearing loss is the most common birth defect there is, affecting 12,000 U.S.-born children each year, according to the article. Since a child’s first years are such an important time for development and learning, early diagnosis of hearing loss is very important. The Mansfield News Journal article suggests that parents watch out for warning signs, as given by the Alexander Graham Bell Association, such as:

• When there’s a loud sound, do the baby’s eyes move toward it?
• When a parent speaks, does the baby react?
• Does the baby (six months to 10 months old) repeat sounds?
• Can the baby (18-24 months old) follow simple directions?
• Is the baby able to put sounds together that closely resemble speech?

These are just a few things to look out for. For more warning signs, you should speak with your doctor. You should also speak to your doctor if you think your child is experiencing hearing loss.

Hearing loss is something that affects not only the elderly, but also young people — even babies. No matter what the age is of a person suffering from hearing loss, there can be something done to help them. Getting help with hearing loss is very important to a person’s well being and can help improve their life. And in the case of very young children, it can help them be able to learn and develop properly.

If you believe you are suffering from hearing loss, don’t hesitate to stop by one of our locations in Houston, Austin or Dallas to find out more about hearing aids. You can also speak with your doctor or a hearing professional to get your hearing assessed.

We just loved what “Doctor! Doctor! I Can’t Hear a Thing,” a recent Times Online article, had to say about hearing loss and hearing aids. Written by the director of the Help in Hearing Clinic, the article talks about how listening to loud music and going to rock ‘n’ roll concerts has done damage to people, and today’s generation has to worry about hearing loss from listening to MP3 players with in-ear headphones at an unreasonable volume.

The article gives a few tips for protecting yourself from hearing loss, like listening to music played on a portable music device with headphones that block out environmental noise. Also noted is that “wearing a hearing aid can help and the sooner you start the more benefit it will give you.” When you ignore your hearing loss, says the article, the longer your brain will be deprived of auditory stimulus.

Since so many young people are experiencing hearing loss, the common misconception is that hearing aids are big, embarrassing and noticeable. Hearing aids today are small and discreet, and there are even some available that help clarify sounds for people who can’t hear high frequencies anymore.

Though it can be tough to admit your hearing is going, says the article, people over 50 years of age should have hearing tests on a regular basis.

Get Hearing Aids

Are you having trouble hearing? Do you find that you’re watching television with the volume turned up very high, or listening to the radio with the volume up very high? Having difficulty hearing people during conversations in person or even over the phone? Get help with hearing loss at Hearing Aid Express. Stop by or contact us for more information. We have several convenient locations in Dallas, Austin and Houston.