You will meet with one of our licensed audiologists who will assess your hearing needs, personal preferences, dexterity, ear shape and medical history. We will also talk to you about your personal hearing challenges, like talking on the phone, understanding conversations in noisy environments, living with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and appreciating music. Finally, we will recommend a technology level and style that will suit your personal hearing needs and budget.

After you and your audiologist select the right hearing aid for you, the device will be ordered and a hearing aid evaluation will be scheduled.

Please note: Ochsner requires a non-refundable $250 deposit to order your hearing aids. This amount will be subtracted from the total purchase price.

• 30-day trial period
• Fitting and adjustments with a licensed audiologist for the lifetime of the hearing aid
• Three-year manufacturer’s warranty for loss, damage and repair
• The first set of custom ear molds, if needed
• First pack of batteries, unless you choose rechargeable hearing aids

• Additional manufacturer’s warranty (extended warranty)
• Optional equipment and supplies, such as a streaming accessory or special cleaning tools
• Replacement ear molds or domes
• Batteries
• Annual audiogram, which may be necessary for any adjustments; this appointment is usually covered by insurance

• You have a 30-day trial period to work with the audiologist and decide if the hearing aids are meeting your expectations.
• If you are unhappy with the hearing aids, you will receive a refund for your total payment, except for the non-refundable $250 fitting fee.

Yes. You may want or need to try a different manufacturer or a different style. You also may need a more advanced technology level than originally expected. Upon receipt of the new hearing aids, you will begin a new 30-day trial period.

Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. We recommend all patients verify any hearing aid benefits or discounts available through their individual policy.

• Cell phone connectivity for iPhones and select Android devices
• Rechargeable batteries up to 24-36 hours
• Water resistance with an IP rating of 68
• Digital and automatic sound processing
• Volume and program control, either in hearing aid or connected app

• Free amplified phones are available through Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. You can reach them at (800) 256-1523.
• Caption call phones and apps are available. Ask your audiologist about having one installed in your home for free.

An over-the-counter hearing aid is not programmed specific to your personal hearing loss, though there are basic volume and pitch adjustments that can be made in most over-the-counter devices. Over-the-counter hearing aids are recommended for patients with a mild to moderate hearing loss.

Prescription hearing aids offer dynamic processing of the environment and automatically adjust for noise and speech as well as allow for detailed adjustments to be made based on a patient’s preferences and individual hearing loss.

Ochsner Hearing Solutions is proud to offer devices from reputable hearing aid manufacturers including Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Starkey and Widex.

Psychological Health Effects:

• Tension, irritation or frustration at communication difficulties
• Sense of loneliness, social withdrawal, depression
• Embarrassment at asking people to repeat themselves
• Fear of being ridiculed or appearing less intelligent

Medical Health Effects:

• Safety risks: Being unaware of sounds around you may pose a risk to personal safety. For example, not detecting a car or person approaching you from behind.
• Memory loss: The latest research is finding links between untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies suggest that patients with untreated hearing loss are up to five times more likely to develop dementia.
• Auditory deprivation: Our ears send auditory signals to the brain and our brain interprets those sounds into speech and meaning. The longer the brain is deprived of those sounds, the more it affects the brain's ability to understand speech. We ultimately hear with our brain. The old adage, of “use it or lose it” may also apply to our sense of hearing.

Getting the most out of your hearing aids means acquiring two new skills:

1. Learning how to use the hearing aids, and
2. Learning new ways to hear.

There is a common adjustment period for people getting their first hearing aids. When you first turn on your hearing aids, you will hear many sounds: Some of which you may not have heard in years. Hearing loss often occurs slowly so adjusting to new hearing aids can seem jarring. It also takes time. Your audiologist will guide you through the process of re-learning to hear and will tune up your hearing aids at each appointment.