Before you buy

When looking for a hearing aid, learn about your choices to know what type of hearing aid will work best for you. Also:

• Get a health checkup. See your healthcare professional to make sure that what's causing your hearing loss can't be treated. Causes that can be treated include having an earwax buildup or an infection.
• Get a referral to a good audiologist. An audiologist is a healthcare professional who works with hearing issues. If you don't know a good audiologist, ask your main healthcare professional to suggest one. An audiologist checks your hearing, helps you choose the best hearing aid for you, fits the hearing aid to you, and programs it to meet your needs.

• Ask about a trial period. You often get a trial period when you buy a hearing aid. It may take you a while to get used to the device and know whether it's right for you.

  When you get the hearing aid, get some things in writing. These include what the trial costs, whether this amount goes toward the final cost of the hearing aid, and how much you can get back if you return the hearing aid during the trial period.

• Think about future needs. Ask whether you can raise the power of the hearing aid you get. Then you can still use it if your hearing loss gets worse. Hearing aids don't work forever, but they should last about five years.
• Check for a warranty. Make sure the warranty covers parts and labor for a certain period in case something goes wrong with your hearing aid. Some audiologists may include office visits or professional services in the warranty. Ask if you can add time to the warranty period.
• Beware of claims that sound too good to be true. Hearing aids can't restore all your hearing or erase all background noise. Beware of ads or sellers who claim hearing aids can do more than they can. The National Council on Aging rates hearing aids every year.

• Plan for the cost. A hearing aid can cost from about $1,000 to several thousand dollars. Hearing aids you get without a prescription tend to cost less.

  Professional fees, remote controls, and other hearing aid features may cost extra. Talk to your audiologist about your needs and what to expect.

  Some private insurance policies cover part or all the cost of hearing aids. Check your policy to be sure. Medicare doesn't cover the cost of hearing aids for adults. In many states, private insurers must pay for hearing aids for children.

  Some civic organizations and hearing associations give financial help for hearing aids or can help you find financial help. If you're a veteran, you may be able to get hearing aids at no cost through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.