Hearing aids improve hearing loss for millions of people. These small electronic devices come in different types and are available with advanced technological features. We researched the best hearing aids in Tulsa so you find a comfortable, affordable product that fits your needs and makes it easier to be an active participant in daily activities.
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Benefits of hearing aids for kids, seniors and adults
Tens of millions of U.S. kids, seniors and adults with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, but only 1 in 5 actually uses one, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Those who do wear hearing aids, including individuals with mild to profound hearing loss, experience many benefits:
Improved hearing loss
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Reduced tinnitus symptoms
Greater independence
Safer living
What types of hearing aids are available in Tulsa?
Most hearing aids work similarly: A microphone picks up sound, an amplifier makes the sound louder and a speaker, or receiver, sends the sound into the ear canal.
Most hearing aids on the market today are digital rather than analog, meaning they convert sound into a digital format and program it to deliver a sound that is customized for your hearing loss and the surrounding environment. They are battery-powered, often with rechargeable batteries.
Hearing aids differ mainly in their design and features.
Hearing aid styles
Description
Pros
Cons
Cost
Behind the ear (BTE)
Sits behind the ear, with a tube connecting to an earmold or earpiece
Easy to clean and handle; good for children; used for all degrees of hearing loss
Largest and most visible type
$900 - $1,400
Mini BTE
Also referred to as receiver in the ear (RITE) or receiver in canal (RIC); smaller BTE with thin, discreet tube connecting to earmold or earpiece
Less visible than BTE; reduced “plugged-up” sensation in ear, more comfort; less feedback
Earwax can clog speaker; more visible than smaller types
$900 - $1,400
In the ear (ITE)
Sits in outer ear
Easier to handle than smaller aids; has features unavailable on smaller devices
Earwax can clog speaker; more wind noise than smaller aids
$500 - $1,500
In the canal (ITC)
Sits partly in ear canal
Second-least visible type of aid; has features unavailable on CIC
Can be difficult to handle; smaller battery and fewer features
$900 - $3,000
Completely in the canal (CIC)
Sits entirely in ear canal
Nearly invisible
Limited power, battery and features
$900 - $3,000
Hearing aids are different from hearing amplifiers, also called personal sound amplification products, which should only be used by those without hearing loss.
How to choose a hearing aid in Tulsa
When choosing hearing aids in Tulsa, there are many factors to consider:
Your degree of hearing loss
Style
Comfort and fit
Features
Cost
Warranty
Ongoing care and service
Hearing aids in Tulsa come with many basic and advanced features. Familiarize yourself with the different options and think about which are important to you. Some of these features include:
Feedback suppression
Noise reduction
Telecoil
Directional microphones
Multiple channels
Rechargeable batteries
Bluetooth connectivity
Data logging
Getting a hearing aid test and fitting
Before buying hearing aids in Tulsa, you should get a hearing test, or audiological exam. By doing an audiological exam (also called an audiogram), an audiologist or hearing care professional will determine your type and amount of hearing loss and rule out causes that are better treated with medicine or surgery, like allergies, ear infection, poor Eustachian tube function, earwax, benign tumors or an object stuck in the ear.
If you have sensorineural hearing loss— damage in the inner ear most often due to aging, genetics or loud noises — wearing hearing aids often helps.
An audiologist or hearing care professional will ask you about your lifestyle and preferences and tell you which hearing aids are most likely to improve your hearing loss. Here are questions to ask:
How severe is my hearing loss?
Do you recommend one or two hearing aids?
How do the hearing aids available to me differ in features, services (e.g., cleanings, adjustments), warranty and cost?
Once your hearing aids are ready, the audiologist or hearing care professional will complete the fitting by programming the device for your personal needs. You will learn how to put in and take out your hearing aid and care for the device. Before leaving, talk to your hearing aid fitter about these topics:
What to expect while adjusting to a hearing aid
Cleaning your hearing aid
Monitoring battery level and recharging/replacing the battery
How often to visit for checkups and maintenance
Keep in mind that when you purchase a hearing aid in Tulsa, you get a 30-day trial. If you return a hearing aid within the trial period and it has only normal wear and tear, you are entitled to a refund of at least 90 percent of the purchase price.
How much do hearing aids cost in Tulsa?
Most hearing aids in Tulsa cost $500 - $4,000 each. Hearing aid cost depends on the style and features. Cost per hearing aid generally includes testing and fitting, a warranty lasting one to three years and lifetime services like annual hearing exams, cleanings and adjustments.
Private health insurance in Oklahoma doesn’t generally cover hearing aids for adults, but Oklahoma requires policies include hearing benefits for children up to 18. Check your specific plan for more information.
Many hearing aid manufacturers and fitters offer payment plans and financing options to help make hearing aids in Tulsa more affordable. The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services has a list of financial assistance and other resources for purchasing hearing aids in Tulsa. Veterans can find information about hearing aid benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans may include hearing benefits. SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, covers hearing aids for children.
Eargo hearing aids, designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, are comfortable, rechargeable and nearly invisible. Customers don’t need to visit an audiologist or get an audiogram before contacting Eargo. Veterans and active service members are eligible for a 20 percent discount. Tulsa reviewers like the easy buying experience and support from Eargo hearing professionals.
Miracle-Ear
For over 70 years, Miracle-Ear’s objective has been to offer the most discreet, attractive and advanced hearing solutions. Miracle-Ear hearing aids come with free lifetime service and aftercare, an industry-leading three-year warranty and leading digital technology. Customers in Tulsa give good reviews of local Miracle-Ear Centers and highly recommend Miracle-Ear’s hearing aids.
Zounds Hearing
Zounds’ goal is to offer hearing aids with the world’s best-performing technology at an affordable price. Its four models come with advanced features like noise reduction and feedback cancellation. Customers like that Zounds has monthly financing plans and say its hearing aids are difference-makers.
Beltone
Beltone has been helping people with hearing loss for almost 80 years. Hearing aids, apps and accessories come with the latest technology and BelCare, which includes a yearly hearing test, free inspections and cleanings, a one-year warranty and two-year protection for change in hearing loss. Customers give Beltone’s Tulsa location five-star reviews.
ReSound Hearing Aids
ReSound has been an industry leader in hearing solutions since 1943. Its Smart Hearing technology mixes expertise in audiology, connectivity, apps and design to help people with hearing loss “experience, connect and communicate.” Customers like how ReSound helped them find a hearing care professional, but some have experienced problems with wireless connectivity.
Widex Hearing Aids
Widex, one of the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturers, combines everyday functionality with digital technology to build natural-sounding, great-looking devices. Get a no-obligation trial of any hearing aid. Customers give Widex mixed reviews: Some are happy with their hearing aids, while others have needed repairs and replacements.
ConsumerAffairs content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. Before you make any investment, it is very important to do your own analysis based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisors.