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TruHearing offers a selection of discount programs that people can use alongside their health insurance to make hearing aids more affordable. Individuals can choose from a selection of hearing aid styles during a consultation with a TruHearing-affiliated hearing professional.
This article discusses TruHearing, including its reputation and products and how it works, as well as how hearing impacts health.
TruHearing is a managed care provider established initially to respond to requests from health plans to help reduce hearing health costs for their clients.
The company states it can give people access to more affordable hearing aid options by partnering with insurance companies, hearing professionals, and hearing aid manufacturers.
People cannot purchase TruHearing products and services online. Instead, they can buy its hearing aids through over 6,400 brand-affiliated hearing healthcare providers nationwide.
Before choosing this service, people may wish to consider its potential pros and cons.
Pros
- TruHearing offers a variety of hearing aid styles.
- TruHearing may be suitable for most budgets, as its offer ranges from basic to premium hearing aids.
- The company offers hearing devices from a variety of companies, including Phonak, Starkey, and Oticon.
- All hearing aids come with a 45-day trial and a 3-year warranty.
Cons
- TruHearing does not offer all hearing devices from the brands it carries.
- People who use TruHearing will need to use professionals and brands in the company’s network.
- Not all insurance providers will include TruHearing in their healthcare plans.
TruHearing offers four different ranges of hearing aids and an app that can streamline appointments.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Hearing aids
TruHearing offers hearing aids in varying styles, colors, features, models, and technology levels. People cannot purchase these devices online. However, they can view the company’s hearing aid catalog.
The styles include receiver-in-ear (RIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal, and in-the-ear types, as well as their variations, such as invisible-in-canal and completely-in-canal hearing aids.
A hearing doctor affiliated with TruHearing will work with each individual to determine which hearing aid type is most suitable for the severity of their hearing loss, their lifestyle, and any other requirements.
Learn more about various types of hearing aids here.
TruHearing offers hearing aids from the following manufacturers:
People can choose from basic, standard, advanced, or premium hearing aids.
Basic hearing aids
TruHearing states that basic hearing aids are most suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and those with a quiet, less active lifestyle.
All basic hearing aids have limited noise reduction and basic feedback cancellation.
Standard hearing aids
According to TruHearing, standard hearing aids work well in predictable environments, such as the home and workplace.
All standard hearing aids have the following features:
- manual digital processing
- adjustable speech enhancements and feedback cancellation
- noise reduction
- Bluetooth and wireless connectivity
- rechargeable batteries
- device app connectivity
- Made For All connectivity
These hearing aids have up to three programs and 16 channels.
Advanced hearing aids
The company states that the advanced hearing devices are suitable for noisier environments, such as the office.
All advanced hearing aids have the following features, in addition to the standard ones:
- motion sensors
- automated digital processing
- AI technology
- dynamic soundscape processing
These hearing aids have up to four programs and 32 channels. TruHearing states that most styles of hearing aids are available under this plan, including RIC and BTE types.
Premium hearing aids
According to the company, premium hearing devices are suitable for more challenging environments, such as places with large crowds.
In addition to the standard and advanced features, these hearing aids offer:
- premium automated digital processing
- extra bandwidth to aid in speech and sound perception
- own voice processing
- binaural directionality
- SoundSense Learn
- EchoBlock
These hearing aids have up to five programs and 48 channels. TruHearing states that all types of hearing aids are available, including instant fit.
TruHealth App
The TruHearing app allows people to adjust their hearing aid settings, change programs and channels, and connect their hearing devices to their smartphones.
Additionally, individuals have access to teleconsultations and virtual appointments with their hearing healthcare professionals.
The TruHearing app is free to download on iOS and Android.
People who wish to use TruHearing services need to call the company. A personal consultant will check a person’s eligibility and health plan coverage.
The company will then make an appointment for the individual with a certified TruHearing healthcare professional. This will be either an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist near the person’s location.
During the appointment, the specialist will conduct a comprehensive hearing test to evaluate the person’s hearing loss. If the person needs hearing aids, the specialist will discuss their options and recommend hearing aids that fit their budget, lifestyle, and hearing needs.
The specialist will order the person’s hearing aids. Once the device is available, the specialist will fit and program it for the individual. TruHearing will also process claims submissions on the person’s behalf.
A person is eligible for two free follow-up visits, excluding the first fitting within the year, for further adjustments if needed.
Any extra visits to the specialist may cost up to $65. However, some health plans may cover part of this cost.
Warranties and returns
All TruHearing products come with a 45-day trial and a 3-year manufacturer warranty covering one-time loss and damage replacement and repairs.
Manufacturers will charge replacement fees for people who do not qualify for the warranty. Individuals will also need to pay for shipping and incur any programming and fitting fees.
Payments
TruHearing accepts payment in cash, by check, and with major credit cards. People also have the option of financing through Allegro Credit or using their CareCredit card.
TruHearing holds accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which gives the company an A+ rating. However, it has a customer rating of one out of five stars, based on three reviews.
At the time of publication, TruHearing has resolved seven complaints on BBB over the past 3 years.
All reviews on the BBB website are negative. Reviewers state that they received the wrong bills.
Also, one reviewer notes that TruHearing gave misleading information, leading to their purchasing hearing aids too early, which led to out-of-pocket costs to pay for hearing aids.
Below is a table comparing TruHearing with Costco Hearing Aid Center, another company that offers several hearing aid brands.
| TruHearing | Costco Hearing Aid Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | No information is available, but TruHearing states it can save customers an average of $3,499 per hearing aid pair. | around $1,400 per pair |
| Brands | • Oticon • ReSound • Phonak • Signia • Starkey • Widex | • Jaba GN • Kirkland Signature • Philips • Phonak • Rexton |
| Does insurance cover it? | Some insurance providers cover the cost of TruHearing. | No. People should ensure their insurance covers out-of-network providers. |
| Warranty | a 3-year warranty covering one-time loss and damage replacement and repairs | varies by model |
There are several ways in which people can receive financial assistance to pay for hearing aids.
Children
Some children may be able to receive hearing aids or other assistive technology through Individualized Education Program.
Adults
People of working age may be able to receive assistance and advocacy if they experience hearing loss.
Each state in the United States has a vocational rehabilitation agency that can discuss a person’s options.
Hearing aid banks
Some local agencies may have hearing aid banks or know of other resources that may offer financial assistance to those who require hearing aids.
Some states may also have a hearing aid loan system, where people can use hearing aids for a set amount of time.
Medicaid
States that have Medicaid may pay for the costs of hearing aids.
Medicaid may cover all, part, or none of the costs of hearing exams, hearing aids, and follow-up care. People should check their Medicaid plan carefully.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around
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Hearing loss often results from aging or exposure to loud noises. The
- avoiding or limiting exposure to very loud sounds
- turning down the volume where possible
- moving away from loud noises
- wearing ear and hearing protection
A person who experiences symptoms of hearing loss, such as ringing in the ears and distorted or muffled hearing, should seek guidance from a hearing doctor.
The Federal Trade Commission advises people seek professional hearing advice from:
- otolaryngologists
- audiologists
- a hearing aid dispenser or specialist
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association cautions people against purchasing ill-fitting, non-customized over-the-counter hearing devices. Risks of using these devices include further damage and worsening of hearing loss.
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about TruHearing.
How much do TruHearing aids cost?
TruHearing does not state how much its hearing aids cost.
However, the company claims it can save its customers an average of $3,499 per pair of hearing aids.
Is TruHearing TPA?
TruHearing is a third-party administrator (TPA), which means an insurance company has a contract with or owns TruHearing. A TPA aims to manage the hearing aid component of insurance at a price that is lower than average.
However, a person may wish to consider contacting an audiologist, hospital, or health clinic to see whether they can purchase hearing aids at a discount if they have a smaller budget.
Does Beltone work with TruHearing?
Beltone is a hearing aid manufacturer. Currently, TruHearing does not carry this brand.
TruHearing offers affordable hearing aids through discount programs. A person can call the company to discuss their options and find the best program for their requirements.
Several state and local agencies may offer financial assistance to help people purchase hearing aids. If a person is eligible for their state’s Medicaid insurance, they may pay only a portion of the costs.