Hearing Aids

Hearing aids in Charlotte, NC

If you’re looking for hearing aids in and around Charlotte, NC, look no further than Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. (CEENTA). Treating hearing loss has several advantages including managing tinnitus (ringing in the ears), lowering the risk of dementia, and improving overall quality of life.

In addition to being a source for Charlotte hearing aids, our audiology departments also offer a variety of bone-anchored hearing systems, implantable and non-implantable, cochlear implants, a range of accessories and assistive listening devices and hearing aid batteries.

Call 704-295-3000 to Schedule a Hearing Aid Appointment

Audiologists have a minimum of a master’s degree (M.A., M.S., or M.Ed.) and many have earned either a clinical doctorate (Au.D) or academic doctorate (Ph.D) status. The minimum entrance degree for Audiology has become the Au.D. degree. This means that your services are being provided by a professional team who have between six and eight years of college education. There are no other professionals better trained or able to serve your hearing needs.

How much do hearing aids cost?

Prices vary greatly depending on circuit technology, ranging from $1,000-3,250 per hearing aid. CEENTA offers free consultations to discuss what will work best for your budget and listening needs.

What types do you sell?

Digital hearing aids have the highest degree of programmability as they use only digital electronics. They are designed to process sounds to provide audibility and comfort in a range of environmental situations. There is a range of levels of technology available to meet the needs of every lifestyle.

Our experience has helped us select the best and most reliable hearing aids from all major manufacturers:

• Resound
• Widex
• Starkey
• Phonak
• Signia
• Oticon. 

The best hearing aid choice for any patient will depend on various factors including individual hearing loss, physical ear structures, lifestyle, and cosmetic or appearance preferences. Our hearing care professionals work with each patient and their family during the consultation and trial periods to determine the amplification system most appropriate for them.

Our audiology department also offers implantable hearing aids, cochlear implants, hearing aid batteries, and hearing aid supplies and batteries.

Hearing Aid Styles for Every Lifestyle

Hearing aids come in a large variety of styles with a wide range of technology. Hearing aids are selected based on the individual hearing needs of each person, based on their lifestyle. Not all hearing solutions are suitable for all hearing losses or all lifestyles. Final selection is decided together with your audiologist.

Extended Wear Hearing Aid Style:

Extended wear hearing aids sit invisibly in the ear canal for 8-10 weeks at a time. These are an excellent solution for patients with active lifestyles, tinnitus, or for those who do not want to fuss with hearing aids on a daily basis.

In the Ear Hearing Aid Styles:

Invisible in the Canal: These hearing aids sit invisibly in the ear canal.

Completely in the Canal: These fit entirely within the ear canal.

In the Canal: These sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. They are larger than those that sit completely in the canal, and can hold additional technology and larger batteries.

Full Shell or In the Ear: These sit flush with the outer ear bowl. They use a larger battery and can fit additional technology.

Behind the Ear Hearing Aid Styles:

Receiver in Ear: These models have the speaker incorporated in the ear tip instead of the main body of the hearing aid.

Mini Behind-the-Ear: These are designed to hide behind the outer ear, and the ultra-thin tubing sits in the ear canal.

Behind the Ear with Ear Mold: These hearing aids are larger and can hold more features and technology.

Call 704-295-3000 to Schedule a Hearing Aid Appointment

HEARING AID BRANDS AT CEENTA

ReSound hearing aids are designed to help users stay connected to the sounds and people that matter most. The ReSound Sensia platform is available in a variety of styles, offering personalized hearing support, wireless connectivity, and intuitive controls for everyday listening.

Widex is known for delivering natural, comfortable sound quality. The Widex Allure platform is available in both rechargeable receiver-in-canal models and custom hearing aids, helping patients hear more clearly while maintaining a personalized fit and listening experience.

Built in the United States, Starkey hearing aids combine advanced sound processing with innovative health and wellness features. The Starkey Omega AI+ platform is available across a wide range of styles, allowing patients to choose the hearing aid design that best fits their needs and preferences.

Phonak hearing aids are known for their exceptional performance in a wide range of listening environments. Popular options include the Phonak Audéo Infinio and Phonak Audéo Eon, which offer rechargeable technology, seamless connectivity, and enhanced speech understanding. For patients who prefer a custom fit, Phonak also offers discreet in-the-ear options on its Infinio platform.

Signia combines modern design with advanced hearing technology. Current options include the Pure Charge&Go MaX, Styletto IX, and Silk Charge&Go IX hearing aids. These devices offer rechargeable convenience, Bluetooth connectivity, and sleek styles ranging from traditional receiver-in-canal designs to nearly invisible in-the-ear options.

Oticon hearing aids are designed to support how the brain processes sound, helping users stay engaged in conversations and everyday activities. Current options include the Oticon Intent Reveal, Oticon Verit, Oticon Zeal, and Oticon Own SI platforms, offering solutions ranging from rechargeable receiver-in-canal devices to custom in-the-ear hearing aids.

Does health insurance cover hearing aids?

Typically, standard health insurance does not cover them. There are infrequent occasions, however, when special hearing aid benefits are included in health care coverage. Check with your insurance agent or human resources department to learn if your insurance includes hearing aid benefits. If they are covered, pre-authorization may be required. Our support team will contact your insurance company for specific information about the extent of the benefits. 

Unfortunately, Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Insurance do not pay for hearing aids. They are not considered “necessary or reasonable” according to Medicare guidelines and are generally an out-of-pocket expense. 

Choosing the right hearing aid

Dynamic Lifestyle: for frequent background noise (parties, social events, airport travel, sporting events, noisy restaurants, public places)

Active Lifestyle: for occasional background noise (small meetings, quiet work environment, spending time outdoors, small restaurants, radio or home music, watching tv)

Quiet Lifestyle: for limited background noise (quiet restaurants, attending a movie or theater, home activities, one-on-one meetings, telephone use)

Private Lifestyle: for rare background noise (one-on-one conversations, home activities, watching television, small places of worship, limited telephone use)

What level of hearing improvement is reasonable?

This varies from person to person based upon the extent and nature of the hearing loss. Individuals with mild to moderate nerve hearing loss can expect to have good hearing sensitivity and improved word understanding.

Despite advances in hearing aid technology, hearing in the presence of background noise continues to be a problem. However, directional microphone technology and connective accessories can significantly improve word understanding in some noisy situations. We will be happy to discuss this option during the hearing aid evaluation.

I know people that have hearing aids and do not wear them. Will this happen to me?

Properly selected and fit hearing aids are very successful. We recognize, however, that it is important that every hearing aid patient have a thirty-day trial opportunity. This provides ample time for you to learn about amplification. It also allows time for adjustment to improved hearing and affords the audiologist time to fine-tune your instruments. At the end of thirty days, you will have a realistic appreciation of hearing aid performance. If they do not suit you, they can be returned for a full refund minus a small trial fee.

What warranty is provided?

The standard industry hearing aid warranty from the manufacturer is for one year and covers repairs, remakes and a one-time replacement for loss and/or accidental damage. CEENTA provides one to three years of repair warranty on all new hearing aid purchases. Most repairs can be made through our offices. Specifics are discussed in detail at the time of hearing aid order.

Hearing aid batteries in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. is the ideal location to purchase batteries for your hearing aids.

CEENTA offers the most the advanced and cutting-edge hearing aid technology. The latest features of modern hearing aids include direct connectivity to smartphones and devices with rechargeable batteries. In addition to being a premier clinic in Charlotte for hearing aids, our audiology departments also offer a variety of bone-anchored hearing systems, cochlear implants, and a range of accessories and assistive listening devices.

Hearing Aid Battery Size

Batteries for hearing aids come in a variety of sizes, types and brands. Manufacturers of hearing aid batteries have now color-coded their packaging to make finding your battery easier than ever.

• Size 10 or hearing aid batteries are yellow 
• Size 13 hearing aid batteries are orange 
• Size 312 hearing aid batteries are brown 
• Size 675 hearing aid batteries are blue 

Most hearing aid batteries are “zinc air batteries,” which are not activated until you pull off the colored tab. Hearing aid battery life depends on the size of the batteries and how much you use the hearing aid. To get the most life from your batteries, remember to open the door when you aren’t wearing your hearing aid. Change the battery when it goes dead or when you hear a low battery warning, and always keep spare batteries with you.

Battery warning: Hearing aid batteries are hazardous if ingested. Keep batteries out of reach of children or animals. Do not store batteries with your medications. If accidentally ingested, please call your primary physician immediately or call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333.

Call 704-295-3000 to Schedule a Hearing Aid Appointment