Frequently Asked Questions
- Call to schedule a diagnostic hearing evaluation at the Kaiser Permanente Hearing Center that’s closest to you.
- After your evaluation is complete, we will schedule you for a hearing aid consultation. During this 60-minute appointment, we’ll review the results of your hearing tests, review your listening needs, give you realistic expectations, and discuss the different sizes, technology levels, and costs of hearing aids.
- Payment must be made to prior to ordering the hearing aids.
- Once you purchase hearing aids, you will be scheduled for a hearing aid orientation appointment approximately 2–3 weeks later.
- The hearing aid orientation appointment is also 60 minutes. During this time, the hearing aids will be programmed for your hearing loss. You will practice inserting and removing the hearing aid(s) and batteries, and you’ll be shown how to clean and care for the devices.
- The 45-day trial period begins the day of your hearing aid orientation. During this period, you may return or exchange the hearings aids. An appointment is required to return or exchange the hearing aids.
- You will be scheduled for a hearing aid follow-up appointment 1–2 weeks after your hearing aid orientation appointment.
Check to see if the unit is turned on, if the volume is too low, or if the battery is dead. Please also refer to the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide for the device. If none of these options work, contact your Kaiser Permanente Hearing Center.
Costs will include the manufacturer warranty for repair and loss/damage (3 years in most cases) and follow-up appointments for programming adjustments.
Depending on your plan, you may be eligible for some benefit. Please call Member Services at 800-777-7904 (TTY 711) to check your benefits. If you don’t have a benefit, you may purchase hearing aids anywhere you prefer. Benefitted members must obtain their hearing aids through Kaiser Permanente.
Kaiser Permanente prices its hearing aids very competitively. Our devices on average cost 25 to 40% less than those offered by other hearing centers in the DC metro region. Your hearing aid will be approximately $850 to $2,400, depending on the type of technology.
Oticon, Phonak, Signia (Siemens), and Starkey. More information about these companies and their devices can be found on their websites at Oticon.com, Phonak.com, Signiausa.com, and Starkey.com.
All audiologists have a doctorate in audiology.
Kaiser Permanente offers a standard 3-year warranty.