Hearing Aids: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see an audiologist?
Physician referrals are not necessary. Simply call one of our locations to schedule an appointment:
UNC Hospitals (N.C. Neurosciences Hospital): (919) 843-4479
UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center (satellite clinic): (919) 490-3716
Do I need to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physician before purchasing a hearing aid?
For our adult patients, it is strongly recommended that you see an ENT physician as part of the evaluation of hearing loss, and before being fitted for hearing aids. If your comprehensive hearing evaluation reveals the need to see an ENT physician, our audiologists will refer you to the appropriate physician with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Every child fitted with hearing aids at UNC Health Care will first be evaluated by a physician with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Are hearing aids covered by my health insurance plan?
Some insurance plans do help pay for hearing aids. Because every health insurance plan is different, it is necessary to check with your individual provider. And we can help you with this! Our business associate will contact your health insurance provider to check for hearing aid benefits prior to the hearing aid fitting appointment. For our patients who do not have coverage for hearing aids through their health insurance, UNC Hospitals offers a zero-interest payment plan. UNC Hospitals also participates in The Starkey Hearing Foundation's "Hear Now" program. Hear Now is a non-profit program for individuals with hearing loss who could benefit from amplification but have limited financial resources. UNC Hospitals is committed to helping all of our patients find the right financial path to better hearing!
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for hearing aids?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide coverage for hearing aids at this time. Medicaid does cover amplification for patients from birth to age 21. For more information about programs for children with hearing impairment offered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, please visit the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EDHI) website. If you have further questions about these programs, please contact one of our pediatric audiologists at (919) 966-6495.
