Adult Audiology at UNC Hospitals
Adult Hearing Aid Dispensing Program at UNC Hospitals
Introduction
Welcome to the Adult Hearing Aid Dispensing Program at UNC Hospitals! Our goal is to provide the best care to each patient through comprehensive hearing evaluations, a highly individualized approach to the selection and fitting of state-of-the-art hearing aid technology, and easy access to exceptional follow-up care. We are able to evaluate and repair any make and model of hearing aid and can provide each patient with objective information about the performance of their hearing aids, regardless of where the hearing aids were purchased. We have access to the latest digital hearing aid technology from a variety of hearing aid manufacturers.
Hearing Aids at UNC Hospitals
The first step in obtaining hearing aids at UNC Hospitals is a comprehensive hearing evaluation with one of our audiologists. The hearing evaluation usually includes otoscopy and physicial examination of the ears, pure tone air conduction and bone conduction testing, speech reception thresholds and word recognition testing. A comprehensive hearing evaluation may also include tympanometry, acoustic reflex testing, and objective measurements of hearing (otoacoustic emissions and/or auditory brainstem response testing). If testing reveals the need for further medical evaluation, our audiologists are able to refer the patient to one of the highly-experienced Ear, Nose, Throat physicians from the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery.
If it is determined that the patient could potentially benefit from amplification, the audiologist will discuss hearing aid options with the patient during a hearing aid consultation. Because everyone's listening needs are unique and every hearing loss is different, hearing aids come in a varienty of levels of technology, sizes, colors and styles, and features. During the course of the hearing aid consultation, the audiologist will help the patient select the most appropriate hearing aid for their particular listening needs and lifestyle requirements.
All hearing aids come with a 30-day trial period. After the initial hearing aid fitting appointment, the patient may be required to attend follow-up appoitments for hearing aid adjustments and fine tuning. If the patient is unable to adjust to amplification during the trial period, the hearing aids may be may be returned for a refund. Testing and fitting fees are non-refundable.
UNC Hospitals recognizes that hearing aids are expensive and may be difficult for some patients to afford. Prior to the hearing aid fitting, one of our medical support assistants will verify any hearing aid benefits offered by your health insurance provider(s). UNC Hospitals also offers zero-interest payment plans on all hearing aids. And for those patients with very limited financial resourses, UNC Hospitals also participates in Starkey Hearing Foundation's Hear Now program.
Information about Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Locations
The Adult Heaing Aid Dispensing Program is able to offer a full range of hearing aid services at two locations:
UNC Hospitals
Audiology Clinic
Ground Floor Neurosciences Hospital
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 275143280
Phone: (919) 843-4479
Fax: (919) 843-3280
UNC Hospitals
Hearing and Voice Center at Carolina Pointe I
5915 Farrington Road, Suite 105
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: (919) 490-3716
Fax: (919) 490-5818
Patient Resources
UNC Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Starkey Hearing Foundation Hear Now Program
North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
