Monday, November 19, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
This is the day when my scheduled appointment at the Hearing Center is to include my “significant other,” as they put it. So by the time we drove to Union City, through holiday traffic, found parking, got out the scooter and put Emily in her leather carrier on the floorboard, and walked inside and up the elevator, it was 10:56 a.m. So we didn’t have to wait long.
Linda liked Dr. Ahuja immediately. She settled us into her office and then explained the levels, and cost, for each one, based on activities and lifestyle. Dr. Ahuja said that the cost is based on the level of technology required and not on the physical style of the hearing aids. I thought I would be okay with the 4th level (out of 5), but Linda thought I should have Level 3.
She then showed us a sample of the most commonly used device, a small plastic case that goes behind the ear with a thin wire attached to the piece that goes into the ear. We handled the device and looked at it from all angles. Dr. Ahuja said it comes in several colors, shades of black, gray, and brown. Linda and I agreed that black would probably be the best color for me.
The hearing aids use batteries and some are rechargeable. Some have bluetooth capability and can sync with phone apps. The charger is $150.
Then we talked finances. Dr. Ahuja had already checked my hearing “benefits” (which I pay $20/month extra for with my Kaiser Medicare Advantage), said “benefits” being only $350 per ear. She gave us a few moments of privacy to discuss with each other. When she came back, we were ready to place the order. Well, Linda was ready. If it had been just me, I probably would have put it off for a few months.
Dr. Ahuja made sure we understood that payment in full is due at the time the hearing aids are picked up and fitted. Then I signed the paperwork. Before we left, we scheduled the fitting appointment for three weeks, before which time we will need to make the necessary financial transactions to be able to make payment.
The entire appointment took less than an hour, so we were actually able to get to Olive Garden by noon!
