The different models of aids and their costs

Cost of batteries

The price of hearing aid batteries is capped and sellers cannot ask for more.

Batteries are sold in packs of six and, depending on their capacity, you may be reimbursed for between three to 10 packs per year. People suffering from hearing loss on both sides are able to claim battery reimbursement for twice the annual limit.

To avoid extra out-of-pocket costs, discuss the issue of battery life and how many you will need per year for the hearing aid.

If you buy a device that uses more power than standard models, you may have to buy extra batteries above the reimbursable limit. Note that some aids are now rechargeable rather than requiring batteries.

Prescription conditions

The initial prescription for patients aged six and up, must be written by an ENT doctor.

Children under six need to be examined by a specialised ENT doctor who has received additional training.

To renew a prescription, children under six can be examined by any ENT doctor (no specialist required) and people over six can obtain this via their GP.

When shopping for hearing aids, sellerare required to show customers at least two Class I products before they can show a Class 2 product.

State regulations also require sellers to provide customers with detailed price quotes using a standard model.

Customers are entitled to a 30-day test trial before being required to make a purchase decision.

Hearing aids can be renewed every four years. To determine the date when you become eligible for a renewal, use your purchase billing date.

Using a hearing aid for the first time?

Adjustment to hearing aids can be quite slow and uncomfortable. Your brain will need to adjust to the new sensory stimulus. It may take three to six months to get the full benefit, using it daily for four to eight hours a day.

Hearing aids, however, are not perfect and they cannot restore full hearing.

Generally, with the basic models, you can expect to recover from a third to a half of your hearing loss.

Advise your doctor of any changes to the quality of your hearing (echoes, reverberations, distortions, muffled sounds, difficulty in distinguishing sounds, problems with phone conversations, etc).

A hearing aid must be carefully maintained to keep it in proper working order. If this is done it can last up to five years.

It is recommended that you clean it daily and avoid exposure to moisture as this can cause permanent damage. If your ears get wet store your device in a protective case until completely dry.

Wearing a hearing aid is likely to increase secretion of ear wax.

Maintaining ear hygiene is essential as wax can clog the microphone and receiver units and cause damage to your device. You can use a gentle brush to remove any dirt, taking extra precaution with the battery compartment.

If your hearing aid is equipped with a wax guard, make sure you replace this regularly. Also, it is recommended that you get regular check-ups with an ENT doctor to ensure that the device is not causing any damage to your ear canal. This examination should be performed every three to six months.

Types of hearing aids

A basic form of hearing aid is the ‘Octave’ listening assistant, available in most pharmacies, which can be bought without a prescription. The device amplifies sound signals by 11 to 20 dB but it does not process or filter sound. As a result, the device is less expensive than a proper hearing aid. It is not covered by either social security or top-up insurance.

‘Proper’ aids come in several kinds, all of which can be found under the 100% santé scheme if you shop around. 

BTE hearing aids

‘Classic’ BTE hearing aids have most of the components housed in a small case ‘behind the ear’. A 2-3cm tube loops over the ear connecting it to a custom-made ear-mould placed inside the ear canal.

These are generally sturdy and are recommended for children and elderly people experiencing hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. Batteries need changing every 15 days on average. The usual price range is €500-€2,000 per ear.

You can also find light, slim versions of this advertised as ‘micro’ BTE.

BTE’s with remote earpiece

These earpieces (contour à écouteur déporté) are smaller and more discreet.

Suitable for mild to profound cases of hearing loss, in these models the speaker part is contained in the unit that is placed inside the ear and it is separate from the part of the device placed behind the ear.

While these models also have a long battery life, they tend to be more fragile and can deteriorate more easily.

Another disadvantage is that they may fall off more easily and therefore be less suitable for a highly physical lifestyle. The average price is €800-€2,000 per ear.

The classic in-ears

Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss, these are custom-made and have the advantage of being discreet as they cannot be seen by someone standing across from you. In-ears (intra-auriculaire) are placed within the ear canal and several ear fitting tests and measurements must be performed in advance to build them.

These devices are more efficient in amplifying sound; however, they are more fragile than other models. They are more sensitive to moisture and can be damaged by ear wax. They also tend to have a smaller battery that generally does not exceed four to five days. The price for an in-ear is typically around €1,500 per ear.

Deep in-ears

These devices, also called ‘invisible’ aids, are lodged inside the ear and are not visible from the outside. They are placed deep within the ear canal. They are not recommended for profound hearing loss.

Often costing up to €1,700 per ear, they are quite fragile and sound quality may be less pronounced due to the smaller size of the device.