Telehealth has expanded the ways we receive care, often offering a more convenient and affordable option for a range of treatments. As both adoption and technological capabilities expand, so too have the treatment options, spanning preventive, urgent and specialty services. For example, you may be able to receive care for hearing loss from the comfort of your home.
More than 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, including a growing amount of younger adults — due in some part to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds.
To help improve access to hearing health care, UnitedHealthcare Hearing has introduced a new capability to help improve online access to hearing care for eligible members. Through the offering, UnitedHealthcare Hearing can help members access hearing health care services from home, including:
- Making hearing care appointments, learning more about their degree of hearing loss and getting solutions via a smartphone app
- At-home delivery for customized prescription hearing aids
- Follow-up care through virtual appointments with hearing professionals
- Hearing aid customization via a remote connection to a smartphone or tablet
“As more Americans embrace telemedicine, this virtual care capability is a crucial part of our comprehensive approach to making hearing health care and hearing aids more convenient, accessible and affordable,” said David Falda, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Hearing.
Making hearing care more accessible and convenient may help improve overall well-being, as untreated hearing loss may contribute to a higher risk of falls, cognitive decline and isolation in older adults.
If you are experiencing hearing loss, you may want to consider the benefits of virtual care.
Here’s how it works:
1. Get your hearing tested
Before your appointment, you’ll need to meet with a hearing care professional for a comprehensive hearing exam. This test produces an audiogram, which is what is used to help program your hearing aids to your specific hearing loss.
2. Virtual appointment
Gather important information like your current medical history or health conditions to prepare for your appointment. Consider writing down your symptoms of hearing loss, whether or not you’ve had exposure to loud environments and any questions that you may have.
During your virtual appointment, you’ll have time to go over the results of your hearing test, address any of your questions or concerns, and recommend a hearing aid for you.
3. Home-delivered hearing aids
Through UnitedHealthcare Hearing, your hearing aids may be shipped directly to your home. You’ll join another virtual appointment where a hearing care professional will walk you through wearing your hearing aids for the first time and make sure everything is fitting and working properly. You can also schedule follow up appointments and have your hearing aids adjusted remotely through a smartphone app – without the need for an office visit.
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One additional consideration: To help make hearing aids more affordable, millions of AARP® members may have access to additional support through the AARP® Hearing Solutions provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing. The program offers access to a licensed hearing professional and personalized assistance from UnitedHealthcare during and after purchase, enabling people to save on prescription hearing aids that start as low as $699.
It may be tempting to put off seeking help for hearing loss, but many times, the sooner you take action, the better. Considering the potential benefits of virtual care may be an easy first step at getting the help you need.
For more information, visit uhchearing.com
