5 UnitedHealthcare Hearing benefits to get on your radar
Ongoing support and affordable hearing aids are just two of the perks to having a hearing plan. Check out some of the other benefits that will help your ears.
Are you taking full advantage of your UnitedHealthcare Hearing plan? Maybe you’ve never had a baseline hearing test before. Or you’ve started asking people to speak up lately, and you wonder whether you may have a hearing problem. Or perhaps you already wear hearing aids, but you’re thinking about getting an upgrade.
Your plan comes with lots of benefits that support good hearing. Read on to discover them.
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UnitedHealthcare Hearing helps members access hearing exams, hearing aids and more. Sign in to learn more and check eligibility.
1. Top-notch provider network
UnitedHealthcare Hearing has more than 6,500 provider locations. “We partner with both the local independent practices as well as the major chains,” says Laura Richardson, Au.D. She’s an audiologist and vice president of clinical delivery at UnitedHealthcare Hearing.
That means you have a choice of where you want to get your care. And that you can find an in-network provider no matter where you live. “We want to make sure you can get somewhere quickly and have access to affordable hearing care,” says Richardson.
If you have trouble locating a provider, there’s also an easy online tool you can use. Enter your zip code, and you’ll see a list of nearby hearing care professionals. Even better, the recommended providers will show at the top of the list. These are the hearing care providers who are top-rated by other UnitedHealthcare Hearing members.
2. A no-cost hearing exam and consultation
During your appointment, you’ll take several tests. You’ll listen to a series of tones that can measure your degree of hearing loss. You’ll also listen to a series of words, with and without background noise.
Then your hearing care professional will explain the results to you and discuss next steps.
If you need hearing aids, they’ll ask questions about your lifestyle and hobbies. This helps them determine what type of hearing aid will work best.
“Everyone should get a hearing test by the time they turn 40 or 50,” says Richardson. “Unfortunately, many people wait until they’re having a hard time hearing before they go in.”
Ready to request a hearing exam and consultation? UnitedHealthcare Hearing has a wide network of hearing care professionals. Find a provider.
3. A fitting plus unlimited visits for the first 60 days
Your hearing plan covers multiple visits in the first few months after you get hearing aids:
- The hearing aid fitting, where you try on your new devices
- A 60-day trial period afterward with unlimited visits
It takes some time to get accustomed to hearing aids, especially if you’re new to them, notes Richardson. That’s one reason for the 60-day trial period. During that time, you get unlimited visits. Plus, you’ll be able to get your questions answered by your hearing care professional.
For instance, you might wear your devices for a couple of weeks and notice what sounds good and what could use a little improvement, explains Richardson. Then you can go back to your hearing provider so they can make any changes.
Give it a little bit of time to get used to your hearing aids, Richardson says. “But lean on your provider and let them know what you’re experiencing, because everybody’s different.”
4. Many high-tech device options
One big benefit of a UnitedHealthcare Hearing plan? You have a wide array of devices to choose from, and you’ll get the best and latest technology.
Some of that tech allows you to stream TV shows, phone calls and music right into your ears via your hearing aids. It helps you find your devices when you misplace them, too. The high-tech options also filter noise better. This helps you distinguish between background noise and speech.
You also have access to Relate® hearing aids, a private-label brand accessed exclusively through UnitedHealthcare Hearing. Relate hearing aids deliver the same technology and clear sounds as name brands. For instance, they’re Bluetooth enabled and come with an app. But they are more affordable.
What does this mean for you? You can find hearing aids that fit your needs, your technological skills and your budget.
5. Ongoing support for several years
With UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you get support when you need it. This includes:
- Follow-up visits. After the 60-day trial period, you also have up to 3 follow-up visits during the first year, depending on your plan. Chances are, your hearing care professional will want you to schedule at least one of those follow-ups to check on the devices, says Richardson.
They can clean your devices and reprogram them if needed. That’s another reason to schedule a follow-up visit.
- 3-year warranty. Hearing aids are a big investment. So it’s good to have a long-term warranty, notes Richardson. The United Healthcare Hearing warranty covers repairs, and for a small fee, a replacement if you lose one or both hearing aids within those 3 years.
“We want to make sure that you have enough opportunities to connect back with your provider,” Richardson explains. Best of all, all that support is included in the cost of your hearing aids.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
Network size varies by market.
Relate® is a registered trademark of Ear Professionals International, LLC and is manufactured by Sonova. For assistance, if needed, or to report unexpected operations or events please contact Sonova at [email protected].
