Comfort of home audiology

(508) 887-6283

FAQs

Who can benefit from in-home/traveling audiology services?

Any adult with hearing concerns will benefit. The focus of this practice is on convenience and improving the hearing healthcare of adults. Flexible appointment times are available including evenings, days and Saturdays. These flexible options are great for those with a busy schedule. In-home services also focus on helping those with transportation issues. Services are provided at Assisted Living facilities, Retirement Communities, Nursing Homes and Home Visits. Patients should not have to wait weeks to get a ride to see an audiologist. By providing services in the home, patients can receive hearing evaluations, hearing aid repairs, etc. within 1-2 days and do not need to leave their home.

Are in-home services as thorough as in-office services?

Yes, our high-tech equipment is portable. Adjustments will be made to account for the fact that the hearing test is not done in a soundproof booth. Services in the home are very personalized and allow the audiologist to take an in-depth look at how you hear in your home. Hearing aids are fit in your most common listening environment, which may allow for greater hearing aid success. Accessories for the TV, phone, etc. are set up for you and made sure they are working properly. 

Are in-home services expensive?

In-homes services are similar or better in price compared to those you would find in an office setting. By having the audiologist come to your home, you are saving yourself gas and the hassle of travel time. Financing options are available for hearing aid purchases. 

What can I expect during my first appointment/visit?

At your initial visit the audiologist will ask you questions regarding your hearing history, such as hearing concerns, medical history related to your ears, history of noise exposure, etc. The audiologist will look into your ears to see if wax is present. A thorough hearing evaluation will then take place in a quiet area of your home. You will wear headphones to listen for soft tones and will be asked to repeat words. The audiologist will then review the results with you and explain the implications of your hearing loss, if present. You will be given a detailed report of the results. 

If you are a candidate for hearing aids, the audiologist will discuss your options, based on your individual hearing loss, lifestyle and budget. If hearing aids are not an option, the audiologist will discuss communication strategies to help you communicate effectively with others. The audiologist may also recommend assistive listening devices to help you hear better in your home, including devices for the TV and phone. 

Will a hearing aid really help? My friend bought a hearing aid and it sits in the drawer!

It is important to remember that everyone has different hearing abilities and certain hearing losses respond better to hearing aids than others.  Specific testing will be done during the hearing evaluation to determine if you are a hearing aid candidate. If you are not an ideal hearing aid candidate, hearing aids will not be recommended and other options to help you hear will be discussed. 

If hearing aids are recommended it is exciting to know that they are constantly improving and are now very advanced. Hearing aids are programmed to your specific hearing loss and many improvements have been made to help you hear better in noisy environments, such as restaurants or when driving in the car. It is also important to know that hearing aids can easily be adjusted by your audiologist. During follow-up appointments you will be asked if certain sounds or listening situations are difficult and we will work hard to make sure you are pleased with your hearing aids.

Comfort of Home Audiology also has specialized, state-of-the-art equipment called Speech Mapping/Real Ear Measurement. This advanced equipment adjusts the hearing aid to make sure it is fit appropriately for your hearing loss and takes into account your ear canal shape and size. This allows for a more accurate hearing aid fitting and may reduce the amount of follow-up visits needed. 

Do you follow-up with me after the hearing aid fitting?

Of course! Appointments will be scheduled after the initial fitting to be sure you are satisfied with your hearing aids. The audiologist will also be available by email and phone if questions arise. All hearing aids come with a thirty day trial period, meaning that if you are not satisfied with your hearing aids after multiple followup visits, the hearing aids can be returned. Your money will be refunded, minus a professional fee. 

​My parent was recently diagnosed with dementia, is a hearing test recommended?

Yes. Research has found that dementia may actually progress faster in patients with untreated hearing loss. It is extremely important that hearing loss be diagnosed and treated in patients with dementia.

Hearing loss can often be misinterpreted as depression, anxiety or cognitive impairment. In-home hearing evaluations can determine if a hearing loss is indeed present and help the family formulate an appropriate treatment plan. 

What insurance plans are accepted?

Medicare, Medicaid (MassHealth), UniCare GIC, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Community Health (Navicare), United Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield are accepted. All other patients are considered private pay.