18161 Morris Ave, Ste 105, Homewood, IL 60430 * 708.799.5520
About Homewood Hearing Center
Homewood Hearing Center is a complete source for all hearing healthcare needs, serving Homewood, IL and the surrounding communities for over 35 years. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service.
Hearing Aids
When you purchase your hearing aids from Homewood Hearing Center, you can expect to find the best hearing aids for your personal needs at the best prices. In addition, your follow-up appointments are at no charge. It is very important to us that you receive the best customer care possible.
We carry five major manufacturers in our office to meet the hearing needs and budget of our patients. We offer hearing aids in all styles (behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-canal, and custom products including in-the-ear, half-shell, in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids).
How active your lifestyle is will help determine the technology level of the hearing aids. The higher the technology level, the more adjustments that are available to fine tune hearing aids for each patient's individual needs. For example, hearing aids with a higher technology level may work better in noisy environments, control feedback better, and provide amplification more personalized to a patient's hearing loss.
We offer some hearing aids that work with the iPhone or Bluetooth as an option. We also have hearing aids that use rechargeable batteries which last much longer in the hearing aids (about a year) and are convenient for some patients.
When making that original purchase of the hearing aids, we discuss all aspects like social needs, dexterity, vision, and financial constraints with you to make sure the hearing aids will be fit to your specific needs appropriately.
We carry five major manufacturers in our office to meet the hearing needs and budget of our patients.
We can repair almost any manufacturer. back to top
Services
Complete Hearing Testing
Hearing Aid Adjustments for Many Manufacturers
Repair of Almost Any Hearing Aid
Audiological Rehabilitation and Counseling
Coordination of Care with Physicians
Adjustments, tubing changes, cleaning of hearing aids, and in-house repairs of hearing aids are free for patients who have purchased hearing aids from Homewood Hearing Center.
A small fee applies for patients who have purchased their hearing aids elsewhere.
Repairs that must be sent to the hearing aid’s manufacturer may require a fee if that hearing aid is no longer under warranty. back to top
Products
- Hearing Aids
- Domes and Wax Baskets for RIC (receiver-in-the-canal) hearing aids
- Custom swim plugs, musician earplugs, custom noise protectors, and ear molds
- Dehumidifier Products for Hearing Aids like Dry & Store and Dry Caddy
- Hearing Aid Batteries
- Battery Testers
- Ear Planes for flying
- Assistive listening devices like alarm clocks, shake awake, smoke detectors, door bells
- Amplified Telephones, including Caption Call phone
Unitron Flex: For Patients Who Would Like To Try Before They Buy
Do you think you have hearing loss but are not sure what hearing aids can do to help? The FLEX hearing aid program by Unitron might be just for you! The FLEX program allows you to try amplification (hearing aids) appropriate for your hearing loss in your environmental surroundings before making a purchasing decision. You do not have to make any payment towards hearing aids during your participation in the FLEX program. This allows you to evaluate the hearing aids while doing those activities you love to do over the course of a few weeks. If hearing aids improve your participation in those activities, then you can purchase them. If not, you can return them without being charged a fitting fee. back to top
About the Audiologist
Sheri Larks began practicing audiology 27 years ago. She received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Science and her Master’s Degree in Audiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She decided to become an audiologist due to her experiences with ear infections and ear surgery. As a result of her medical history, she currently wears hearing aids in both ears. She prides herself on providing excellent and individualized customer service to all her patients. back to top
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have Medicare, is there a charge for a Hearing Evaluation?
A: Yes. The charge is $70, but we will bill Medicare first since we are doing the test for diagnostic purposes
Q: Does Medicare pay for Hearing Aids?
A: No.
Q: How much do Hearing Aids cost?
A: The price of Hearing Aids varies depending on the technology and model of Hearing Aids appropriate for your hearing loss. It is best to see an Audiologist to find out what is appropriate for your needs.
Q: Do insurance companies other than Medicare pay for Hearing Aids?
A: Some insurance plans pay for Hearing Aids and some do not. It is best to check with your particular insurance carrier to find out if they cover Hearing Aids amplification or durable medical equipment.
Q: Do I need to see a medical doctor to get a Hearing Aid?
A: If you are over 18, you can forgo seeing a medical doctor and sign a medical clearance waiver. However, if you are under 18, you should get medical clearance from a doctor before being fit with hearing aids.
Q: I have a hard time hearing the television, but I am not ready to try Hearing Aids. What can I do?
A: TrueDio Ears is a radiofrequency system which brings the sound of the TV directly to your ears for better understanding. The headset can be adjusted to your hearing loss to give you help where you need it most.
Q: I have a hard time understanding people on the phone. Is there anything that can help me?
A: You may want to try the Caption Call amplified telephone. Not only does the headset amplify the sound you hear, you can see what the other person is saying on a large, easy-to-read screen.
Q: Why do you discuss a patient's vision and dexterity when purchasing hearing aids?
A: To ensure that a patient is able to successfully put the hearing aid in their ear, remove the hearing aid, and change the battery, if the hearing aid is non-rechargeable.
Q: What is the process for purchasing a hearing aid?
A:
- A medical history including medications is obtained
- The patient’s hearing is tested
- The result of the hearing test is reviewed with the patient and their family members, if present
- Discuss whether or not amplification is recommended (obtain medical clearance or waiver if patient wants to pursue amplification, if over 18 years old)
- Talk about styles and levels of technology that would be appropriate for the patient as well as pricing
- The patient always makes the final decision whether or not to purchase hearing aids
- If you decide to purchase hearing aids:
- A purchase agreement will be filled out stating make, model, warranty information and pricing
- Impressions of ears will be done for hearing aids and/or ear molds if needed
- Date for delivery in approximately two weeks will be set
- At delivery, hearing aid(s) will be programmed according to patient’s hearing loss. Patient will learn how to insert/remove battery and insert/remove hearing aid from ear. Patients will also learn general care and maintenance and how to operate the hearing aid
- The patient has 30 days from the date of delivery to decide if hearing is improved in their environment. During this time, the patient will return to the audiologist for recheck appointments and possible hearing aid adjustments and counseling. If the patient is not satisfied they will receive a refund less a fitting fee.
Q: Do hearing tests hurt?
A: Hearing tests do not hurt. Headphones or insert earphones are worn during the test, which some patients may find uncomfortable. back to top