Frequently asked questions
Call UnitedHealthcare Hearing Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST at 1-877-488-5575, TTY 711 to make a one-time payment. UnitedHealthcare Hearing accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express.
For financing, Care Credit is an available option. You can apply by going to www.carecredit.com/apply, or by calling 1-800-677-0718 after reading through the Care Credit Cardholder Agreement. If you are approved, they will provide you with a 16-digit account number. Please contact us at UHC Hearing with your account number to process your hearing aid order.
- Write your Patient ID number on your check.
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Send the check to:
UHC Hearing
11000 Optum Circle, MN102-0200
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Your hearing aid(s) will be shipped to your UnitedHealthcare Hearing provider or your home (if you chose virtual care) within 10-14 business days of payment. Your provider will call you to schedule your fitting appointment. If you don't hear from them, call to schedule your fitting appointment.
If you placed an order online, visit the check order status page and enter in your order confirmation number.
An online hearing test or screening can tell you how well you’re hearing and if you should schedule an in-person hearing test with a hearing provider. An online screening requires you to wear headphones and listen to a variety of different tones and frequencies. This screening can help determine if a more thorough in-person examination with a professional is needed.
A comprehensive hearing test is conducted by an audiologist or hearing care professional in person to fully assess your hearing. The test can include looking in your ear for wax or abnormalities, listening to beeps and tones, repeating words in silence and in noise and possibly even trying hearing aids. After the test, the provider will determine if hearing loss exists, the extent of the loss and your treatment options. Many people wait until they have symptoms of hearing loss to schedule a hearing test. Studies have shown early identification and treatment of hearing loss report overall increased sense of wellness.If you have a smartphone and have completed a hearing test within the last 6 months, upload a copy of your test (audiogram) now to see if you're a candidate for virtual care. A hearing expert will get you the information you need so you can start hearing your best.
With over 7,000 providers and convenient virtual care options, we have licensed hearing providers near you. To schedule an appointment, sign-in or create an account to search for network providers and choose a provider of your choice.
Or call us at 1-877-488-5575, TTY 711 Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST for assistance. Our Customer Care team will confirm your benefits and match you with a local provider. We'll let that provider know you're coming and keep you informed about the process.
No. AARP Hearing Solutions provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing is open to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan to access the program discounts and perks.
To access available discounts and savings on hearing care and hearing aids offered through the AARP® Hearing Solutions program, you must have an active AARP membership. Enter your AARP membership number when you sign-in or create an account to see program details and receive savings at checkout.
It’s important you begin your hearing journey by calling UnitedHealthcare Hearing. The UnitedHealthcare Hearing team can help you find a provider and coordinate your care. Or sign in now to view providers and request an appointment.
There is a phenomenon called the “occlusion effect,” which is the change you hear in your voice when your ears are plugged. When your ears are plugged with wax, ear plugs or even properly functioning hearing aids, our voices sound louder and “booming.” People may notice it when they begin to wear hearing aids, change to new ones or make the transition from one to two hearing aids.
Most people with hearing loss lose their ability to hear high-pitched sounds slowly and gradually. When fit with hearing aids, those high-pitched sounds are restored. While these sounds will now enhance speech understanding, it is not unusual to perceive these sounds as sharp, or sometimes even shrill. With continued use of the hearing aids, the brain begins to adjust to the high-pitched sounds. You gradually begin to hear more clearly and feel more comfortable. In the meantime, turn the volume down as you adjust to hearing those sounds again.
If you are new to hearing aids, you will be sensitive to sounds you haven’t heard or haven’t heard as well for some time. Continue to wear your hearing aids as much as possible to acclimate. Even people with normal hearing have a hard time hearing when there is background noise! Try reducing the distracting noise and get closer to the sound source or person speaking. Make sure you face the person speaking. Another option is to consider going to restaurants at less noisy times. If you find yourself in these environments regularly, consider asking your hearing provider about accessories for noise, such as companion microphones. Or visit the shopping page to browse and purchase compatible accessories.
Sometimes a custom device that sits in your ear will need to be re-molded or modified. Sometimes your ear is simply adjusting to its new hardware. If you are having discomfort, reach out to your UnitedHealthcare Hearing provider either through UnitedHealthcare Hearing or directly to determine if an in-person follow-up, or virtual visit is required.
Ringing, buzzing, whistling or squealing from the hearing aids can happen if a hearing aid is not properly inserted in the ear, if the hearing aid is turned up too high or if there is something blocking the sound from reaching the eardrum like wax. Start by reinserting the hearing aid and trying to adjust the volume. If that does not resolve the feedback, follow up with your UnitedHealthcare Hearing provider to check for wax or issues with fit.
Virtual care is currently offered anywhere in the U.S., except Washington D.C. Virtual care is not currently offered internationally. If you need to see a provider in-person for a hearing test, they may be able to offer virtual care follow-up. Be sure to ask when you call to schedule your hearing test.
If you are looking to receive care from home or on the go, virtual care may be a convenient option. To get started with virtual care, upload a copy of your hearing test results or call UnitedHealthcare Hearing at 1-877-488-5575, TTY 711 Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST. Your hearing test results will be reviewed to make sure virtual care will work for you.
If you’re a good candidate for virtual care, you’ll need a smartphone and Bluetooth enabled device to get started.
After completing an in-person comprehensive hearing test, you’ll have the opportunity to review your results, discuss your lifestyle and hearing needs, and get a personalized recommendation at a virtual consultation appointment. The experts at UnitedHealthcare Hearing will help you place your order. Your hearing aid(s) will be shipped to home within 10-14 business days of payment. Your UnitedHealthcare Hearing provider will call you to schedule a fitting appointment where they will guide you through all the basics of getting started, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. If you don’t hear from them, call UnitedHealthcare Hearing to schedule your fitting appointment.
Yes, an appointment is needed to review results and receive care with a licensed UnitedHealthcare Hearing professional.
The virtual care program offers a variety of rechargeable behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) style hearing aids.
Virtual care follows the more traditional way of receiving prescriptive hearing aids and includes the support and recommendation of a licensed UnitedHealthcare Hearing professional. You will be required to complete an in-person hearing test with a licensed UnitedHealthcare Hearing care professional before meeting virtually with a virtual care provider to discuss your options. Your virtual care provider will offer follow-up care, adjustments and remote support from the comfort of your home.
Unlike virtual care, the purchase of an over-the-counter hearing aid does not include the professional guidance and follow-up care of a licensed UnitedHealthcare Hearing care professional. You can purchase directly from a website without a hearing test or clinical recommendation. Over-the-counter products are self-fitting. This means you will need to download an app to make any adjustments yourself. Any support varies by manufacturer.
When you create an online account at AARPHearingSolutions.com you will gain access to a personalized view of your program services. You will also be able to search for providers in your area, shop hearing aid devices and accessories, view eligible savings and device pricing and even submit a request for an appointment.
Your basic demographic information, preferred contact details, and active insurance plan information (if applicable) will be needed to register.
UnitedHealthcare Hearing will verify your identity by sending you an email to the email address you provided when creating your account. Click on the link in the email to verify your identity.
In order to provide the highest level of privacy, UnitedHealthcare Hearing must take measures to ensure your health and personal information is protected. Performing this identity verification is a secure and reliable method for ensuring your information is protected.
Yes. You can start your hearing journey by calling us. We will ask you for basic demographic information, preferred contact details and active insurance plan information, if applicable. All calls are recorded for quality purposes and all information is processed through our secure website which is encrypted for your protection.
Over-the-counter (OTC) devices are hearing devices that do not require a hearing test or provider visit. A consumer can purchase an OTC hearing device independently through a retailer and adjust the OTC device through an app on a smartphone.
It’s important to know that if you have a health plan benefit, it may not cover the cost of an over-the-counter (OTC) device at this time. However, through the AARP® Hearing Solutions program provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you are eligible for a comprehensive hearing test and professional care. You may also be eligible for exclusive savings on OTC devices. OTC devices will come in a variety of styles and features, as well as a variety of price points.
Over-the-counter (OTC) devices are best for mild to moderate hearing loss, and for those individuals who are comfortable navigating hearing aid set-up and configuration through an app on your smartphone. OTC devices may not be for everyone. We recommend you get a professional test and see if a prescription device is right for you. Getting this test will make sure you find a hearing solution for your degree of hearing loss.
No, a hearing test is not required. However, a hearing test may inform you as to whether an over-the-counter device is a good option.
At this time, the use of an HSA/FSA or HRA account to purchase hearing aids is not restricted.
Over-the-counter hearing devices are designed to help people with self-diagnosed hearing loss. Headphones are designed to listen to media sources and amplify all sounds equally.
The Jabra Enhance plus app will guide you to pair your earbuds with an iOS device, get the optimal fit, personalize your hearing profile, register the product and give access to support tools. Click Support and guides from the menu within the app for answers to common questions, troubleshooting your device, compatibility and more.
If you aren’t satisfied with your purchase or think your over-the-counter hearing device isn't working properly, visit the website or call the manufacturer of your device and they will help you resolve the issue.
If you are interested in working with a licensed UnitedHealthcare Hearing professional to obtain prescription hearing aids, call UnitedHealthcare Hearing at 1-877-488-5575, TTY 711 Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST. The UnitedHealthcare Hearing team will help get you connected with a provider to complete a comprehensive hearing test and a personalized recommendation.
A hearing test is not required to purchase an OTC hearing device. But if you haven’t had hearing aids before, meeting with a professional to diagnose and manage your hearing loss is a great first step towards better hearing. Knowing how much hearing loss you have is a good indicator of whether an OTC device could be an effective treatment plan and leave you satisfied with your result. To determine if you may have hearing loss, start by taking the UnitedHealthcare Hearing online hearing test.
- OTC hearing devices have fewer features and their performance may not be equivalent to similar prescription devices.
- OTC devices are self-serve, meaning you will set them up via a smartphone app and make all the adjustments on your own. Professional follow-up care or support depends on the individual manufacturer.
- OTC hearing aids have a shorter warranty period than traditional prescription devices.
If you have any additional questions or need assistance please contact us. We are happy to help.
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