Do we have the best hearing aids?
Most people who are in the process of getting hearing aids want to get the best hearing aids available on the market. Some are willing to pay more for their hearing aids, beyond what NAV covers, in order to achieve the best possible hearing. But can you actually pay for better hearing aids in Norway?
The answer is no. In Norway, we are fortunate to have premium hearing aids covered by the National Insurance Scheme through NAV. NAV’s framework agreement includes eight hearing aid manufacturers, and all of their hearing aids are premium models. This means that, with few exceptions, you cannot purchase or order better hearing aids from abroad than the hearing aid models available in Norway.
Private hearing clinics have access to the same hearing aids on the market that are covered by NAV.
In Europe and other parts of the world, where hearing aids are not covered by the National Insurance Scheme, there is a larger private market. This means that customers are more likely to choose hearing aids based on their budget. The premium model offers the most advanced technology and all available features, while the budget model is kinder to your wallet.
What is the difference between premium and budget models?
Premium hearing aids:
Advanced technology: Use advanced systems to analyse and process sound.
Directional technology: Have a more sophisticated system for prioritising sound from specific directions, which is useful in noisy environments. For example, premium hearing aids may have 20 different programs/sound processing options to choose from.
Listening environments: Provide better performance in situations with a lot of background noise, such as in restaurants.
Connectivity: Can often connect directly to a smartphone for streaming calls and music, and can also be controlled via a dedicated mobile app.
Cost: Premium hearing aids are provided free of charge through the NAV system, but can also be purchased privately from an audiologist for around NOK 12,500–15,000 per hearing aid. Consultations are additional. Premium hearing aids may be particularly suitable for people who frequently find themselves in challenging listening environments with a lot of background noise.
Budget hearing aids:
Basic technology: Have a simpler system for sound processing.
Features: Offer basic features to improve hearing, but with less advanced adaptation to different listening environments. For example, budget hearing aids may have 12 different programs/sound processing options to choose from.
Connectivity: Have fewer or no options for connecting to a smartphone.
Cost: Are not included in the NAV framework agreement, but are often a more cost-effective option if you are purchasing hearing aids privately. Budget hearing aids may be suitable for people who are mostly in simple listening environments with little background noise.
When you receive a hearing aid through NAV, you can be confident that you are getting a premium-class hearing aid. But why can some people still be dissatisfied with their hearing aids?
Even if you receive a hearing aid with the latest and fastest technology, you may still experience difficulties hearing satisfactorily or problems with operating the device. That is why it is important to have good communication with your audiologist when you are being fitted with hearing aids.
All ears and hearing losses are individual, and you will have your own unique listening experience with hearing aids. It is therefore important to have a thorough assessment to identify hearing aids that may be best suited to your hearing and lifestyle.
Read more about the assessment process in this article: https://www.audioplus.no/post/n%C3%A5r-du-skal-anskaffe-deg-h%C3%B8reapparater
Do you need to get hearing aids but don’t want to wait a long time in the public healthcare queue? At AudioPlus, we provide both hearing tests and assessments, where we tailor a hearing aid solution to your hearing and lifestyle.
To book an appointment: call 990 99 779 or contact us via https://www.audioplus.no/bestill-time
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