Hearing Aids Online - Your Online hearing aid information center!

Can I really buy a hearing aid over the internet? (Back to Top)
Absolutely. Over the last 45 years we have served more than 300,000 satisfied customers in all 50 states by mail, and we have now extended our service over the internet. However, some manufacturers have recently initiated fitting guidelines requiring face to face fitting in order to purchase their particular products. We have identified these products on our website along with information on how we put you together with a local fitting practice for testing, fitting, programming and follow-up support.

These prices are so much lower than what I have been paying. Why the big difference? (Back to Top)
Simply- we cut out the big commissions and markups. We buy in large quantities from the top manufacturers and pass those savings directly on to you. These are the exact same hearing aids you'll find in upscale, local dealers' offices or audiology clinics.

How do you know what I need? Don't I need to be tested and fitted in person by someone? (Back to Top)
Not necessarily. While we do advise that you visit your doctor to confirm your hearing loss and check to see what can be done medically, our job is to provide you with an instrument that best matches your hearing needs. Provide us with as much information as possible through the hearing loss questionnaire and a copy of your audiogram (we now offer a free on-line hearing test that is very quick, simple, and accurate), and we will work with you from there.

If I purchase a hearing aid from you, how do I get a mold made? By whom, and how are computer adjustments made to my digital aid? Do you have local affiliates whom I can see for adjustments and or service? (Back to Top)
Hello Edythe,

Thanks for your email. Regarding your question, first, we have been dispensing hearing aids for the past 40 years primarily through the mail.........directly to the user. This is definitely a viable method of fitting a person. I know the common thinking is that you have to go to an ear doctor (and actually we do recommend that a person see an ear doctor to be sure the problem is not earwax or some other medical condition). However, you should be aware that many ENT''s have audiologists either on staff or that they work with who are standing by to sell the patient a hearing aid. No announcement is made about the fact that seeing the ENT is a Dr./patient session. When a person gets fitted for a hearing aid, the client is now becomes a consumer of an electronic device and has many choices other than just the doctor''s office to obtain hearing instruments.

The instruments we dispense are name brand aids made by mfgrs like Siemens, Starkey, ReSound, Oticon, Rexton, Electone, Widex, Phonak, etc.

Here at Lloyd's, we provide custom hearing aids ranging from the full shell down to the tiniest CIC aid. We need two things to accomplish this. First, we need as complete information as possible on your hearing loss. For the more high-tech digital hearing aids, that entails getting a copy of an audiogram (hearing test). This can be obtained locally fairly easily. Many of our customers submit these to us for recommendations and for fitting, building and programming purposes. Our free on-line hearing test is an excellent way to have your hearing measured. It''s very accurate and extremely convenient. If you''d rather have your hearing tested in person by someone, please call in and we''ll be glad to suggest some ways of proceeding where you wouldn't get roped into buying some other very expensive hearing aid at a local clinic or office. The more information you can give us about your hearing loss will help us in providing you with the best solutions possible. The methods we've developed over the past 40 years have been used to fit hundreds of thousands of hearing aids very successfully.

Secondly, we need impressions of your ears. We would send out, at no charge, all necessary materials for you to do this right in your home. It is a very safe and simple procedure. Our customers have done this over the past 40 years without any problems whatsoever. I''m sure you could do this as well. We send enough material for you to take two impressions of each ear, so you can practice with the first try and see how it all works. But with these two ingredients, that''s what it takes to make a custom aid.

Proceeding by mail is a very proven and viable method of getting a hearing aid, and it will save you even more. But the bottom line is that when you get the aid, you''ll have a 30 day trial (or more if needed) to be sure you like everything about the aid....its fit, and its benefit for your hearing problems. If you like it, you can keep it. If not, you can certainly return it, no questions asked.

All of the above refers to custom in-the-ear type of aids. With behind-the-ear aids, it is even simpler. We still like to work from an audiogram, but the impression step is not necessary. We have a selection of earpieces that can be used in conjunction with the BTE aid, so everything you''ll need in order to wear the aid right out of the box comes with it (same principle is true with any stock canal aid we carry). We aim to make it easy for you, yet provide an appropriate instrument that will truly help your problem.

You also asked about the programming of the hearing aids. We do a ton of digital programmable instruments, and are very adept at this function. The numbers run about like this: roughly 75% of the customers for whom we provide programmable aids find that the aids are programmed right on target the very first time out. So, about 25% of our programmable aid customers might need some tweaking (reprogramming) once they''ve had a chance to wear the aid around awhile. They then communicate to us what they''d like to have changed with their aid(s). Based upon that, the customer sends it in and we do a reprogram of the aid. Usually it''s just a little bit of fine tuning. And about 9 out of 10 then find that just that one reprogramming effort does the job. There are very few who need more than one trip back for this. So the numbers are very good in your favor that we would be able to get the aid programmed in an excellent manner with a minimum of "hassle."

But, since we do sell brand name aids, sometimes our customers do elect to go to a local office to have their aid reprogrammed. There''s nothing wrong with that method either. You might have to pay a local person $50 or so to do it, but you''ll still be many hundreds, if not thousands of dollars ahead by purchasing through Lloyds. We could help you find an office to work with if you don''t have a cooperative local hearing aid provider.

I hope this has been of some help in answering your questions. You can give us a call @ 1-800-323-4212 and talk to one of our dispensers to review things as well. We do have a catalog showing all the different models and circuitry of instruments we sell. Many questions can be covered in a conversation and perhaps you will get a better idea of who we are and how this can all be accomplished. I can promise you we will do everything possible to help you hear better again. We certainly appreciate your email and interest in Lloyd's. I hope we'll have a chance to help with your hearing needs.

Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYD HEARING AID CORP.
www.lloydhearingaid.com

In order to manufacture a hearing aid, a mold of the ear and canal is required. How is this accomplished when ordering on-line? (Back to Top)
Hello Louis,
You pose a good question....one that gets asked a lot by folks unacquainted with our procedures. A casting, or impression, is definately required in order to produce any custom in-the-ear type of hearing aid. If you were to order, the first step is that we would send out to you, at no charge, all necessary materials for you to do an impression of your ear right at home. It is a VERY safe and simple procedure. Tens of thousands of our customers have done this over the past 40 years without any problems. I'm sure you can do this as well. We send enough material for you to take two impressions of each ear, so you can practice with the first try and see how it all works.

We would also like to see a copy of your audiogram (hearing test). This is helpful in determining the strength and frequency response that gets built into a custom made hearing aid. If you were to purchase one of the more advanced computer programmable type of instruments, the audiogram is also an important element in the programming of an aid. If you don't have a copy of your audiogram, you can go online to our website to do a free hearing test that is very accurate.

Proceeding by mail is a very proven and viable method of obtaining a hearing aid, and it will save you hundreds, probably thousands of dollars. But the bottom line is that when you get an aid from Lloyds, you will have a 30 day trial (or more if needed) so you can be sure you like everything about the aid....its fit, and its benefit for you. If you like it, you'll buy it. If not, you can certainly return it, no questions asked.

I hope this has been of some help in answering your question. You can give us a call @ 1-800-323-4212 and talk to one of our dispensers to review things as well. Many questions can be covered in a conversation and perhaps you will get a better idea of who we are and how this can all be accomplished. I can promise you we will do everything possible to help you hear better. We certainly appreciate your email and interest in Lloyds. I hope we'll have a chance to help with your hearing needs.

Sincerely,
Customer Service, LLOYDS
1-800-323-4212
www.lloydhearingaid.com

Do you have a payment plan? (Back to Top)
Hello Darshee,
Due to the nature of the internet, online orders must be paid by credit card before we can ship merchandise. However, if needed, we do offer a payment plan. For any sort of payment plan on web orders, you will have to contact us during regular business hours for approval. We are open Mon.- Fri. from 8 - 4:30 central time. We do have a variety of payment options to fit most any budget. It is our philosophy that, at the prices we offer, practically everyone should be able to afford a decent level of quality hearing help. With Lloyds affordable pricing, money should not be your reason for not getting hearing help. Thank you very much for the email.
Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYDS

Can I pay with a credit card? (Back to Top)
Certainly you can pay with a credit card.....a high percent of customer utilize this convenience. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. We recommend a customer use either Visa or Mastercard due to the fact in the event of any possible refund, using these cards you would receive 100% of your credit card charge back. On American Express and Discover charges we retain 5% of the refund amount. This is because those cards withhold a substantial fee to the merchant in the usage of their card, regardless of whether a customer winds up keeping the merchandise or not. This is the policy of those credit card companies, therefore we simply pass that on. You should know this before you decide which credit card to use.

When purchasing a pair of hearing aids is the programming included in the price? (Back to Top)
Any hearing aid purchased from Lloyd's is programmed and set to a customer's audiogram. If you do not have an audiogram, you can take our online hearing test for free, as many times as you wish, in the comfort and privacy of your own home. We handle everything and send all items a customer needs in order to wear their hearing aid(s) the minute they are delivered. Should your hearing change over time or you desire some further fine-tuning, Lloyd's will reprogram the instrument at no charge over the lifetime of the aid.

Are your hearing aid prices for the pair or for one only? (Back to Top)
Our pricing is always listed as the price of one single hearing aid. We try to keep the single unit cost down to the bare minimum possible. We do not want to penalize a person who is only electing to purchase one hearing aid. If we had a lower price per aid on binaural sales (that's a person buying two) that would be an indication that we would be overcharging a person buying only one and we don't want to do that.

How do you know what I need? Don't I need to be tested and fitted in person by someone? (Back to Top)
Not necessarily. While we do advise that you visit your doctor to confirm your hearing loss and check
to see what can be done medically, our job is to provide you with an
instrument that best matches your hearing needs. Provide us with as
much information as possible through the hearing loss questionnaire and a
copy of your audiogram (if possible), and we will work with you from there.

Can you use an existing hearing aid in place of a mold if it has a good fit? (Back to Top)
Most times you can. But you have to remember that the new mold can only be cast off whatever existing aid you send in, so it obviously cannot be made any larger than whatever you submit. If you have a small aid, the custom earmold would have to be cast as a small canal mold. However, in most cases this works just fine.

I have severe hearing loss. Are you aids programmable and how does that happen when buying on the Internet? (Back to Top)
Hello Peter,

Regarding your question, we dispense both programmable and non-programmable hearing instruments. And we have a very good selection of aids for people with a severe degree of hearing loss. Any computer programmable aid we sell comes set to the customer's hearing loss. We would certainly want to see a copy of a hearing test for you as the order comes in. That will help us confirm that the aid you're interested in is appropriate......it also becomes the basis for how the aid gets programmed - according to that hearing loss information. If you don't have a copy of a recent hearing test we offer a free on-line hearing test through our website. The online test is easy to do and is quite accurate.

We dispense a ton of programmable instruments, and, quite honestly, are very good at it. We sell many more programmable instruments than the average dealer or audiologist and, as a result, have a depth of practical experience. But I do want to reassure you that, if necessary, we are willing to reprogram any aid during the entire lifetime of the instrument - there's never any charge for us to do that. The numbers run about like this: roughly 75% of the customers for whom we provide programmable aids find their aids set right on target the very first time out. So perhaps about 25% of customers might need some tweaking (reprogramming) once they've had a chance to wear the aid around awhile. We talk and they communicate to us what they'd like to have changed with their aid(s). Based upon that, the customer sends it in and we do a reprogram of the aid. Usually it's just a little bit of fine tuning. And about 9 out of 10 then find that just that the one reprogramming effort does the job. There are very few who need more than one trip back for this. So the numbers are very good in your favor that we would be able to get the aid programmed in an excellent manner with a minimum of "hassle."

But we do sell brand name aids, and sometimes (albeit rarely) our customers do elect to go to a local office to have their aid reprogrammed. There's nothing wrong with that method either. You might have to pay a local person $50 or so to do it, but you'll still be many hundreds, if not thousands of dollars ahead by purchasing through Lloyd's.

Thanks much for the email. You posed a good question. Call us if you have further questions (1-800-323-4212). We're here to help.

Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYD HEARING AID CORP.
www.lloydhearingaid.com

Do you have a finance plan or does every transaction have to be in cash or check? (Back to Top)
We do offer a financing plan. The details of that are all spelled out in our free catalog. It's basically 1/3 down, then a choice of payment options of either 3 months, 4 months, or 8 months. A person should fill out our credit app in the catalog. If you need more time to pay than even the 8 months, it can be discussed with our bookeeping dep't. and a special program set up. We have always operated with the philosophy that we can make good hearing affordable and available to EVERYONE. Money should not be the obstacle in purchasing a hearing aid. We will try to work out a plan that will fit into any person's monthly budget.

Is there a money back arrangement with new purchase? (Back to Top)
Yes, absolutely! We straight-up mean it in our offer of a 45 day trial of any hearing aid we sell. The quick low-down.....for any stock (premade) instrument, you get 100% money back (except for $10 or so for the shipping). If we dispense any custom hearing aid (one that's made just for one person's ear), we keep $50 as non-refundable per aid........that's a small offset against the amount of time and expense that goes into producing a custom hearing instrument. We truly do mean it when we say that we don't want anybody feeling stuck with an instrument they don't like or are unsatisfied with. Better to return it to us and either try something different, or else we can shake hands and part friends. No problem.

Do you accept Medicare? (Back to Top)
Sorry, Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. The only thing Medicare will pay for (sometimes) is an audiological assessment (hearing test, etc.). This can be helpful when a person needs to send us a copy of their hearing chart. Remember, if you or your insurance company or Medicare ever pays a person to do a hearing test for you, you are entitled to receive a copy of that report. They have done contract work for you and must give you the results upon request.

As of now i have Kaiser insurance for my hearing aids. Have you folks ever had any dealings with them? My problem is---they handle ONLY digital type hearing aids. That is what I have now and I will not buy another pair. I have been trying to get an answer from them if they will pay for a outside venter to furnish me with a pair and have them pay for them. What is your take on this, and any suggestions? (Back to Top)
Thanks for the email. Yes, we have worked with Kaiser in the past and they have honored purchases by customers using Lloyd's. There has never been a problem in their paying for analog aids dispensed by us.......what you might be running into is that all the preferred providers in their network might only be carrying digital aids now. All the major mfgrs have been making this transition into producing only digital aids, so most of the products now being made are digitals. We still work with some of the mfgrs who provide analog aids, but that window is closing pretty quickly as well. We're going to try to continue carrying analog as long as they are still available. But most local dispensing facilities have abandoned these by now, thus the problem you are experiencing. I would continue to try contacting Kaiser to confirm things about their paying for a set (shouldn't matter to them what kind you order) of aids from us. We are fully licensed and certified, and most insurance companies love working with us due to our deeply discounted pricing on hearing aids - less $ they have to pay out for the product and service, right? Thanks for the email and for your interest in Lloyd's. I hope we'll have a chance to serve your needs.

I have two hearing aids. The left one never fit right so I don't wear it and the right one fits so well that I do not want to give it up, but 14 years later...I think it has had it. How do I get that same fit and how can I get a new mold for the left ear? I also have a hearing screen form that was filled out by an audiologist. How can I go about ordering these aids? Thank you. Stacey W. (Back to Top)
Hello Stacey,

It sounds like we can use two different methods to get you squared away. First, for the right aid that fits you so well, you can send that in to us and we would send it over to the factory to have them cast off of it. The new aid should be exactly the same size and shape as the old one you send in. Incidentally, your old aid will be returned to you in the same condition as it was received......the factory will not have to destroy it in order to have the new one made.

As to the other, poorly fitting aid, we would send you out an impression kit so you could take new impressions of your left ear right there at home. This has been done by tens of thousands of our customers over the years without any problems whatsoever. It is extremely safe and simple. We send out enough material so you (and your helper) can do two impressions of that left ear. This allows you to practice with the first one to see just how it goes together and how fast it sets up, etc. The only other thing we'd need from you is the audiogram (hearing test) and a filled out order form. Send all that back....it takes about a week to have a hearing aid made at the factory. We then set it for you and ship it out for your 45 day trial. If you like what you get, you buy it. If not, you can return it....no problem. We don't want anyone feeling like they are stuck with a hearing aid they're not happy with or that doesn't do a good job for them. I hope this helps answer your questions. Thanks for your interest in Lloyd's. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYDS

Please tell me how to order and pay for hearing aid batteries. (Back to Top)
To order from us, you can order safely & securely on our website simply by going to the battery section (there is a link to each size of battery directly on our homepage at www.lloydhearingaid.com), you can mail in an order form with your payment details (order forms are found in our catalog), or you can call us at 1-800-323-4212. We're here Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm central time. We accept credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, & American Express), money orders, personal checks, and cash payments. If you have any questions at all, feel free to give us a call. We would be happy to assist you with your battery order.

Do I have to provide a prescription? (Back to Top)
There is no such thing as a true "prescription" in hearing aids. There's little doubt that there will be dozens of different hearing aid models that could do a wonderful job in correcting your hearing loss problem. What we do like to see is a copy of a person's audiogram (hearing test) so we can determine the extent of your hearing loss and come up with appropriate recommendations and suggestions. The final choice of hearing aid will be up to you depending upon what size and style of hearing aid along with what level of technology you are interested in (which is the primary determinant of price). Many people start off with a budget they can afford for their hearing aids. We then get them the best instruments possible within their budget.

I have profound hearing loss, and looking at your website you have so many to choose from. I'm confused what to order. What I want is a BTE for less than $1000 dollars. Any suggestions ? Thanks. (Back to Top)
Thank you for the email. Regarding your question as to what hearing aid might do well for a profound hearing loss, and at a cost of under $1,000, I can suggest the following hearing aids:

1) The Oticon E380 has been a staple for this type of hearing losses for many years. It is an extremely powerful BTE aid....it is analog - it has been in production for probably about 20 years - nothing real fancy, but many, many people with profound hearing losses love this aid and find it is the best one that's able to provide them the volume/help they need. Our price is just $549.50.

2) Moving into a digital choice would be the Arena2HP aid ($795). This does have a computer chip inside the aid (which defines it as a digital product). However the user still has several trimpot setscrews that can be adjusted for fine tuning if you like (just like on the Oticon E-380 aid as well). This one also has the big power needed for profound hearing losses. Both use the #675 battery and have gain levels in the upper 70's, almost 80dB.

These are the two strongest aids we carry that are priced under $1,000. There are other selections of higher-tech digital aids as you probably saw on the website, but these higher-tech ones must be programmed by a computer - that does provide many other adjustments we can access through the computer - but the prices of all those begin to exceed the $1,000 figure. And truthfully, with a profound hearing loss, the thing you probably really need is simply volume, not so much all the niceties of a fancier, more expensive instrument. While the high-tech ones have many excellent features, many times these are not utilized by a person who is struggling just to hear something, anything.

I hope this helps answer your questions. Remember that we do offer a no-risk 45 day trial on any instrument we sell, so you can see for yourself how you like it before making a final decision to purchase. Thanks again for your interest in Lloyd's. I hope we'll have an opportunity to serve your hearing needs.

Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYD'S

Hi, I am in serious need of a new hearing aid. My current one is not even fitted to my ear and is held together by super glue at the moment. I have a full time job and could not afford to have it break on me. Unfortunately I also cannot afford a brand new hearing aid paid in full. Do you offer any types of payment plans for your hearing aid purchases? Thanks a lot. (Back to Top)
Thanks for the email. We do offer a payment plan for our customers. The terms are spelled out in our free catalog. Basically it is 1/3 down, then either 3 or 4 equal payments on the balance. If you need extended terms, we are willing to work with you on that. You would need to fill out our credit information and give us a call. We are certainly willing to work out a payment schedule with you that will fit your financial situation. Due to the nature of the internet, we do not have a payment plan listed on the website. If you order online it requires a credit card and payment in full at the time of ordering. I trust you understand the problems that can arise if we offered just a small down payment on hearing aids over the web.

We have worked with many people on limited incomes over the years and take pride in the fact that we've helped tens of thousands of people hear once again who otherwise would never have been able to afford hearing help by going to any of their local hearing aid dealers or clinics. I hope this answers you question. If you haven't already ordered up our free catalog, just hit reply and give us your address and we'll get one out to you right away. That is the method by which we can help you in this regard.

Sincerely,
Customer Service,
LLOYDS

Will Blue Cross / Blue Shield pay for aids purchased from you? They will not give me this information! (Back to Top)
Yes, we are a provider in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield system. A person can obtain a LOT more in terms of hearing aids and technology under their BC/BS benefit limit if purchased through Lloyd's compared to what that person would get at a local dispensing office or audiology clinic. If you have any specific questions about your BC/BS coverage, feel free to give us a call @ 1-800-323-4212 and speak with our department that deals with insurance eligibility and claims.

Rockford