Question 1

What does health insurance pay?

Accepted Answer

With statutory health insurance, your insurer pays a fixed allowance per ear (the Festbetrag). It is a subsidy, not the full price: it covers a basic fitting including adjustment and aftercare. If you want more technology, you pay the difference as your own share. We bill your insurer directly and go through your own share with you beforehand.

Question 2

Are there hearing aids with no co-payment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only a few basic devices. For these, your insurer's allowance is enough and you pay no share of your own. You only pay the statutory co-payment of €10 per device, and even that is waived if you are exempt from co-payments. Most devices come with a share of your own, depending on the performance class. At the free hearing test we will tell you honestly whether a device without a share of your own is enough for your everyday life.

Question 3

Subscription or purchase: what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

It is your choice. With a subscription you pay a fixed monthly amount that includes maintenance, repairs, batteries or charger, and loss protection. With a purchase you pay once, and fitting, aftercare and the manufacturer's warranty are included. Your insurer's allowance counts towards both.

Question 4

I have private health insurance. How does it work?

Accepted Answer

We prepare a transparent cost estimate for you to submit to your insurer. How much is reimbursed depends on your plan. We are happy to advise you on any reimbursement question in person at the branch.

Question 5

Do I need hearing aid insurance?

Accepted Answer

It is not compulsory. It is worth it if you paid a high contribution and wear the device out and about a lot. It pays for loss, theft and accidental damage, but not for wear and tear. In our subscription, loss cover is already included.

Question 6

What happens if I lose my hearing aid?

Accepted Answer

Contact us and we will go through the next steps with you. The health insurer assumes a service life of six years for adults. A new device before then needs a special justification, and the insurer decides each case individually. It does not refund your contribution. Only insurance or the loss cover in the subscription protects that.

Question 7

How long does a hearing aid last?

Accepted Answer

The health insurer assumes six years for adults and five for children and young people. After that you are entitled to a new fitting again, or earlier if your hearing gets worse.

Question 8

Is the hearing test really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The hearing test, consultation, and trial period are always free and without obligation, even if you decide not to get a hearing aid.

Question 9

How does the hearing test work?

Accepted Answer

Allow about 15 minutes. First we look at your ear canal with a video otoscope, then we measure how quiet a tone you can still hear and check how well you understand speech. We explain the result straight away in plain language. If you would like a first impression beforehand, take our five-minute online hearing test.

Question 10

Do I need a prescription from an ENT doctor?

Accepted Answer

For your insurer's allowance, yes: you need a medical prescription, usually from your ear, nose and throat specialist. You can take the hearing test with us at any time without one, so you already know how well you hear before your doctor's appointment.

Question 11

Can I try hearing aids before committing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You test the device of your choice for several weeks in everyday life, at home, at work or in a restaurant, before you decide. The trial is free and without obligation.

Question 12

How reliable is an online hearing test?

Accepted Answer

It shows whether a hearing loss is likely, nothing more. Your headphones are not calibrated, so it does not measure decibel values and makes no diagnosis. If the result is abnormal, you should have it measured at a branch or by an ENT doctor.

Question 13

How often should I have my hearing tested?

Accepted Answer

Straight away if you notice something. With no particular reason, the WHO advises a hearing test every five years from age 50 and every one to three years from age 65 (2021). We recommend one test a year, and with us it is free.

Question 14

Can people see modern hearing aids?

Accepted Answer

Often barely. In-the-ear devices sit inside the ear canal, and slim behind-the-ear devices are hard to spot. Which style suits you depends on your hearing loss and your ear canal. We will show you the most discreet options.

Question 15

Do hearing aids work with a smartphone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in all five performance classes from Basis+ to First Class. The devices connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth: you make calls and listen to music directly through your hearing aids and control them with an app. For the TV there are matching accessories. The basic devices without a share of your own do not always have Bluetooth.

Question 16

Which hearing aid is the best?

Accepted Answer

There is no single best hearing aid. Which one suits you depends on your hearing loss, your ear canal and your daily life. Someone who is often in company needs a different class from someone who mainly watches television. That is why you wear two devices on trial with us and compare them yourself.

Question 17

What is a custom earmould?

Accepted Answer

An ear piece made from an impression of your ear canal. As hearing protection it sits tight without pressing and lasts several years. Depending on use, it gets a filter, for work, music or hunting. For sleeping and swimming it needs none.

Question 18

Which ear protection is suitable for swimming?

Accepted Answer

One that closes the ear canal tightly. A custom earmould made of soft silicone sits most securely and floats on top. Whether children with grommets need protection is decided by the ENT practice. The US guideline of the AAO-HNSF (2022) advises against routine protection when bathing in chlorinated water.

Question 19

Which earplugs are good for sleeping?

Accepted Answer

Soft, flat ones that do not press even when you lie on your side. Foam from the drugstore helps, but often slips out. A custom earmould made from an impression sits the same way every night. You will still hear your alarm clock.

Question 20

From what level is hearing protection compulsory at work?

Accepted Answer

From 80 dB(A) as a daily average, the employer must provide hearing protection, and from 85 dB(A) the employer must make sure that you wear it. This is set out in § 6 and § 8 of the Lärm- und Vibrations-Arbeitsschutzverordnung (German noise and vibration occupational safety ordinance). In such cases the employer often pays for custom hearing protection, and we issue the certificate.

Question 21

What does cleaning my hearing aids cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing, for our customers. We recommend professional cleaning and a function check every three to six months, and both are free with us. Just drop in at one of our five branches.

Question 22

Do you also look after hearing aids I bought elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every hearing aid wearer is welcome. Devices that were set up elsewhere often still have untapped potential for better hearing. We check your devices and readjust them for you.

Frequently asked questions

Costs & health insurance

Hearing test & trial

Hearing aids & technology

Hearing protection & custom earmoulds

Service & aftercare

A question about advertising and reviews