Dr. Juan Carlos Olmo
Doctor Tinnitus
Audiologist, Hearing Test and Hearing Aids
Tel: (506) 22905239
WhatsApp: (506) 87230197
info@clinicasdeaudicion.com

What is an audiologist?

 

An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hearing and communication problems. Audiologists work with people of all ages, from infants to older adults, and can help people with hearing problems hear better and communicate more effectively.

Audiologists perform hearing tests and use advanced techniques and technologies to evaluate hearing and balance. They can also recommend and fit hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, and provide sound and communication therapy to improve people's ability to hear and communicate.

Audiologists work in hospitals, clinics, hearing health centers, and other healthcare settings. They may also work in schools and nursing homes and can collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and speech therapists, to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

 

How much does a hearing aid cost in Costa Rica?

 

In Costa Rica, you can get a hearing aid in two ways: either the patient buys it directly from a hearing clinic or they apply for financial assistance from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social - CCSS). The latter requires a specific process to receive economic aid.

 

Legal Framework

 

Regarding current legislation for the protection of people with hearing disabilities, there are several documents available for consultation and download, such as:

1. Law 7600. Law for the Equality of People with Disabilities.

2. Law 7935. Comprehensive Law for Older Adults and its regulations.

3. The CCSS’s Prosthetics and Accessories Instruction Manual and the Financial Benefits for Treatment Abroad Instruction Manual.

4. The Health Regulation.

 

List of Financial Aid Provided by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund

 

(This list has not been modified since the first half of 2021)

• Behind-the-ear: 237,210.40 colones

• Intra-aural: 272,885.02 colones

• In-the-canal: 294,036.75 colones

Unfortunately, in Costa Rica, the CCSS bases its classification of hearing aids on their aesthetic appearance rather than technical characteristics or technological advantages that would be of greater benefit to the users. The ideal approach would be to maintain a single amount of aid per hearing aid, allowing the insured person to decide on the aesthetic aspect.

 

The Procedure to Obtain Financial Aid and a Prescription for Hearing Aids from the CCSS

 

1. The patient first goes to an appointment at the corresponding EBAIS or social security clinic, where a general practitioner evaluates them and refers them to an otolaryngology specialist at the corresponding medical center.

2. The otolaryngology specialist evaluates the case and refers the patient to the Audiology Service, where all pertinent hearing tests are performed. Once this is done, the patient is referred back to the Otolaryngology Service.

3. The otolaryngology specialist prescribes the hearing aid, the service head recommends the prescription, and the medical director authorizes the financial disbursement up to the maximum amount according to the current price list and the available budget at the care center.

4. The patient is neutrally instructed by the health center staff and given a list of provider companies they can call to find out where it is most advantageous to get their hearing aids. It is completely illegal for a social security official to receive aid or gifts from provider companies to partially guide patients towards one hearing aid company or another.

5. The patient presents the prescription to the provider company. If there is a difference between the price and the authorized amount, the patient covers the excess.

6. The company freely chosen by the patient manufactures and delivers the device to the care center, where it will be received by the competent staff who will authorize the payment of the invoice.

7. The company will present the authorized prescription, the commercial invoice, and the CCSS invoice to the treasury to process the payment.

8. The patient must appear in person on the assigned appointment day at the ENT service to pick up their hearing aids. They will sign the record confirming receipt and go to the chosen provider company for fitting and follow-up adjustments. For no reason is it recommended that the patient or CCSS staff manipulate, adjust, or program a hearing aid, as if unauthorized personnel provide service to the device, it will automatically lose its warranty.

One thing to note is that some CCSS hospitals and clinics have promoted the purchase of hearing aids through a bidding process. In this case, the patient does not have the freedom to choose the commercial provider and must go to the company that won the public bid promoted by the institution.

 

What should I do if I suffer from ringing in my ears (tinnitus)?

 

Tinnitus refers to the perception of sounds in the ears or head in the absence of an external sound source. If you experience ringing in your ears, it is important to seek care from an audiologist with experience in tinnitus management to evaluate the underlying cause and determine the best course of treatment.

First, the audiologist will perform a complete hearing evaluation to determine if hearing loss or exposure to loud sounds may be contributing to the tinnitus. If hearing loss is identified, the use of hearing aids can be beneficial in reducing tinnitus symptoms.

Additionally, there are sound therapy techniques that can be effective in reducing the perception of tinnitus. These techniques may include the use of sound generators or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with tinnitus.

It is important to note that, in some cases, tinnitus can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as an ear infection, a head injury, or a neurological disorder. If an underlying condition is suspected, additional tests and medical treatment may be required to address the underlying cause.

In summary, if you experience ringing in your ears, it is important to seek care from an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for a complete evaluation and to determine the best course of treatment for your symptoms.