Given the wide variety of hearing aids available on the market, it is not always easy to know where to start. RIC, in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, the ‘100 % Santé’ range or Class II: each solution meets different needs. At Audition Bahuaud, whichever range you choose, you’ll benefit from recognised premium brands (including Oticon, amongst others). We’ll help you choose the range of hearing aids best suited to your hearing loss, your budget and your lifestyle.
Understanding the different types of hearing aids
Hearing aids are divided into two main regulated categories: Class I, known as ‘100 % Santé’, and Class II, which comprises more technologically advanced ranges.
The 100 % Santé range (Class I)
Our approved centres offer Class I hearing aids that are fully covered: Social Security pays its share and your private health insurance automatically covers the balance, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket. Thanks to the ‘100% Santé’ reform, you can access the latest technologies – including active noise reduction, automatic adaptation to the surrounding sound environment and Bluetooth connectivity – without paying a penny.
Class II ranges: comfort and advanced technologies
Class II ranges offer a wider choice of high-end features: long battery life, wireless charging and smart sensors. Their price can exceed €950, and the amount reimbursed depends on the level of cover provided by your private health insurance. They are aimed at people looking for more features or greater comfort in their daily lives.
RIC, in-the-ear or behind-the-ear: which style should you choose?
Beyond the type, the design of the hearing aid is just as important. The RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) model, which is now the most common, positions the body behind the ear and the receiver in the ear canal, offering a good balance between discretion and performance. The custom-moulded in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid offers maximum discretion and is suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. The behind-the-ear (BTE) model, which is more robust, is suitable for a wider range of hearing losses, from moderate to severe and even profound. Your hearing care professional will explain these options to you during your hearing assessment, taking your medical history into account.
The factors that cause variations in the ranges
Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeability, discretion and level of support: these are all criteria that distinguish the different ranges from one another. Prices vary depending on the range chosen, the features and the technology incorporated. The best range isn’t necessarily the most expensive: it’s the one that best suits your degree of hearing loss, the shape of your ear canal and your lifestyle.
Your hearing aid specialist’s advice is essential for making the right choice
No single range of hearing aids is suitable for everyone. That is why our hearing care professionals always carry out a personalised hearing assessment before recommending the most suitable solution for you. Book an appointment at one of our 17 Audition Bahuaud centres in Occitanie for a free hearing test and find out, with complete transparency, which range of hearing aids truly meets your needs and fits your budget.
Our competitive advantage
Unlike Audika, a subsidiary of the Danish Demant Group (which also owns the Oticon brand), which promotes its own Blink and Blink Air hearing aids produced by the same parent company, or Amplifon, which bases part of its range on its own Ampli-Mini and Ampli-Power ranges, Audition Bahuaud remains a 100 per cent independent network. Our hearing care professionals select your hearing aid from among all the major brands on the market, based on your hearing and your lifestyle — a freedom of technical choice that does not imply a price difference compared with other networks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the difference between Class I and Class II hearing aids?
A. Class I devices are covered under the 100 % Santé scheme: subject to a cap and fully reimbursable, with no out-of-pocket costs. Class II models offer more features, with prices that may exceed €950 and reimbursement levels that depend on your supplementary health insurance provider.
Q. Do you need a prescription to get a hearing aid?
A. Yes, a prescription from an ENT specialist is required for the cost of the hearing aid to be covered by the National Health Service. Our centres can refer you to a specialist if necessary, and help you get an appointment more quickly.
Q. What is the 100 % Santé scheme?
A. Thanks to the ‘100 % Santé’ reform, Class I medical devices are covered in full: Social Security pays its share and your supplementary health insurance automatically covers the balance, with no out-of-pocket costs.
Q. Are the hearing aids on offer Bluetooth-compatible?
A. Some models, notably RIC, offer smartphone-compatible Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to enjoy your calls, music and videos directly through your hearing aids.
Q. Does the National Insurance scheme reimburse the cost of a hearing aid every year?
A. No, Social Security reimbursement is provided once every four years per fitted ear, unless there are justified medical grounds for more frequent reimbursement.
