ISU Audiology Clinic, Meridian

Make an Appointment

Call (208) 373-1734 to schedule an audiology appointment.

Clinic Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Patient Referrals

The ISU Audiology Clinic accepts referrals via phone or fax:

• Phone: (208) 373-1734

• Fax: (833) 390-1293

Referrals are required for all Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Consent Forms

Consent forms are typically sent via DocuSign to your email for electronic signature.  If you are unable to sign electronically, paper copies are available for your convenience.  Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out your paperwork.  

Parking

ISU provides free parking for all clinic patients and clients.

• Designated clinic parking is outlined in yellow directly in front of the ISU Meridian Clinics entrance. Please use the entrance with the ramp and stairs in front of the building.

• The parking area is located on the southwest side of the building, facing I-84.

Billing & Insurance Information

Insurance
If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment.  Our clinic accepts and contracts with the following insurance plans:

• Aetna

• Amplifon Hearing

• Blue Cross of Idaho

• Cigna

• Medicare

• Medicaid

• Molina Health Care

• PacificSource

• Regence Blue Shield of Idaho

• SelectHealth

• Start Hearing

• Tricare

• TriWest (with VA Authorization)

• United Healthcare

• UHC Hearing

• UMR

Insurance Patients

The ISU Audiology Clinic accepts private insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.

• Medicare and Medicaid patients must have a physician referral in order for the clinic to bill insurance.

• If a referral is not provided, patients will be responsible for any charges not covered by insurance.

• All private insurance will be verified prior to your visit.

• A minimum payment of $50.00 for commercial insurance patients is required at the time of service, as most hearing benefits are not covered until the deductible has been met.

Payment Information

Most hearing services are non-covered and may be applied toward your deductible.  Hearing aids must be paid in full at the time of fitting.

NOW ACCEPTING CARE CREDIT for Hearing Aids!

Billing & Payment Policies:

• Statements are mailed monthly.
• Monthly payments are required to avoid collections.
• If you cannot pay your bill in full, payment plans are available.
• Payment, including co-pays or deductible deposits, are expected at the time of service.
• We accept cash, check, and Visa/debit payments.
• Click below to make an online payment.

Pay Online

No Surprise Billing Act

FAQs - ISU Audiology

Appointments & Referrals

Do I need a referral to be seen at the ISU Audiology Clinic?
Referrals are required for all Medicare and Medicaid patients. If you have private insurance, a referral may not be required, but it’s recommended to check with your insurance provider for coverage requirements.

How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling (208) 373-1734. Our staff will assist you in selecting an appointment time and ensure you have the correct forms completed before your visit.

Hearing Evaluations

What should I expect during my hearing evaluation?
Your audiologist will begin with a discussion about your hearing concerns, medical history, and symptoms. The evaluation may include otoscopy, audiometry, tympanometry, and speech-in-noise testing to determine the type and degree of hearing loss.

How long does a hearing evaluation take?
Most hearing evaluations take about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the tests performed and whether additional counseling or device recommendations are provided.

Hearing Aids & Devices

How do I know if I need hearing aids?
If your evaluation shows a degree of hearing loss that affects communication, your audiologist will discuss treatment options and may recommend hearing aids or other assistive devices.

Do you work with specific hearing aid brands?
Yes. The ISU Audiology Clinic works with major manufacturers to ensure access to the latest technology. This allows our audiologists to select hearing aids based on your individual hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget.

How long do hearing aids last?
With proper care and maintenance, most hearing aids last between five and seven years. Routine cleanings and checkups can help extend their life and maintain optimal performance.

Billing & Payment

Does insurance cover hearing aids?
Most insurance plans do not fully cover hearing aids. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider for details. 

When is payment due?
Payment, including co-pays, is expected at the time of service. Hearing aids must be paid in full at the time of fitting.  Financing is available through Care Credit.

Medical Records

How can I request a copy of my medical records?
Patients may request to review or obtain a copy of their records by completing and signing an Authorization to Release Protected Health Information (PHI) form.  Requests are typically processed within 10 business days.

Idaho State University recognizes that our mission is to care, support, and educate individuals and families affected by health conditions that diminish their quality of life. We acknowledge that individuals may experience discrimination in the healthcare system, which can adversely affect their health outcomes.  We recognize that both conscious and unconscious discrimination occur. Overt and conscious discrimination is not tolerated. Unconscious or unintentional discrimination need to be identified, challenged, and addressed. We believe everyone has the right to be healthy and have access to the resources they need.

We strive to achieve the following commitments to our colleagues and our patients:

•  Goal 1: We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
• Goal 2: All patients receive the highest level of care possible delivered in a patient and family friendly approach using evidence-based medicine.
• Goal 3: We recognize racism, not race, as the cause for healthcare disparities and therefore will examine our healthcare treatment plans for bias.
• Goal 4: We will track information on factors that create disparities as they relate to health outcomes to better identify how we may actively seek to eliminate such disparities in healthcare.
• Goal 5: We intend to improve the diversity of our workforce to reflect the community we serve.
• Goal 6: We commit to listen, learn, and seek to understand in order to create impactful and sustainable positive change.
• Goal 7: We will recognize and reward practices that promote health equity.

Definition of health equity: The state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/

While the terms equity and equality may sound similar, the implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for marginalized people: Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome within the scope of care provided at ISU Clinics.

• Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
• American Academy of Audiology:  The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership of more than 12,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.
• American Speech and Language Association (ASHA):  ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 173,070 members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel, and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.
• American Cochlear Implant Alliance: The American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance is a not-for-profit organization created with the purpose of eliminating barriers to cochlear implantation by sponsoring research, driving heightened awareness, and advocating for improved access to cochlear implants for patients of all ages across the United States.
• American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC): ASDC is a national organization of families and professionals committed to educating, empowering, and supporting parents and families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The ASDC helps families find meaningful communication options, particularly through the competent use of sign language, in their home, school, and community.
• Association of Late-Deafened Adults, Inc. (ALDA):  ALDA serves as a resource center providing information and referrals, self-help, and support groups for people deafened as adults. ALDA works to increase public awareness of the special needs of deafened adults.
• Association of Medical Professionals With Hearing Losses (AMPHL): AMPHL aims to assist those in the professional health fields address issues surrounding their hearing loss. To help achieve this goal, their website provides information based on current issues in health fields along with personal experiences and insights into making hearing loss more compatible with the medical profession.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA):   HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. Its national support network includes an office in the Washington, DC, area as well as 14 state organizations and 200 local chapters.
• American Tinnitus Association:  ATA is a global leader in the effort to find a cure for tinnitus. We bring together patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry partners and lawmakers to develop tinnitus management tools and fund vital tinnitus research.
• Vestibular Disorders Association: VEDA provides information and support to the parents or teachers of people suffering from inner-ear balance disorders.
• Idaho Sound Beginnings: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention sponsored by the Department of Health and Welfare.
• Hands and Voices: A non-profit organization lead by parents who want to support families of  children who are deaf or hard of hearing.