• From: Corpus Christi Texas
  • Registered: 2009-05-26
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Affordable Hearing Aids?

I am a retired hearing aid dispenser and business owner after 40 years. I have worked with the deaf and hard of hearing my entire life.

The high cost of hearing aids has always been something that irritates me to no end.  I have complained to the upper echelons but nobody really listens.  My father nor my mother could ever afford hearing aids as well as many of my deaf and hard of hearing relatives.  My grandmother who passed away at 99 years of age never had a hearing aid and spent the last few years of her life very lonely.

The hearing industry complain that only 2% of those who need hearing aids are buying hearing aids. 

While I was in business I worked with the other 98% and enjoyed the expressions of happiness that spread all over their faces when they could hear again.  My average cost of hearing aids was $398.  There were many times that I fitted my clients at my cost.  Yes, I retired, not wealthy but content.

The market of hearing aids would improve tremendously if the 98% could be targeted with less costly hearing benefits.  The problem is that greed takes over and the other is that no one wants to work harder to earn an income.

There just is not enough room nor time to vent all my frustrations over this, but I hope somebody will read it and have compassion for all those who will never be able to enjoy life to the full by providing hearing aids at a more reasonable price.

John W Dudley, Retired Hearing Aid Dispenser (RHAD) .  I’ve always wanted initials at the end of my name.

Last edited by jwdudley (2009-05-26 20:05:32)

John W Dudley RHAS
www.abattery.com

jwdudley's Website

  • Registered: 2008-12-09
  • Posts: 22

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

Hello Mr. Dudley

Thank you for your years of assisting those who need hearing aids and for going out of your way to do so at your own expense.  I am still paying on my one aid.  I only need one (totally deaf in the other ear) and the one I now have cost almost $3000.  I would not only not be able to fully participate in life as I have been able to (my hearing loss has progressed over the last few years), but I would not be able to hold the job I love, as a social worker in a hospital for those with mental illness.  I don't know what the answer is in these kind of situations.  I only know that it is ironic and a terrible tragedy that we are fortunate to live in a time when there are more solutions to problems than ever, more effective medications for what ails us and absolutely miraculous technology to assist us to live life to the fullest --- and it is priced out of the reach of most of those who need it.   Greed really is the root of all evil.

Kate

  • Registered: 2009-08-01
  • Posts: 5

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

The traditional method of dispensing hearing aids is based on the medical office model.  Very expensive and time consuming as far as I am concerned.  I have within the past year found a new approach to purchasing my hearing aids.  I found an internet provider called Hearsource.com  http://www.hearsource.com. 

I found them after they repaired my old Siemens hearing aids.  My audiologist had advised me that my old aids could not be repaired.  HearSource repaired them for $99 each.  They sounded as good as new when I got them back.  So much for not being able to be repaired.

When I was on their website I saw a set of hearing aids that had similar features to the ones that my audi had recommended to me, but for only $995 each.

Several months later I did purchase hearing aids from HearSource.  Now I know that many will ask, "How can hearing aids be adjusted properly if purchased over the internet?"  The answer is that I adjust them myself.  They provided me with the software, programming box, cables, etc. so I can do it myself.  The first time I tried to adjust them I had a HearSource "Coach" help me.  I am now comfortable now with the process and I do it totally by myself.  I know I hear better than I ever have before with any hearing aid, because I am the one doing the adjusting.

First I saved money by having my Siemens hearing aids repaired (when I was told they could not be repaired) instead of buying new ones.  Secondly, when I did purchase new hearing aids I bought them for less that $2,000, and now do the fine tuning myself.

My Grand Mother could or would not be able to do this without my help, but I can.  Good luck.

  • Registered: 2009-08-25
  • Posts: 5

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

@Normandy

That sounds interesting..till these days i though only audiologist can adjust the settings. Will they ship the products to India?

remedies for tinnitus
  • From: NYC
  • Registered: 2009-08-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

@normandy, a good audiologist should know how to adjust and repair the hearing aid. I am sorry to hear of such greed to try and make you buy another hearing aid when they should of just fixed it. I hope hearing aid prices drop so more people can afford them.

Your friends at DSH

dunshaw's Website

  • Registered: 2009-04-01
  • Posts: 3

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

Well said Mr. Dudley.  I wish to thank you on behalf of all of us for practicing what you preach.

Jim Parr

  • From: Miami FL
  • Registered: 2009-10-22
  • Posts: 12

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

I can relate to all of the above, never had insurance help with my hearing aids. I do understand that Medicaid pays for a hearing aid every 3 yrs, and OVR helps pay for a hearing aid if you are enrolled in their program to learn a trade or if you are working. I don't have Medicaid, nor am enrolled with OVR.

And now, I have two cochlear implants. The Clarion from Advanced Bionics, is from 11 yrs ago, is a body worn processor and has never broken once so I don't bother with extended warranty for it. The processor and its parts are becoming obsolete with Advanced Bionics due to advancements in processors since 11 yrs ago. I want to buy the BTE (behind the ear) when it comes out in a year or so, but have heard it will cost over $7,500!

The Nucleus 24 from Cochlear Americas on the other side is a BTE, I got it over 3 yrs ago, has broken 4 times in the first 3 yr original warranty. The extended 2 yr warranty that I just purchased, includes a new outer processor at the end of the 2 yrs and cost me $5,900. Eek.

I asked my Avmed insurance for help, they declined. My work place also had no resources to help me. Avmed did pay for both surgeries by the way. So I put the extended warranty on the credit card. What else can I do? I like wearing both of them very much.

Hope my car behaves...

  • Registered: 2009-02-16
  • Posts: 9

Re: Affordable Hearing Aids?

The problem as to why HA's are expensive is as follows.  The government has classified them as "medical".. and as such must be dispensed medically, while most insurance companies classify them as cosmetic.. and thus, in most cases because of their high price,  insurance doesn't pay for them.. and the public can't afford them.

The other problem is what I call "self-defeating".  The HA dispensing industry, ie: ENT's, Audi's, BC-HIS's has priced their HA's and services (for what ever reason), so high to their customers that the potential HA wearer can't afford them.. and thus the HA industry isn't able to sell as many as they want, which just perpetuates the vicious circle.  Folks.. there are between 20 to 30 MILLION people out there who have a HOH problem, but because of high prices they don't purchase HA's.. which is the number 1 reason given!

Now the thing that doesn't make any sense to me are the advertisements I see from the various HA dispensers in my area that are advertising in my daily local newspaper.  As a example.. and here is what is written in one of the many full page ads I see almost daily:

Dr. V.L.M whose qualifications include: FAAA, CCC-A, BC-HIS, Dr. of Audiology, Board Certified Audiologist is pleased to announce that they have been chosen as one of the first Audiology Offices to introduce the new "GNResound Live".

You go down a little bit farther in the ad and see/read their Fall Specials.

GNResound Essence normally priced at $1,499 is NOW $699 EACH!  All styles are included.. from CIC to BTE.

And as another part of the ad..

Don't miss this truly amazing special.. the absolutely best deal in town.  Top brands, all styles.. even the new "open fit".  100% digital, dual microphone, DFS feed-back manager, 6 channels, etc., etc.  This same aid sells for $1,999 other places.  Now only $999.  We will meet all our competitor's prices for the same product, or better style.. even the internet!

Am I missing something here?  If you're advertising (and selling), various HA's at thousands below their regular/normal price, then THAT tells me you're over pricing them in the first place.  And if you're now selling them at the "Special ?" price that you now are.. then THAT tells me they're not costing you that much in the first place.  Any business owner will tell you that you can't sell something at or below your break even point, because if you do, you won't be in business long.

The point I was trying to make about the newspaper ad was this.. "It's obvious HA's regular price are overpriced in the first place, that's why 20 to 30 Million potential HOH'rs don't wear any.  Where as the ad clearly shows HA's can be sold at a lower price.. and still make money for the dispenser.  So my question is: "If you're making money with the lower prices, then why are HA's priced so high in the first place?"

Just my thoughts.  Others may get different mileage out of this.

Shi-Ku Chishiki

ShiKu.Chishiki@Gmail.com