Hearing Aids: Seven Buyers Beware Warnings

By Robert Bare

Editor: Hearing aids can be a great tool for folks with hearing loss. But getting good hearing aids that provide maximum benefit may not be as easy as you think. Here's Bob Bare with seven things to watch out for before buying hearing aids.

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Things to WATCH OUT FOR before investing in hearing aids.

1. "Free Hearing Test"

Make sure you are truly getting a free hearing test, and not just a free "sales pitch". Are you getting a short screening test (which is common), or a true evaluation?

A true hearing assessment should include:
Case history
Physical exam with otoscope
Pure tone audiometry
Middle ear assessment, either by tuning fork, bone oscillator, or tympanometry
Speech discrimination assessment
Speech audiometry

Always ask if you will receive a copy of your hearing test. You should keep a copy for your own records. Part of the HIPAA act gives you the right to have access to your own health records.

Often the best way to select a reputable healthcare provider is to ask friends and acquaintances if they have someone they would recommend.

2. Is it a "One Brand Only" provider?

If the provider can only fit one brand, you may be limiting yourself from getting the newest or best technology. Hearing aid brands are very competitive, but sometimes a hearing instrument manufacturer comes out with new technology earlier than others. If you would be best served by a new breakthrough that was just introduced by one particular company, you want to be able to get that technology.

Also, many times the "one brand" providers are locked into a franchise or financing agreement that requires them to pay a premium price for a protected territory, or they pay extra for each hearing aid to pay back an "advance" or loan they received from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers provide equipment or loans, but require the hearing aid provider to purchase only from them. In many cases, the cost to be fit with hearing aids from a "single brand" provider will be significantly higher than someone who has the ability to chose from a number of brands, and can select what would be the most effective for a particular situation.

Most manufacturers now own several different brand names. Often an identical hearing instrument to the "franchised" brand name can be purchased for much less, under a different, more generic brand.

3. Does the company have an established, permanent, full time office?

It's great to be able to have someone come to you, especially if it is difficult to get around. A sizable portion of the cost of hearing aids is for service, adjustments, and warranty coverage. If you can't locate your provider when you need assistance several months or a year after you are fit with new hearing aids, you have paid for services that you didn't receive.

Even if you can't leave the house, make sure that your provider has an established office. It shows financial responsibility, and you can send your instruments by mail or have a friend take them to the office for cleaning or service.

4. Is your provider an accredited, licensed professional?

Most states have a temporary permit program for trainees, who are supposed to be trained under direct supervision of a licensed professional. Make sure the person you are working with is licensed, experienced, and accredited for your state.

5. Read the fine print on advertisements. If the offer seems "too good to be true", it probably is.

6. Beware of "Low Price" leader ads. Most hearing aids advertised at an uncommonly low price are entry level instruments, often using out dated or very basic technology. Just because the word "Digital" is used, does not mean it is a high technology hearing aid.

Often consumers who respond to a low price ad are told "Your hearing loss is too bad for that hearing aid - you need a different model", which of course, costs more. If you insist on the "bargain" priced instrument, it often ends up not being used, because it has very little functionality and adjustability.

7. What about the Internet?

If you are an educated, experienced hearing aid user who is well informed, you might consider the internet as one option, knowing full well that you will give up personal service and optimum fine tuning by shopping on the internet for a hearing aid. Most people would never consider buying and adjusting braces for straightening their teeth on the internet, because they don't have the training to do that. Hearing aids, especially digital hearing aids, require programming and fine tuning to work at their best.

Much better results can usually be obtained with digital hearing aids by having them programmed and fine tuned while wearing the hearing aid to respond to the changes. Many of the higher quality digital aids can not achieve their best performance until they have been calibrated for feedback and best response while in the ear.

There are internet businesses that sell hearing aids, and connect you with a local provider for the testing, fitting, and service. This seems to be working out great for most people. Make sure you are comfortable working with the person you are sent to see. If not, call the internet company back after your appointment, and ask them if they have a different provider in your area.

Any first time hearing aid user should go to either a local provider, or through an internet provider that sends you to a local dispenser or audiologist for the testing and follow up service. If you've never worn a hearing aid before, you will want the extra time and personal counsel that a local professional can provide.