From: Jack.O'keeffe@p0.f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: hearing aid prices
Date: 13 Apr 92 21:00:03 GMT
Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@p0.f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26.0 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA

Index Number: 21060

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 JZ>  My mother has problems hearing and so went to have a
 JZ>  hearing test.

I hope that your mother got a medical checkup first, John.
It is a real good idea to rule out medical problems first,
before getting a hearing aid.  This, in fact, is required by
a FDA regulation, but adults are allowed to sign a waiver.

 JZ>  It seems that she needs aids in each ear for a total
 JZ>  cost of $970.  I'm not in the business, but the price
 JZ>  seems a little excessive . . . My question is: is the
 JZ>  price really out of line

Yes, it's excessive.  But it is not at all out of line with
what people are charged for hearing aids.  One recent survey
reported that the average end user cost for ONE hearing aid
was $1000.  IMHO, the price of all hearing aids is excessive.

One should NEVER pay as much for the second aid as the first.
The cost of examination, fitting, etc., which accounts for
much of the dealers expense, is essentially the same for one
aid or two.

I recently talked to a gentleman who had paid $2000 for a pair
of in-the-ear aids which were totally unsatisfactory. And he
was unable to get the dealer, or the prominent nationally
advertised franchise company, to do anything for him.

 JZ> what kind of reputation does American Hearing Aids have.

I'm not familiar with the American Hearing Aids brand, John,
so I am unable to comment on their reputation.  The reputation
of the dealer is probably more important than the reputation
of the manufacturer.  Many hearing aids have become commodities,
almost like PCs :-)

Here are a few suggestions, and questions you or your mother
might ask:

Why does the dealer recommend this particular hearing aid?
(If they can't tell you, do they really know?)

Has your mother been given an opportunity to try other aids
to see which work best for her?

Is this the only brand of hearing aid sold by this dealer?
Or do they offer several different brands?

Does the aid work well with a telephone?  Have her try it.
(Some aids are equipped with a special device that helps
them work well with telephones.  It costs only about $15
extra.  Sadly, many dealers don't tell customers about this.)

Is this the best aid for your mother?  Or is it the aid the
dealer needs to sell to qualify for an promotional incentive?
(Some hearing aid manufacturers offer promotional incentives
to dealers to sell more of a particular kind of hearing aid.)

Does the dealer offer - in writing - a free or low cost trial
period, with return priviledge if the aid is unsatisfactory?
(This is required by law in several states, but unfortunately
not all.)

If the dealer will not guarantee the right to return an
unsatisfactory aid, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.  Find another dealer
who will offer a free or low cost trial option.  Many will.

 JZ>  Unfortunately, she lives in another state and I can't
 JZ>  check it out in person.

Is there a chapter of SHHH (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
where your mother lives?  If so, she might check out the dealer's
rep with people who may have dealt with him/her before.

 JZ>  Is there any aids that are better than others, if so,
 JZ>  what vendors are they?

Sure, some are better than others.  I have my favorites, but it
is a highly subjective judgement.  It would be inappropriate to
suggest a particular brand or vendor.  Every individual's hearing
loss is different.  The aids that work best for me may not be the
best for your mother.  That's why it's so important to get help
from a qualified professional, preferably one who is NOT in the
business of selling hearing aids.

... Caveat Emptor!

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