Circuit Changes - Changes in hearing, difficulty in specific listening situations, and the desire for the addition of some of the more sophisticated circuits sometimes require the complete redesign of the hearing aid. Many times the manufacturers will accommodate such requests at no fee but in other instances additional costs may be imposed. Your audiologist will be happy to contact the manufacturer for a cost estimate to assist you in deciding on a plan of action. Extended Warranties - The initial comprehensive policy provided with new hearing aids may often be extended from one to four additional years. Such a policy allows the user to budget maintenance costs.
Separate policies offering limited loss and damage coverage are available.
While they are relatively inexpensive, their coverage is limited and may not cover all costs involved in replacement. Costs vary depending upon whether the repair work is contracted back to the original manufacturer or whether a general repair facility is used. Some considerations include the fact that many original manufacturers refuse to service hearing aids which are over 5 years old. General repair facilities try to use components of the original manufacturers but do not promise to do so. They do, however, promise to bring the hearing aid back in compliance with its original specifications.