Why Do Hearing Aids Cost So Much? The Answer Is - They Don't!

The truth behind the perceived high prices for hearing aids lies in the tactics used to sell hearing aids. The tactic is an old one, and is used in many consumer goods. The suggested retail price is significantly inflated; the dealer will then advertise a HUGE discount to the instruments which when applied to the inflated retail price discounts the aids to current market prices.

I recently saw an advertisement that said, "save up to $6,000 on a set of digital hearing aids." How is that possible when the most expensive hearing aids sell for around $6,000 for a binaural, two hearing aids, set? The answer is simple. The consumer, or patient, is led to believe, by deceptive advertising, that the regular price is much higher than it actually is. The hearing aid dealer then offers a huge discount, or a buy one, get one free coupon suggesting to the patient significant price reductions.

While we are talking about deceptive ads, there have been many advertisements suggesting, "we sell the only hearing aids manufactured in Utah," or, "we manufacture the only hearing aids made in Utah." In reality there are no hearing aids manufactured anywhere in the state of Utah.

Many people are led to believe Sonic Innovations, a digital hearing aid manufacturer, manufactures their aids right here in Utah. In reality Sonic Innovations corporate and research facilities are housed in Utah, however they do not manufacture instruments.

Additionally, none of the other hearing aid dealers are actually manufacturers. They buy various parts from actual hearing aid manufactures, often old or discontinued parts, then assemble the instruments at their office.

They do no research. They don't develop new or better technology. They simply assemble currently available/ discontinued products. There are six major manufacturers of hearing aids in the U.S.: Starkey, Sonic Innovations, Oticon, Widex, Resound and Siemens. These manufacturers do not sell their "Top of the Line" digital proprietary instruments to Mom and Pop hearing aid companies who call themselves hearing aid manufacturers.

Starkey Laboratories is presently leading the industry with new technology. They recently spent more than $40 million on research and development of the new Destiny line of hearing aids. Each of the above mentioned manufacturers will also invest a substantial amount of money into research and development of new products. The cost of the research and development is reflected in the price of today's excellent hearing aid technologies.

You're hearing health care needs, and best interest, will be served when you see a Certified Clinical Audiologist or Doctor of Audiology. Ask for these credentials when researching a partner for your hearing health care needs. Additionally be aware that there are deceptive advertisements every day in local news papers and on T.V. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Stephen Harward
Certified Clinical Audiologist
Simply Seniors News
http://www.SimplySeniorsNews.com

Hearing Aid Reviews High Point NC

Hearing Loss and the Use of Hearing Aids

An estimated one-quarter of Americans between the ages of 65 and 75 and around 75 percent of those older than age 75 have some degree of hearing loss, either mild, moderate, or sever. Hearing loss can be categorized by where or what part of the auditory system is damaged. Hearing loss treatment depends on the cause and severity of your hearing loss. When describing hearing loss we generally look at three attributes: type of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, and the configuration of the hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (the "hammer, anvil, and stirrup") of the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss usually involves a reduction in sound level, or the ability to hear faint sounds. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear (retrocochlear) to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be medically or surgically corrected. Other types of hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing aids.

Progressive hearing loss is a hearing loss that becomes increasingly worse over time. Sometimes it can be so subtle that you may not even notice it. This is why it is imperative to have regular hearing exams. If you show a pattern of hearing loss (some hearing losses change -- sometimes getting better, sometimes getting worse) you may be a good candidate for a hearing aid. If you have severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be an option for you.

Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. Medical treatment, various forms of amplification systems and simple coping skills can improve your hearing and quality of life. If a hearing aid is appropriate for your hearing loss, an audiologist can discuss with you the potential benefits of using a hearing aid, recommend a device and fit you with it. Hearing aids can't help everyone with hearing loss, but they can improve hearing for many people. Hearing aids come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles.

If your hearing loss is more severe, often due to damage to your inner ear, an electronic device called a cochlear implant may be an option. Unlike a hearing aid that amplifies sound and directs it into your ear canal, a cochlear implant compensates for damaged or non-working parts of your inner ear.

Hearing loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. When describing hearing loss we generally look at three attributes: type of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, and the configuration of the hearing loss. You and your doctor or hearing specialist can deal with hearing loss by taking steps to improve what you hear. You may be a candidate for a cochlear implant but more than likely you will be a candidate for a hearing aid. A hearing aid is the most common solution for people with hearing aids.

Dean Novosat offers free advice, reports, and reviews at http://www.hearingadvisors.com Hearing Aids.

Hearing Aid Repair High Point NC

The Prescription Analyzer for Hearing Aids - How it Works

Dissatisfied with your present hearing aid? Does it only work part of the time, or does it only clearly pick up half of the sounds you hear? Before you think about throwing it away, you should test your hearing device with a prescription analyzer to determine what steps to take, if your aid should be repaired or replaced.

When you make an appointment to test your hearing aid with a prescription analyzer, here is how it will work:

Live Speech Mapping

The prescription analyzer will measure the live speech of your spouse or any other family member whom you are having trouble understanding clearly. A probe microphone is placed between the hearing aid and your eardrum, and measures what the hearing aid is actually amplifying. Your hearing aid is then programmed while live speech is being amplified through it. The prescription analyzer measures the change in performance of the aid to accommodate what you were missing.

Video Otoscope

With the Video Otoscope, the analyzer can show you a picture of the of the ear canal as well as ear drum for purposes of looking for wax, disease, tumors, or perforations. This will determine if your ear is the issue.

Hearing Loss Simulator

The prescription analyzer enables the spouse or family member to hear how the person with the hearing loss hears. The analyzer can actually reproduce voices or music while adding the hearing loss. Experience first hand what your loved ones are living without.

The prescription analyzer can simulate what a hearing aid would do for the hearing impaired patient. At the time of testing you can hear exactly how the hearing aid will perform before you decide to try it.

Increasing Performance

Once the results are in from the live speech mapping, the hearing specialist can make programming adjustments, replace any necessary components, or make any physical changes to the hearing aid necessary to increase the performance of that hearing aid.

The prescription analyzer measures the affect of your own voice and tells exactly what to do to relieve any problems you are experiencing due to the sounds of you own voice.

The prescription analyzer measures the battery drain of your hearing aid, telling if your aid is draining too much current. Knowing if the battery drain is correct or not is one of the clearest insights into the overall condition of the aid. It can be determined what, if anything, needs to be done to improve performance.

So before you decide to throw away a hearing aid you think isn't working, contact a hearing specialist to see about a prescription analyzer for your aid. You may discover just a little repair is need to make your hearing device last.

Robert Hutchcraft is owner of Advanced Hearing Technologies, provider of quality digital hearing aids and repair services. AHT offers hearing device assistance and services throughout the Ohio Valley, in Virginia, and online at AdvancedHearingTechnologies.com.

Hearing Aid Reviews High Point NC