Mailorder Hearing Aids

[i_am_jim]

I've never owned a pair of hearing aids. I was tested day before yesterday and the audiologist said I needed them. She suggested a model that would cost $6000.

While looking for user comments on this model I stumbled onto this website (http://www.precisehearing.com/hearing-aids-c-1.html?zenid=6850ff7fce845f2997592c3b3ee1442e) selling the identical model for $3000.

I understand paying a few hundred dollars for personal assistance in fitting and accommodating to them, but $3000 seems out of line.

Has anyone here had experience with buying hearing aids over the internet? Experience with this particular outfit is welcomed too.

[jchunter]

In my opinion, just about all hearing aids are priced way higher than their technology justifies.

Check out http://www.americahears.com/indexb.shtml and http://hearsource.com/ for alternative ways to save on hearing aids. You can adjust these yourself with your computer.

[jay_man2]

I've been using hearing aids for 6 years now, and have purchased aids from my local audiologist, America Hears (americahears.com) and Precise Hearing (precisehearing.com).

All have been perfectly fine experiences. I did recently try and return a pair of GN ReSound dot 30 aids to precisehearing.com. I decided they weren't enough advanced over my GN ReSound Pulse aids to justify the $2990, since the Pulse aids work perfectly well.

As a brand new wearer, I'd recommend that you use your local audiologist, Costco, or America Hears. Getting the aids properly fitted and adjusted, and you getting adjusted to them is quite an experience, and having easy access to someone who can adjust the aids is important. Sending them back to Precise Hearing for adjustments and not having the use of the aids for at least a week while they adjust them, is just not a viable option for a new wearer trying to adjust to aids.

With the local audiologist, a Costco hearing center, or America Hears, you can have the aids fine-tuned and not be without them at all. And the beauty of America Hears is that they include the programming hardware and software with the aids. You just need a computer with Windows XP and some basic skills to program the aids. By "program the aids" I do mean download and install into the aids the programming that a qualified hearing aid fitter or audiologist at America Hears prepared for you.

In my experience with America Hears, I could call the 800 number, describe what I was experiencing or needed and a couple of hours later have an email from them that my new settings were ready to download.

But as I've said before in other threads, as a new wearer, I was glad that I had an audiologist that I respected and who helped me through the adjustment period. Now as an experienced wearer, I have no qualms buying aids from America Hears or Precise Hearing.

[lentia]

Hello jay_man2

Thank you for the following part of your recent post:

In my experience with America Hears, I could call the 800 number, describe what I was experiencing or needed and a couple of hours later have an email from them that my new settings were ready to download.

Now, please tell me: Does America Hears provide software which allows you to do your own independent adjusting or do you have to go thru them each time you make a change? It was my understanding so far, that one my use their software for independent adjustments, without them providing suggesting settings, should one desire to go that route.

Please clarify and thank you

Lentia.

[jchunter]

You can download a demo version of AmericaHears' programmer here http://www.americahears.com/CONVENIENCE_vo.shtml .
They do the initial programming from your audiogram. You can adjust them later from your computer or call them and they download the adjustments for you.

[xbulder]

i would strongly suggest to do some shopping and go to see a local dispenser.... before you comit either way...

[jay_man2]

...
Now, please tell me: Does America Hears provide software which allows you to do your own independent adjusting or do you have to go thru them each time you make a change? It was my understanding so far, that one my use their software for independent adjustments, without them providing suggesting settings, should one desire to go that route.

Please clarify and thank you

Lentia.As jchunter posted, you can have America Hears make the adjustment, or you can do it yourself. You even have the option of saving the settings you create as the new baseline that America Hears has in their files, should you choose to upload it to them.

[i_am_jim]

i would strongly suggest to do some shopping and go to see a local dispenser.... before you comit either way...

Yes, I was counseled by the audiologist who did my hearing test. She recommends the ReSound Dot 30 (http://www.gnresound.com/con-dot.html), and charges just under $6000 dollars for it -- I gasped. I later found it on the web (http://www.precisehearing.com/hearing-aids-c-1.html?zenid=556a881b606aba1c0540f491b91b6a32) for just under $3000. This is still a breathtaking amount to me as my insurance doesn't cover any part of hearing aids except the test. (Incidentally, that seems odd to me -- why pay for a test to find out if there's a problem they won't do anything about?).

I will say, though this place boasts "Quick response Customer Service," it's been more than 24 hours since I first emailed them my test results, and they haven't contacted me.

[jay_man2]

Yes, I was counseled by the audiologist who did my hearing test. She recommends the ReSound Dot 30 (http://www.gnresound.com/con-dot.html), and charges just under $6000 dollars for it -- I gasped. I later found it on the web (http://www.precisehearing.com/hearing-aids-c-1.html?zenid=556a881b606aba1c0540f491b91b6a32) for just under $3000. This is still a breathtaking amount to me as my insurance doesn't cover any part of hearing aids except the test. (Incidentally, that seems odd to me -- why pay for a test to find out if there's a problem they won't do anything about?).

I will say, though this place boasts "Quick response Customer Service," it's been more than 24 hours since I first emailed them my test results, and they haven't contacted me.Call the 800 number and tell them that you emailed them. Ask to speak to Donna.

[jchunter]

Yes, I was counseled by the audiologist who did my hearing test. She recommends the ReSound Dot 30 (http://www.gnresound.com/con-dot.html), and charges just under $6000 dollars for it -- I gasped. I later found it on the web (http://www.precisehearing.com/hearing-aids-c-1.html?zenid=556a881b606aba1c0540f491b91b6a32) for just under $3000. Wonderful advice, she gave you...:rolleyes: If you have any interest in just how much state-of-the-art electronics costs, stop in at Walmart, where you can buy three to four complete dual-processor computers, with LCD monitors for $3000. For $6000, you could add a 60" big-screen HDTV. :cool:

Audiologists will continue to sell at these crazy prices only as long as others continue to pay them.:eek:

[wantahear]

I guess I was lucky to find a very good audi who used REM and has worked with me through my first experience with HA's. He charged me $390 more than the cheapest I found my aids on the net. To me it is well worth the $390.

[i_am_jim]

He charged me $390 more than the cheapest I found my aids on the net. To me it is well worth the $390.

I completely agree. But, $3000 more is another thing.

[dleepenn]

I have been working with Hearing Planet and they've sent me to a local audiologist that I was very impressed with. She will handle the fitting of the aid and adjustments and is only about 5 minutes from my home.

Hearing Planet does offer some discount but I'm not sure how much.

Lee

[sglewis3]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and hearing aids. I had a hearing test at my local ENT/Audiologist a couple of years ago and the audi recommended some HAs at $3000/each. I never did do anything about that recommendation but now I realize I REALLY need HAs. Questions:
1. Do I need to see my ENT first (i.e. do I need an exam in addition to a new hearing test)?
2. Should I go back to the audi or can I go to a chain (allegedly, I get discounts through the HearPO chain through my insurance even though they don't pay for it)?
3. One of the factors in where to go to is convenience. HearPO is near my office but the audi is on the other side of town. How many visits and approx. of what length should I anticipate?
4. Does anyone know anything, good or bad, about HearPO?

Thanks for any help.

[jchunter]

You might want to read through this thread http://www.hearingaidforums.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=14 that a forum user is having with an excellent but less expensive hearing aid. You probably need a new hearing test if it has been several years since the last one.

[xbulder]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and hearing aids. I had a hearing test at my local ENT/Audiologist a couple of years ago and the audi recommended some HAs at $3000/each. I never did do anything about that recommendation but now I realize I REALLY need HAs. Questions:
1. Do I need to see my ENT first (i.e. do I need an exam in addition to a new hearing test)?
2. Should I go back to the audi or can I go to a chain (allegedly, I get discounts through the HearPO chain through my insurance even though they don't pay for it)?
3. One of the factors in where to go to is convenience. HearPO is near my office but the audi is on the other side of town. How many visits and approx. of what length should I anticipate?
4. Does anyone know anything, good or bad, about HearPO?

Thanks for any help.

You need to get clearance from a DR, that you are a candidate for a hearing aid. Most Ents, work with Audis so you can also get your audiogram at the same time. With those results, you can perhaps shop around different options..

I would also check Costco out, since they have been favorably review in the forum.. Some people in the forum had good exp. with audis while others have good exp. with His, it depends in the dispenser...
good luck

[i_am_jim]

I had a hearing test at my local ENT/Audiologist a couple of years ago . . .

If it's been two years I'd say you should be retested. My hearing had a meaningful change in 18 months.

1. Do I need to see my ENT first (i.e. do I need an exam in addition to a new hearing test)?

If you choose to you can get away without a doctors recommendation by signing a waver saying it's against your personal beliefs.

[EnglishDispenser]

In my opinion, just about all hearing aids are priced way higher than their technology justifies.
...
Audiologists will continue to sell at these crazy prices only as long as others continue to pay them.

... but the example you gave of buying a TV isn't quite fair.

Do you go back to the electronics shop for 5 or 10 TV tuning visits lasting an hour each time?

[jchunter]

Of course it is fair to compare a hearing aid to any and all electronic devices. The ultimate absurdity is that hearing aids cost more than complete computers. :eek:

Many people who need hearing aids do not have them because they are priced way out of their budgets.

Fortunately, the situation is changing, as http://americahears.com, http://hearsource.com/, and Costco lower prices and streamline the distribution channels.

[EnglishDispenser]

Of course it is fair to compare a hearing aid to any and all electronic devices. The ultimate absurdity is that hearing aids cost more than complete computers.
Firstly, they ARE complete computers.
Secondly, only 6.5 million aids are made each year globally, spread across multiple chip designs, so there is very little economy of scale.

Many people who need hearing aids do not have them because they are priced way out of their budgets.

Who ever said that life was fair?
Strictly speaking, the high price of hearing aids IN ITSELF is irrelevant.

Fortunately, the situation is changing, as http://americahears.com, http://hearsource.com/, and Costco lower prices and streamline the distribution channels.
The first two are really only for a minority of users.
I don't know enough about Costco to have an opinion on them.


So, yes, I totally agree that hearing aids are much too expensive - but it is important to get your arguments accurate.

Simply comparing the price & technology of an off-the-shelf mass-produced consumer product with a limited production device which needs a lot of 1-to-1 support is clearly incorrect and weakens any argument you want to make about the high pricing of heairng aids.

[xbulder]

Of course it is fair to compare a hearing aid to any and all electronic devices. The ultimate absurdity is that hearing aids cost more than complete computers. :eek:

Many people who need hearing aids do not have them because they are priced way out of their budgets.

Fortunately, the situation is changing, as http://americahears.com, http://hearsource.com/, and Costco lower prices and streamline the distribution channels.

out of the 3, i think costco offers the best alternative, as the user is given the opportunity to get REM and counceling...

Costco also offers some branded instruments such as Rexton and Bernafon (siemens group and Demant group - oticon)

[jchunter]

...So, yes, I totally agree that hearing aids are much too expensive - but it is important to get your arguments accurate.

Simply comparing the price & technology of an off-the-shelf mass-produced consumer product with a limited production device which needs a lot of 1-to-1 support is clearly incorrect and weakens any argument you want to make about the high pricing of heairng aids.I am fully aware that the Digital Signal Processor that is used in digital hearing aids is a computer on one single inexpensive semiconductor chip. These are made in standard, fully mature CMOS fabrication lines, which is why they are so inexpensive. The DSPs have firmware libraries and speedy built in functions, such as multi channel frequency equalizer / amplifiers, feedback cancellation, noise reduction, directional mics, etc, etc, which limits the amount of custom programming the HA manufacturer has to do.

I am also fully aware that the continual adjustment problems that hearing aid professionals use to justify their high prices could easily be unbundled from the price of the HA, which would illuminate the real, low manufacturing cost of a hearing aid.

Moreover, both Internet companies that I referenced above are able to adjust their products over the Internet and, in addition, provide software that the user can use to tweak his own units.

Yes, I realize that people with profound hearing loss require a higher degree of personal support. However, there is a huge population of people with mild to moderate loss that just don't need this level of costly attention.

[jchunter]

out of the 3, i think costco offers the best alternative, as the user is given the opportunity to get REM and counceling...I agree that REM is an excellent (the best?) technique for adjustment. However, Costco does not provide self-adjusting software and so the user is dependent on an audi, who might not be there when you need him/her.

IMO, the self adjustment software that AmericaHears provides may be the next best thing to REM because it permits the user to hear the audible test sounds thru the aids (in-situ) and make the appropriate adjustments.

Again, those with profound hearing problems may need special care...

[xbulder]

lets see...

Some advance instrument (phonak, siemens, oticon, GN )features datalearning or VC learning.. in that you train the volume control on the hearing aid so over time the instrument starts to learn your preferences.

An interesting product is the Unitron YUU, which allows you to control how much you want confort vs Clarity (while im not fully familiar with this prod.)
using a remote control. Over time, the instrument learns your preferences...

This offers you control and audi assitance...

[Tommy]

I recently got the DOT 20s from a local audi. As mentioned, these too were double the price compared to an online company. I wish I had gone online - so, it takes a little longer. It took me 3 visits to get them right. Since you can always return them, what have you got to lose.

[charlibob]

EnglishDispenser has made much about justifying the high price of hearing aids because of the follow up service provided by the audi. My audiologist charges $125 for programming after the initial free follow up period. Using that figure, even if an unlikely 10 visits were initially required, that only adds up to $1250, far less than the typical $3000 markup audis get.

[xbulder]

if you use probe measurement (speech mapping, REM)
it should not take more than 1 or 2 measurments
make sure you get this done

[ssellars]

I would think twice before using them - not too helpful when there are problems.

[ed121]

REM is not the end all procedure. All REM does is verify that the aids deliver the target SPL. But how reliable is the target when it is derived from pure tone threshold tests?

For mild and moderate losses (the vast majority of hoh) the typical audiogram is usually sufficiently accurate to properly fit.

For severe and profound losses, the standard pure tone threshold audiogram is likely to be inaccurate due to dead or degenerated regions on the cochlea. Ed

[ed121]

ssellars: My experience with America Hears has convinced me that they are as helpful as any good local audiologist. I doubt that you have had personal experience with them.

Note: I can no longer use America Hears aids as my hearing has degenerated over the years to the point that I need special programming to obtain satisfactory comprehension levels.

If you have a mild or moderate hearing loss, and are comfortable around computers and technology, I see no reason not to use Internet suppliers. The cost saving are on the order of 50%. The lowest prices are available from Ebay stores like, "bidbybid". This company has sold thousands of aids and has a 100% satisfaction rating. From personal experience I found them knowledgeable, honest, prompt, and they program to your audiogram. Ed