How Much Did You Pay For Your Hearing Aids?

[sortofcookiebiter]

Setting aside the issue of how much aids OUGHT to cost, I have been shocked by how hard it is to find out how much particular aids DO cost. It's worse than shopping for a mattress! And then I thought, 'We're the ones who know how much we've paid, or how much we've been quoted; we're the ones who could open up the black box of pricing.'

So tell me how much your aids cost, and I will collect the info together into a table.

Give me the following information:
1. Name and style of aid(s)
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s)
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote
4. Country and city/area of purchase

Is there anything I'm forgetting that would be useful?

[jdtruly]

May I suggest listing the vendor, as well?

My recent purchase:
two Phonak Audeo SMART IX
includes Mypilot or Icom, 45 day trial, 3 yr warranty and 3 yr loss insurance, local Audi service
Dallas TX
from Hearing Planet $5198
purchased November 2009

[sortofcookiebiter]

My fear about listing the vendor is that someone working for the vendor could pretend to be a consumer and lie about pricing to get customers. Not to be too suspicious or anything...

[EnglishDispenser]

A few of the 1500 UK dispensers publish their prices on the Web

Don't you have some suppliers doing the same in the US?

Multiply these prices by 2, 3, 4 or 5 to get the prices that the guy with the office on Main Street might charge .. once he/she has checked out your suit, your car, your address etc.

[JohnC]

I bought a pair of Starkey Desting 1200s in October 2008 near Boston for $5000.00

Supposedly, that is a savings of $1000.00 of his "regular" price.

[dcm]

1. Name and style of aid(s) - Phonak Naida IX UP $4940 for 2
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) - No
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote - June 2009
4. Country and city/area of purchase - Southeastern PA USA
5. Vendor - Audiologist in ENT office

iCom = $275
MyPilot = $400

[roberthamden]

Audi
Give me the following information:
1. Name and style - Starkey S Series 5 - RIC (receiver in canal)
2. Any discounts NO!
3. Aug/09 30 day Trial (extended because of issues) Cost $2600.00
4. US / Florida, Orlando

Costco
Give me the following information:
1. Name and style Bernafon Verite - RIC (receiver in canal)
2. Any discounts No (about 60% Discount from Audi for similar AID)
3. Nov/09 90 day Trial $2950.00 with remote and Blue Tooth Connectivity
4. US / Florida, Orlando


Who would I purchase from in the future Costco, and not because of price, the HIS was excellent and outperformed the Audi 10 fold.

Hope this helps.

[Gale]

Locally they wanted about $2700 each for similar aids and did not supply the adjusting hardware and software. In store natually is going to cost more and the multi-level marketing cost more than direct pricing. Found the AH staff to be more professional than local dealers/doctors which was a nice plus.

Remember hear aids are about hearing better and not finding the cheapest price only. Ones that work best for you are the best deal. :)

[KarenK]

Audi
Give me the following information:
1. Name and style - Audeo Yes V
2. Any discounts $200 for the pair
3. Nov/09; 45 day Trial (extended because of issues) Cost $4300
4. US / western New York

Trial ends tomorrow; I think I will keep them. Loss is mild to moderate, BUT they help in large groups, I can hear the birds again [and squeaky brakes, doors, etc]; TV is better; and above all tinnitus is not so annoying.

[Roger3125]

Give me the following information:
1. Name and style of aid(s) Starkey S series 5 (basic model)
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) Audi said so but one never knows
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote Will pick up this week
4. Country and city/area of purchase So California, US

Now two things really bother me. I know one brand of HA will work better than another for individuals so wouldn't it be nice if we were allowed to try two so we could compare. All the audiologist I've met will push that one brand that they work with gthe closest. WHY? Because they receive discounts.

Go into any audi store or office and you'll see charts and signs from one brand. Dollar to donuts they will tell you a hundred ways why this particular manufacturer is superior for "your kind" of hearing loss.

The other is the 30-days...THATS NOT ENOUGH. it takes at least a month for your brain to catch up to the new sounds. In my 12 years wxperience with HAs I've never really been comfortable in less tiem than 90 days minimum.

[nbb]

Give me the following information:
1. Name and style of aid(s): Starkey S Series 11's
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s): ?
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote: $5800, paid 12/30/09
4. Country and city/area of purchase: small city on the Central Coast of California

I have a 30-day trial period as required by California law. I received the aids of 12/31/09 and will return for my first adjustment on 1/7/09. The dispenser says that his labor will be free for adjustments and repairs for the life of the aids, but I will have to pay for any necessary parts not covered by the manufacturer's warranty, which lasts one? year (some conflict--the web site says 2 years, but the written warranty I received says one year). Receivers cost $75 for parts. We'll see how long one lasts.

[NoobOrlando]

1. Name and style of aid(s) - Resound Live 9 BTE/CRT
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) - HearPO discount plan - $2395 including local audi service, 3 year warranty with replacement, 60 day trial/no restocking fee
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote - 1/2/2010
4. Country and city/area of purchase - Orlando, FL USA
5. Dispenser - Lyrus

[sortofcookiebiter]

When you give me your info, please let me know if the price is for one aid or for two.

[nbb]

Give me the following information:
1. Name and style of aid(s): Starkey S Series, 11's RIC
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s): $5800 for two, no stated discount
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote: 12/09
4. Country and city/area of purchase: USA, Central Coast of California

I got the aids 4 days ago. I'm happy so far, except for a bit too much wind noise. When I go back for my first followup visit, I'll raise that issue. The aids do have specific provision for reducing wind noise.

[Trond]

1. Name and style of aid(s) - Siemens Rexton Cobalt 12 (RIC open fit)
These are essentially Rexton branded versions of Siemens Pure 500
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) - Paid $999 each, plus $250 for the Bluetooth control and communicator
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote - December, 2009
4. Country and city/area of purchase - Internet purchase (supplier resides in New York)
5. Vendor - internet

The HA's work great. The supplier programmed the aids to my audiogram. Advantage: Great price. Disadvantage: No service after sale, and will need to establish a relationship with a local audiologist for follow up service.

[rkd]

1. Name and style of aid(s) - Rexton Cobalt 16 (RIC open fit)
These are essentially Rexton branded versions of Siemens Pure 700
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) - Paid $1,550 each, plus $399 for the Bluetooth control and communicator
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote - January 2010.
Country and city/area of purchase - Canada
5. Vendor - Costco

So far very pleased with result- major improvement over my 6 year old CIC's - which I had paid over $5,000 - again at Costco.

The fitter - spent almost 2 hours doing what I believe is a REM(?) which tests the aids against their target range- in the ear. Bluetooth works ok except the Tek must be very close to aids or you get static.

[John59]

Give me the following information:
1. Name and style of aid(s)...... Siemans Nitro 700 SP BTE ...... One
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) paid $1500 for the Aid Plus $350 for TEK-Connect system
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote Janaury 15 2010
4. Country and city/area of purchase... USA E-bay

[RoseRodent]

The other is the 30-days...THATS NOT ENOUGH. it takes at least a month for your brain to catch up to the new sounds. In my 12 years wxperience with HAs I've never really been comfortable in less tiem than 90 days minimum.

I have been offered an HOUR's trial period before!

Phonak Valeo 23AZ ITE
£1,800 GBP with "two for the price of one" special offer, 2003
NO trial period, I'd tried a Perseo for about 30 minutes and couldn't afford it so we went for the Valeo which is "basically the same but with manual program buttons"
Aftercare ... dodgy


Out of interest, is the iCom and Tek the same (i.e. same bands and frequencies) in the US as it is in the UK? These prices are fantastic! Some of them I guess are special offer "buy the aids and we'll throw in the remote for a couple of hundred extra" but the iCom is listed for £250 in GBP! At today's mid-market that comes out over $400. These prices more like $275 sound great, but are they the same product?

[BDinNW]

1. Name and style of aid(s): Phonak Exelia Art Petite (ITC/CIC)
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s): US$6,290 for the pair. No discount to me but insurance paid 90%. Comes with 3 years warranty+service+battery+loss/damage coverage+adjustment.
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote: December 2009 w/ 75 days trial.
4. Country and city/area of purchase: North west USA

[texas_flyfisher]

1. Oticon Dual Connect XW BTE (2) and Streamer
2. Any discounts that applied to the aid(s) $6375 25% off list
3. Month/year of purchase or trial/quote 01/2010
4. Country and city/area of purchase US, Austin TX
5. Dispenser: Austin Diagnostic Center

30 day trial per Texas law

2 year warranty incl parts and labor, 1 yr. loss

FedEx Health Insurance paid $5000, thanks Fred!

[ed121]

This highly varible pricing and the lack of posting of prices,and the general lack of open price competition for standard hardware and a modicum of technical service, is our fault.

Hiding under the cloak of providing a complicated medical service, we allowed practioners to effectively promolgate laws restricting open competition and killing innovation of low priced over the counter retail sale of self programming hearing aids for the majority of hard of hearing.....those with simple mild hearing loss.

We the users have quietly let our elective representatives be swayed by an organized lobby seeking to nail down the status quo.

Write your state representatives. IMO Ed

[dondeziner]

Phonak Smart III
No discounts $2800 from ENT office
2/10/10
Huntersville, NC

Other quoted prices :
Audeo Yes, Smart, Mini V - $4000
Audeo Exelia Art, Audeo Yes IX, Smart IX AND Mini IX, Oticon Dual XW - $5000 for any one pair.

[ChrisM]

How negotiable have people found their audi's to be in prices? The initial verbal quote I received for Dual XWs was nearly $7K including Streamer, etc. I don't know if any discounts were reserved until we got closer to an actual purchase (I hope that's the case). Seeing the prices people listed on this thread, prices seem to be quite variable. I live in a high-cost suburb of DC so perhaps that has something to do with it.

[texas_flyfisher]

How negotiable have people found their audi's to be in prices? The initial verbal quote I received for Dual XWs was nearly $7K including Streamer, etc. I don't know if any discounts were reserved until we got closer to an actual purchase (I hope that's the case). Seeing the prices people listed on this thread, prices seem to be quite variable. I live in a high-cost suburb of DC so perhaps that has something to do with it.

The List Price for the XW's and the Streamer is $8500.00. I paid $6375.00 two weeks ago. I did not buy the telephone or TV adapter, don't need them.

[inmate23]

Ok I brought my aids second hand $2000 usd (naidia jrs with mxi11s)

New smartlink $995AUD from online store

New mylink $675AUD from online store

Was over charged for postage on all 3 items but hey

[EnglishDispenser]

How negotiable have people found their audi's to be in prices?

* Very, if they are having a bad week ... or if you are happy to buy an ex-demo product ... or if you bring a beacon of sunshine into their day.

* Not all all ... if you are rude, grasping, abusive.

In other words, dispensers are human like everyone else.

[pvc]

The List Price for the XW's and the Streamer is $8500.00. I paid $6375.00 two weeks ago. I did not buy the telephone or TV adapter, don't need them.
I paid $2200 for the Oticon Epoq XW with Streamer (used). We don't use the Streamer very much, so I may put that up for sale on Ebay.

[Joe Duffer]

Considering the Starkey S (Series 9) for $4400

Does this price seem about right?

[roberthamden]

Considering the Starkey S (Series 9) for $4400

Does this price seem about right?


That price seems high, have you shopped around, Costco is generally much cheaper, they do not carry Starkey, but other brands may fit your needs.

[xbulder]

I paid $2200 for the Oticon Epoq XW with Streamer (used). We don't use the Streamer very much, so I may put that up for sale on Ebay.


2200 is a very good price

[Joe Duffer]

That price seems high, have you shopped around, Costco is generally much cheaper, they do not carry Starkey, but other brands may fit your needs.

What Costco models would recommend?

Does Costco have BlueTooth models as well?

I have also tried out the Oticon W and XW and liked the BlueTooth for hands-free cell phone use and for watching TV.

Do you know of anything new and profoundly better, that’s set to be released in the near future?

Thanks,

[roberthamden]

What Costco models would recommend?

Does Costco have BlueTooth models as well?

I have also tried out the Oticon W and XW and liked the BlueTooth for hands-free cell phone use and for watching TV.

Do you know of anything new and profoundly better, that’s set to be released in the near future?

Thanks,

They carry Bernafon, Rexton and Interton there may be more. Yes the Bernafon Verite with Sound Gate (my Choice with BT and TV adapter 2950.00) and the Rexton with TEK are both BT capable devices.

It is worth the trip...

[xbulder]

They carry Bernafon, Rexton and Interton there may be more. Yes the Bernafon Verite with Sound Gate (my Choice with BT and TV adapter 2950.00) and the Rexton with TEK are both BT capable devices.

It is worth the trip...

i would stick to bernafon and rexton. Interton is not really good quality

[quickdraw]

I'm picking up a pair of Phonak Smart IXs tomorrow - $4750 with no options.
Audi is 45 minute drive unfortunately, but the local dispenser (15 min) wants $6000 for the same. So I'll drive.

[dondeziner]

I have a pair of Phonak Audio Smart IIIs and they are perfect! I have them set up to run one program automatic and the other for voices only with slightly elevated volume. The original cost was $2800 and I ended up paying $380.00 after insurance. I also received 3 months worth of batteries and unlimited filters.

[pvc]

I just purchased a used pair of Oticon Epow XW RITEs with new receivers of my size for $1000. I couldn't resist the price.

I will compare the Epoq XW RITEs to my GN ReSound Live9 BTEs with slim tubes. If the results of the comparison are as I am expecting then I will likely be selling the latter pair soon.

[alexjems41]

My first hearing Aid was Resound Azure which cost me $3000.00 and that also without any discount.I think $3000 is much more for me but this HA was the best so decided to take it.

[pvc]

I just received and programmed my pair of Oticon Epoq XW RITEs, paid $1000.

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/pvc_photos/doe1.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/pvc_photos/doe2.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/pvc_photos/doe3.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/pvc_photos/doe4.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww19/pvc_photos/doe5.jpg

[COLLEENS]

Phonak Audeo III BTE, one pair, $2390 US. $245 for ICom (includes a $150 discount).
Hearing Center USA, March 2010, 45 day trial, coming this week via UPS.

[Liz_in_PA]

I'm picking up a pair of Phonak Smart IXs tomorrow - $4750 with no options.
Audi is 45 minute drive unfortunately, but the local dispenser (15 min) wants $6000 for the same. So I'll drive.


I got my Smart IXs last week for $4760, also without toys. Also using the Audi 45 min away because the local wants $5400. As she lives 45 minutes away (in the next big city) I don't really think she's keeping the money in my small town.

The other nice thing about the Audi I chose is their practice only has 4 price points. The premium models, Audeo IX, Oticon XW and top Unitron model are all $2380 ea. They decided to just simplify things. The loss policy is that they show you the invoice and you pay that for the one time replacement. My daughter's oticon mini 5 was $2200 locally with a one time loss replacement of $700.

[Rand]

Priced at $2395 each. This is the same price I got from an audiologist for the Oticon Dual W.

[xbulder]

Priced at $2395 each. This is the same price I got from an audiologist for the Oticon Dual W.

good price

[stream2525]

Priced at $2395 each. This is the same price I got from an audiologist for the Oticon Dual W.

Why there is so much difference between the Epoc and Dual?

:confused:

[stream2525]

I have a pair of Phonak Audio Smart IIIs and they are perfect! I have them set up to run one program automatic and the other for voices only with slightly elevated volume. The original cost was $2800 and I ended up paying $380.00 after insurance. I also received 3 months worth of batteries and unlimited filters.


Does this price include any of the accessories like the Icom ?

[mamajoy]

Unitron Passport BTEs, $5500 for the pair. That price includes UDirect (iCom), Smart Control (remote), batteries for the life of the aids, and annual hearing screens for as long as I wear these.