Guidelines to Buying Hearing Aids
For people new to hearing aids, there are professional guidelines available from hearing professional organizations and the federal government.- The American Academy of Audiology offers a consumer guide, "Selecting Hearing Aids."
- Hearing Planet offers a downloadable buyer's guide that includes comparison charts for models.
- American Hearing Aid Associates has a list of seven factors for consumers to consider when purchasing hearing aids.
Buying Hearing Aids Online
There is an alternative (not endorsed by your guide) to buying hearing aids directly through a hearing instrument provider or audiologist: buying online at your own risk. Doing so means that you have to sign a waiver of a medical evaluation, which is required by law before you can buy a hearing aid; the FTC strongly recommends getting a medical evaluation prior to buying a hearing aid. In addition, the American Speech Language Hearing Association cautions consumers that they should not buy hearing aids by mail order or online because doing so may mean bypassing the audiological evaluation process, not allowing the consumer to get certain services needed in order to maximize the benefit from the hearing aid.Direct Hearing Aid Retailers on the Web
Quite a few companies are selling hearing aids direct on the web, claiming to offer discounted prices. Some even post the prices online. Here are a few (this does not constitute endorsement). Some have networks of service providers to assist with the fitting process.
- AmericaHears.com
- Hearingaidswholesale.com
- Heareasy.com
A search of Ebay.com found many hearing aids being sold by auction. At least one was sold direct by the manufacturer. There were also devices that resembled hearing aids, but were not true hearing aids.
An About visitor described his experience with buying hearing aids on Ebay, posted on the forum.
- I’m 53, and finally admit that I need a hearing aid. I’ve read several of your articles, and have found them to be quite useful for a novice such as I am.
There is one thing, though, that disturbs me a little: you say that one of the main reasons people who need HAs don’t get them, is that they cost too much.
Though there is no substitute for a good audiologist or doctor, it still seems as though a less-than-perfect HA may still be better than none at all. To that end, I just bought an ITE device on eBay, for $22, including shipping and six batteries. Also for sale this weekend are a pair of BTE aids ($29.00, including shipping), and even a Siemens programmable, digital ITE unit, that the seller says she will program, if you provide the necessary report. The current bid is $10.49.
All I’m saying is that, while the “perfect” HA may cost a thousand dollars or more, basic electronic help for the hard-of-hearing is not expensive.
I realize that there are dangers associated with the uninitiated self-diagnosing, and with untrained people sticking powerful devices into their ears. I’m assuming perhaps a level of common sense that is above many; but – hey, I already can’t hear, and I can’t afford to "do it right," and I’ll start at the lowest possible setting. If that seems uncomfortable, I’ll get a different unit.
I know the professionals will scream about the uninitiated having the right to stick things in their ears, but I can’t imagine that an adult, using a touch of common sense, could hurt his ear worse than a teenager can with his MP3 player and two earpieces.
Would You Buy Hearing Aids Online or Direct?
I asked a cyberfriend, Gary Talkofsky, NTID '83, if he would consider buying his hearing aids online or through an internet auction. Gary's response: "If I knew what models I want. I brought my own aids wholesale once." Regarding an internet auction, he said, "If I tried a model out in advance why not?"Comments from About Visitors
A major problem in the obtaining and use of hearing aids is the conduct of those who sell them.The testing, the fitting/adjusting is poorly done. And, there is no accountability whatsoever by the many who do a poor job in this fitting process. Licensing of these people serves little good.
