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Need for better Hearing Aid (HA) and Provider Selection Information
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Mar 6 12:05pm | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
@willows It's a shame that there is so much secrecy in the hearing aid market. It should be criminal. It would nice if we could go to a hearing aid manufacturers website and find a MSRP, Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. At least we could compare the markup by audiologists. However, it's not the only criteria to judge an audiologist by cost alone. We have to consider the service that we'll get for that money. Will we get free cleanings? If so, for how long? Will we get Real Ear Measurement when we are fitted? Will we get free batteries? I'm sure we could think of other 'perks'. @julieo4 mentioned the name brands, Phonak, Starkey, Widex, Resound, and Oticon. The hearing aid market has seen acquisitions. Signia is now owned by the same company as Widex. They also sell the Rexton brand. Also, most of the big manufacturers put other names on their products. For instance, under the Phonak brand, you'll find Hansaton and Unitron. Costco sells name brand products under the Kirkland name. Beltone is a brand under the Resound umbrella. Under Oticon, there's Philips and Bernafon. The best place that I've found to research hearing aids is http://www.hearingtracker.com.
Tony in Michigan
Replies to "@willows It's a shame that there is so much secrecy in the hearing aid market. It..."
FIRST - I have otosclerosis in one ear. I noticed big difference in hearing between ears and went to ENT. I had the surgery option but when they said there was a risk of cutting the face nerve, I opted for a hearing aid in one ear. The Audiologist with my ENT fitted me. SO it is important to be tested by someone COMPETENT to be sure about what is causing the hearing loss. If one has the insurance coverage for a screening hearing exam, go to the ENT to check hearing. They have audiologists on staff to do the exam and ENT can explain any unusual results. OTHERWISE look for the most qualified person to do the exam.
PS I eventually got the surgery and immediately recovered that lost hearing. I am glad I waited because I found a very experienced surgeon. That was important because not all ENT have ability to do this delicate procedure
SECOND In the beginning I was unhappy to have to wear hearing aid. But now everybody has some kind of ear bud. I am very happy with my BTE RIC hearing aids (for normal loss of hearing) as I am hands free when I talk on my cell phone (blue tooth) and can hear very well. I would want them even without hearing loss!!!!
Tony, Thank you so much for your response. My audiologist sells Widex and that is what I have. No other brands were proffered to me. I am satisfied with the hearing aspect of the Widex but I also need masking and the masking component is not great. In fact
an earlier version of the Widex had a much better masking component. I am wondering whether any of our readers can talk about masking aspects of their device.
Thank you Tony! It's confusing and it's constantly changing with acquisitions, etc. It's a shame that hearing aids are sold like consumer products. Not a lot different than buying a car or a washing machine! The consumer, who us way to often unaware, is the one who has to do research in advance.
Some providers are on commission, some are not.
People 'in the know' have been advocating for hearing aid insurance coverage for decades. It's no wonder that the insurance industry has been hesitant to provide it. Unfortunately.
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Hearing Tracker Forum is a wealth of information. Also Dr Cliff’s you tubes are great.