Truhearing vs. Signia

Posted by rdschicago @rdschicago, Aug 18 10:47am

My insurer, Blue Cross, recently contracted with Truhearing, and requires one to go through that company to avail hearing aid coverage with insurance. I saw an audiologist last week, and she told me the Truhearing labeled aids are manufactured by Signia, and are the same, and have all the bells and whistles, as Signia’s top of the line aids (level IX, I believe). Does anyone know if this statement is accurate? Thanks.

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ktee | @ktee | Aug 19 9:39am

Interesting that the Horizon IX is also touted as being made by and reportedly the exact same as a Signia model. So, what is the deal? Maybe we could interest someone like Consumer Reports to investigate and explain it to use. Big money is hearing aids obviously but are consumers getting the best deal?

daveshaw | @daveshaw | Aug 19 10:44am

That is correct. They are branded TruHearing but they are made by Signia. Currently you can get the IX 7 behind the ear model with telecoil.
I have Humana’s Gold Plus plan and I was able to get my pair for $1,800.
Hopefully your plan is as generous.

rdschicago | @rdschicago | Aug 19 11:04am

I am getting the bicros system and the cost was surprisingly low, only $250 out of pocket. If I wanted the Signia label, supposedly for the exact same aids and technology, the costs was still low, $500 out of pocket.

kaliope | @kaliope | Aug 20 12:03pm

In reply to @daveshaw "That is correct. They are branded TruHearing but they are made by Signia. Currently you can..." + (show)

So how are these in noisy environments, like restaurants?

rdschicago | @rdschicago | Aug 20 12:12pm

Don’t have the new aids yet. With bicros, where one ear is deaf and the other has a moderate loss, I don’t think aids will ever render it easy to hear in crowded places. At least I’ve always had trouble doing so. Hopefully these new aids with the latest technology will be an improvement. Trying to temper my expectations to avoid disappointment.

daveshaw | @daveshaw | Aug 20 12:47pm

In reply to @kaliope "So how are these in noisy environments, like restaurants?" + (show)

They are definitely better than my previous Signia AX platform Styletto hearing aids. I liked the Styletto style because I wear glasses and they are thinner. Unfortunately TruHearing is not offering the Styletto IX 7 hearing aids now so I went with what was available.
At $1,800 for the pair I figure when the Styletto’s become available I can get those or wait for the next breakthrough. My new hearing aids do have the telecoil feature. Unfortunately I have not been to a venue that I can use that feature at.
Good luck.