Your Hearing Aids Cost WHAT!?!?!?!? | DrCliff AuD VLOG 199

Your Hearing Aids Cost WHAT!?!?!?!?

Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix Arizona, discusses the cost of hearing aids and EVERYONE'S opinion on that price.

Applied Hearing Solutions
4045 E Union Hills Dr Suite #D128
Phoenix, AZ 85050
602-877-0000

[caneye]

Sadly hearing aid providers are lumped in with life insurance sales, used car lots and funeral service. They need to be upfront and justify their high costs with a complete price breakdown of services so consumers are aware what they are getting for their money in advance.

[speaknup]

All of which to say is that perhaps the best model for patients is to separate the purchase of hearing aids from the "product" that is after-care. As it is currently, pricing is attached to the hearing aids that you buy, but the after-care is what drives most of the price differential from one store to the next. So it's probably better to have the competition that's driving the price structure. THAT would be much more transparent and beneficial for everyone. (except perhaps the audiologists).

[charliejg]

I have two observations. First, I think that the price of any particular device should be the same regardless of where you're buying it. What should be variable is how much is charged for care because that is what varies from place to place. And, this should be know up front and itemized for the patient. The reason I believe this is because in my opinion hearing aides should be considered medically necessary devices for anyone diagnosed by an ENT with hearing loss. That leads me to my second observation. I believe that the real problem here is that the medical insurance industry needs to recognize hearing aides as medical devices when properly prescribed by an ENT. This is especially appropriate given the research linking hearing loss and tinnitus to onset of dementia.

[joelwisotsky]

Went to Cosco. Great price, great service, unlimited aftercare, great support, and free replacement of hearing aids if lost in first 2 years.

[fredh]

I understand that there are 2 components, the actual cost of the hearing aids and the costs of aftercare. If these costs are separated, consumers would be better able to make judgements.
As for hardware, the hearing aid manufacturers who deal only with audiologists are not being transparent to the end customer- the wearer. Both need to be compensated fairly but neither disclose their prices. They only give you a cost of the package. This is a form of price fixing.

[mademsoisellerhapsody]

For $9, 000 I better be getting a mani and a pedi and a glass of champagne as well. 🤣🤣🤣

[marymaryquitecontrary]

Good explanation of the providers' share of HA prices. I'd like to see/hear a breakdown of the manufacturer's side: an overview of the percentages for technology/R&D, cost of production, and marketing vs profit margins. I realize all of these vary, and actual numbers may be unavailable, but even a best guess might give users an idea of why these devices are as expensive as they are.

[benignomarko]

In my country, I was on summer vacation at the sea, I went with a friend to a cafe where some band performances are held. I ordered a beer, and so did she. we drank and then we get a bill in which the value is 20 times higher than the price of that beer compared to the price in the store.

When I saw the price, I was shocked, my blood pressure rose at that time. I paid for it, but since then I am careful when entering cafes and bars on the waterfront where such performances are held.

In these places, it is customary to pay for the performance of various bands along with the drink. I have nothing against it, but what bothers me the most is that it is often a change and then comes a shock.
That's why I try to see the price first, then I go sit down and ask for a drink.

What I would like when I enter is for the prices of the products to be clearly displayed so that I, as a customer, can be informed in advance before I ask for their services.

I think you need to do something similar. To put a text next to your the table in your audiology practice that in addition to the price of the hearing aids, the price of the service you provide is also charged

[kenvik-qt]

This never will happened until hearing aid businesses, especially those working from high overhead office chains drop their business-for-profit businesses and focus on providing medical help for their patients. Since it’s highly immoral to sell medical devices using their patient helplessness to make more money. Hearing aids industry should be further deregulated and humanized, eliminate the market monopoly of very few that dictate the higher HA prices…

[luvlife]

I have been to 2 hearings aid locations. Both of them asked for my insurance card before telling me how much the hearing aids cost. I was told I had great insurance and the hearing aids would cost over $10, 000. I now will ask for price before they get my insurance cards.Turns out my price was adjusted to the large amount of the cost.( Both of these quotes were from Southern California.)Both places gave 1 service call for 3 yrs and both places encouraged me to come back for new hearing aids after 3 yrs.I've had trouble with both hearing aids brands after 1 to 2 yrs. Both companies just keep returning them without fixing them.Guess I'll just keep looking for another location.

[joyceelmer]

Thank you Dr Cliff. I have been going to an Audiologist fo 6 years. Never understood the price of hearing aids or why I never had to pay for repeat check ups. All makes sense now. Thanks so much. ❤

[newengland]

I blame your industry for not deciding (standardizing?) on whether or not the hearing aid pricing includes a high level of care. I finally got around that in my industry by pricing our widgets at the relatively same low price as everyone else and pricing the service that everyone needed and wanted at a fair price. Now we don't have to tap dance our pricing. Let me take a stab at it. Hearing Aids: $2000, $3000, or $4000. Fitting, Programming and Best Practices Care: $3000-$5000.

[wfp]

The gouging practiced by some hearing aid sellers here in Malaysia prevented me from committing to buying for 3 years!?! One of the places I went to was obviously a scam artist and he got a well deserved 1 star google review with a full on in depth review of what a scam master the owner was. Finally I bought from the one place I felt actually cared for me as a person. They didn’t push the expensive units but took time to go through all of my options, understood covid had destroyed my business, and didn’t judge my income by my skin color. Well done.

[DollarChange]

I literally had to let go of my law enforcement profession because I couldn’t afford to get new hearing aids with appropriate Bluetooth technology. The government will provide hearing aids for certain people but not those serving and protecting their community. Sad times.

[phillipg]

Here in Australia I have been quoted up to $10, 000 ($6, 500 US). The hearing aids I am currently trialling are the Evolv AI 1600 that I have seen advertised online for around $2, 800. But from day one I could never undesrtand the absolute over the top cost of these things, bordering on insane!!! BTW not happy with the Evolv, after only 2 days the left side have failed - being returned today.

[wan]

Seiko used to sell their watches only through "approved jewelers." The profit margin was good. Then Seiko got greedy and began selling their watches in discount stores causing jewelers to match their prices.  Hearing aid providers will be forced to do likewise (and probably are...).

[SnuffySmith]

Dr. Cliff, I am unlucky and also lucky that my hearing problems were caused by my USMC service and now my hearing aids come from the V.A. Where I'm going with this is that that would not have happened without the help of a really good V.A. Rep. I am hoping some vets may see this and realize there is help for them but they may have to look for it.
Semper Fi.

[donymack]

I live in Ukraine and i've bought pair of the Starkey Evolv AI 2400 RIC 312 for slightly more than $2k(for pair), consultations are free, regular hearing tests after purchase are free. I have no idea where the business is hidden there, but its great to get pair of high-end HA for that price.

[georgeargento]

First Costco i called for an appointment had Feb 7th 2024 for first opening. Second Costco i called had Jan 14th 2024, available. I've been wearing HA's for 21 years... i fully intend to give Costco the benefit of the doubt in services and products. Looking Forward to trying their Phillips ha's.

[kevingrimbeek]

Hearing Aids, Spectacles and Dentistry are all about Huge Markups and Margins!