Consumer Reports has compiled a list of the best hearing aid brands and retailers in 2024, including OTC (Over-the-Counter) hearing aids, prescription hearing aids, and other popular styles. The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is an affordable OTC receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid that is rated as the best overall in its Best Hearing Aids rating. This RITE hearing aid uses two hearing processors to provide augmented sound, with one processor focusing on sounds like conversations.
OTC hearing aids are a convenient and more affordable option than traditional prescription hearing aids. However, it is important to see a hearing professional before using an RITE hearing aid. RITE hearing aids are most effective for people with moderate to severe hearing loss. If your hearing loss is mild, you may not need a device that sits deep in the ear canal like the RITE.
The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is the best hearing aid overall due to its battery life of 35-40 hours. Some hearing aid manufacturers and hearing accessories have introduced rechargeable RITE hearing aids due to popular demand. RITE hearing aids are smaller than standard BTE hearing aids, making them a good option for those seeking a less expensive solution.
In conclusion, while OTC hearing aids are a convenient and affordable option, they should be considered when choosing the right hearing aid for your needs. It is essential to consider the level of hearing loss and the type of hearing aid being used, as well as the manufacturer’s reputation and customer service team.
📹 Bad OTC vs. Good OTC Hearing Aids
Bad OTC vs. Good OTC Hearing Aids. Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix Arizona, …
What is the average cost of a single hearing aid?
The average cost of one hearing aid can range from $1, 000 to $3, 500, with a pair of hearing aids costing about $5. 57 per day over a four-year period. Oticon Real™ 1 miniRITE-R, Oticon Real™ 2 miniRITE-R, and Oticon Real™ 3 miniRITE-R are some of the models available. Prices are calculated based on a 3-year period and are subject to change. HearingLife’s hearing aids cost between $1, 000 and $3, 500 per device, or $2, 000 – $7, 000 per pair.
These prices are influenced by factors such as high-tech materials, research and development, fitting by a licensed professional, ongoing adjustments, and replacements. Purchasing hearing aids ensures access to over 100 years of technological advancements and the provider’s experience.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive hearing aids?
Hearing aids with higher price points often include advanced features such as directional microphones, sudden noise protection, and superior noise filters. Conversely, more economical options may exhibit deficiencies in these areas, potentially leading to adverse effects on hearing.
What is the difference between BTE and Rite hearing aids?
RITE hearing aids are similar to BTEs but with a smaller, sleeker speaker inside the ear canal. They are open-fit, allowing sound to flow naturally. RITEs come in various colors to match skin tone or hair color, and are also available in fun colors for children. Custom hearing aids are designed to meet unique hearing needs, including invisible-in-the-canal (IIC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. IIC devices are nearly undetectable and suitable for mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss.
CIC aids are slightly larger and come in various colors to match a wearer’s skin tone or hair color. ITE aids partially or fully fill the outer ear and fit securely, accommodating more powerful features and making them easier to handle. Both types of hearing aids are suitable for mild-to-severe hearing loss.
How good will over the counter hearing aids be?
OTC hearing aids are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, not children or those with severe hearing loss. The FDA has established regulations for manufacturers to ensure the safety and effectiveness of OTC devices. These regulations include setting standards for package labels to help buyers understand OTC hearing aids and who might benefit from them, as well as warnings and other information to be aware of before buying or using the aid. Severe hearing loss may limit the amplifying power of OTC hearing aids.
Do cheap hearing aids really work?
Cheap hearing aids are not as effective as those purchased from an experienced healthcare professional. They often cannot separate voices from background noise or modulate volume well, making them uncomfortable. Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are sometimes a good way to ease into wearing hearing aids and are significantly less expensive. To determine if a hearing amplifier is right for you, consider factors such as being a first-time wearer, cost being a factor, prioritizing invisibility, and being comfortable wearing the aid while talking on the phone. It’s also important to be aware that the device may not fit your unique hearing needs or require servicing.
What is the #1 hearing aid?
The Jabra Enhance is the top choice for the best hearing aid due to its high audio quality rating. The team spent over 7, 500 hours researching and testing dozens of hearing aids, including 27 popular and highly rated devices. They also conducted mystery shopping, testing the set-up and adjustment process, comfort, sound quality, and ease of use. They also tested charging and battery replacement, routine maintenance, and applicable apps. Interviews with 26 people who wear hearing aids and consulted with 17 experts on key factors for hearing aids were conducted.
The Jabra Enhance is the best choice due to its exceptional audio quality and affordability. The average cost of OTC hearing aids ranges between $500 and almost $3, 000. Prescription hearing aids cost between $2, 300 and $5, 450 per pair. The team consulted with hearing professionals and performed hands-on testing to inform their recommendations.
The average person in the United States waits about 10 years to seek help after learning they have hearing loss. Hearing loss has been linked to higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease, social isolation, and depression. Hearing aids can help, and the affordable and discreet options available today make the decision to wear them easier.
What is the disadvantage of a BTE hearing aid?
When choosing hearing aids, it is crucial to consider the disadvantages and potential benefits. BTE hearing aids, which sit outside the ear, are more noticeable and may not be suitable for those with higher levels of hearing loss. They generally have less power than ITE devices and offer less amplification. BTE hearing aids may not recreate the sound quality found with in-ear or canal devices. Wind noise is more common in outdoor or open spaces, and options with wind reduction features may increase the price.
Choosing a hearing aid is not a lightly-doing decision, as no device is perfect for every user. Some devices may fit better than others, and it is wise to consult an audiologist who understands your circumstances when making a decision. The pros and cons of each hearing aid can help you make an informed decision, but it is essential to consult with an audiologist to ensure the best fit for your needs.
What are the advantages of Rite hearing aids?
The RITE hearing aid is an open-fit device that fits a wide range of hearing losses and offers a more natural sound experience. Its smaller, more hidden BTE allows sound to enter the ear naturally, improving voice quality. It also allows for instant fitting, reduces feedback, and offers flexible fitting options like speaker units and domes. The RITE hearing aid is more open to natural sound, allowing sound to enter and exit the ear canal naturally, while amplifying the necessary sounds. Consult a hearing care specialist to determine if this option is right for you.
How much should you pay for a good hearing aid?
Hearing aids typically cost between $2, 000-$4, 000, with prices ranging from $1, 000 to over $4, 000 per device. OTC hearing aids are less suitable for everyone and have a lower price point. HearingLife provides a table detailing Oticon’s daily and monthly hearing aid prices by feature level. Basic hearing aids are less expensive but have fewer features and customizable tools, while premium hearing aids often have deep learning capabilities.
Which hearing aid is better, behind the ear or in the ear?
In-canal hearing aids may seem like the right choice for everyone due to their discreteness, but behind-the-ear hearing aids offer a wider range of hearing amplification, flexibility, and more options for better hearing in noise, connecting to smartphones, and streaming sound from televisions. Doctors of Audiology will suggest options based on your diagnosed hearing loss, lifestyle, and technology requirements.
The Doctors of Audiology at NYHD Institute for Hearing and Balance in New York offer complete pediatric and adult hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings and care. They emphasize that hearing aids are not just a “put it on and forget it” device; they require expert care, adjustment time, and follow-up appointments to ensure optimal device performance.
How not to get ripped off buying hearing aids?
When purchasing a hearing aid online, it is essential to read reviews from both the site and the associated clinic. Online reviews are easy to access, but it is crucial to research the reputable Audiology service and the presence of an Audiologist or other Hearing Specialist. It is essential to choose an Australian company with nearby hearing care centers and the latest hearing devices and technology. Manufacturers like Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Starkey, and Widex are well-known and reputable.
Compare prices, styles, and features between sites, considering factors like speech clarity, connectivity with Bluetooth and smartphones, directional microphones, and rechargeable options. By doing so, you can make an informed decision on your hearing aid options before making a purchase.
📹 5 BIGGEST Hearing Aid Scams
5 BIGGEST Hearing Aid Scams and you’re the Target. Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in …
This was a shameful plug for Sony products. Sony paid for his company’s use of their products and they ethically should not have been included in this article. Instead its just an advertisement for Sony OTC hearing aids. What other higher quality companies? NONE are named — except Sony. Disappointing at best.
I was drawn to this article because I love to research products before spending my money. I am still evaluating the information. Now one thing to keep in mind is that many speakers and presenters race through the presentation as if there is a limited time for presentation. Slowing down your speech with appropriate pauses is a great way to effectively communicate, especially when doing a article for the hearing challenged people. Please consider this and thank you for the good information.
I bought the Sony CRE-C10 hearing aids when my current (pretty old) hearing aids were no longer working too well. The Sony setup process was very easy. I’ve had them for about a month now and they’re great. Better than my old prescription hearing aids, and about 1/3 the cost of my old ones. I’m really glad I went with them. I also like having in-ear hearing aids rather than the ones that sit behind the ear as my glasses were always causing them to make noise.
I just returned the Sony E10 hearing aids that you rated as best. Sadly, they were way too big to fit into my ear canal even with the smallest fitting on them. I never got to try them out as a result. The only hearing aids I have tried that actually fit into my ears is the behind the ear Widex Sheer using an extra small fitting. My local audiologist that carries them wants $6500 for them, not the $4700 that an audiologist who is 75 miles away lists them. Both prices are WITH service after the sale and real-ear measurements. Both prices are a financial hardship for me so I guess that I must suffer the decline into deafness and dementia that you have talked about. I was a science, math, and Latin teacher to middle school and high school students. These subjects are now in demand but not being able to hear voices in the students range makes it impossible to serve in any way. I also was a scientific illustrator and could teach drawing skills. I used a professional computer graphics program to do some of my illustrations, as well. I can’t do that anymore because my eyesight is not good enough anymore. Our social system is going to fail if you people keep throwing away talent and wisdom in your pursuit of money. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. The entire medical system in this country sucks. Greed is paramount rather than patient welfare. At my age, I have watched many friends and relatives being “treated” (read fleeced) and sent to an earlier and more miserable death than if they had done nothing at all, which I have also witnessed.
This looks like a good product but this was not very objective. It is nothing more than advertisement for Sony. Considering that Sony sponsored this article and it was only Sony’s product against 2 cheap units just shows us that even though this may be a good product it is nothing more that a commercial for Sony’s hearing aids. Next time ditch the product sponsorship and have the article review several different units to be takes seriously.
Hello Dr. Cliff. I took the plunge and bought my first hearing aids at a good discount. They are the Jabra Enhance Select. With $1600 I have 100 days to return and 3 years of online audiology support. The price and service plan are great for a beginner but I’m really not sure if I’m getting the best product for my hearing loss. How does the quality of these hearing aids compare to a higher end product such as the Oticon More or Real, etc? Do you have thoughts on that? Thank you.
I have been using some $200 in the ear hearing “amplifiers” called Audien Atom Pros. They are still visible like the cheap OTC hearing aids in your article. I have been impressed with how good the sound is. I was known for needing things repeated and sometimes still did not hear what was said, and I could not hear higher sounds. Now I can. There are some distortions with the Atom Pros, but they have helped me out alot. (I tried the company’s newer Atom 2 series and was not impressed at all). I have been considering the SONY CREs, but my question is…will I notice a big difference?
Up until now, you’ve always done your articles without sponsorship. What changed? I feel like you’re really pushing the Sony’s, as they sponsored this article. Every review out there on OTC’s rates the Jabra Enhance as the best OTC (even the National Council on Aging) The Sony’s also do not include any telehealth support, unlike Jabra.
The fact that this article is sponsored by Sony tells us all we need to know. If you’re a dispensing audiologist, then you should be familiar with proper insertion of CIC hearing aids. The right ear demonstration of the inserted devise was extremely fake. Whilst the left (Sony) was executed flawlessly. Why be misleading? There are alot of good products out there that will provide the needed audiological benefit without being “name brand”. There are more people on low budget, fixed incomes than there are mid to upper retirement incomes. So, just keep it real.
Don’t buy the RCA in ear canal hearing aids, they are crap. I ordered a pair & received them today, 5/18/24, and all I can do with the all-in-one button is turn it on & off. I can’t adjust the volume or change between the 4 pre-set functions. To make matters worse, I think they sent me a set that had been returned because the return address on the package was for the return center.
I bought the MDHearing volt max, but I returned them after a few days, I decided the behind the ear style just doesnt work for me- I wore one of the pair to work as a test and before lunch time it fell out onto the concrete floor TWICE, other than the little wire/tube snaking over and into the canal, there’s nothing to hold the body in place, and it fell off so easy. So I did an RMA and asked them to ship me their in the ear Neo model which I feel should work out better for me and a lot less likely to just fall off
Hey Dr. Cliff – long time subscriber and I need your help! I’m 52 and have had slyly mild hearing loss the past 4 years. I purchased Eargo’s top of the line devices in 12/21 and realized they were garbage and quickly returns them…I then found your article about AirPods Pro and the Mimi app and have been using them since. I just had a proper audiologist test at Kaiser….and it was found that I’m now mild to severe in one ear….but they don’t dispense hearing aids in CA for some reason…they referred me to HearUSA, and even getting an appointment with them is a nightmare, not impressed. How do I go about getting hearing aids these days? Can you make any recommendations? I’ve heard that Costco has both the product and service, but I’m hesitant. Thanks in advance
I’ve gone from Phonak to Siemens to Eargo Neo to Audien Atom Pro, and recently I tried the Audien Atom Pro 2. The Audien Atom Pros are a bit big for my ears, and they are not as good as Eargos, but the difference isn’t profound enough for the price difference. The new and allegedly improved Atom Pro 2 were returned in a few days. They a bit smaller in the canal, (Audien claims 28% smaller), but the outside seems very little different from the Atom Pros. I was not impressed with the sound and noticed only slight improvement when they actually worked. They whistled like crazy regardless of which ear piece I applied (the rubber things). Worse than that, they held a charge for no more than 20 minutes! I realize I probably got a faulty charger. Audien must be so used to returns that they didn’t even want to know what was wrong. I tried explaining and I got cut off several times and told to just return them. I’m sticking with the Atom Pros.
Great information! Dr. Cliff, I have moderate to severe hearing loss and currently have Costco Signature 9 RIC hearing aids. The problem I have is that I cannot wear those devices to bed. I would like a very basic pair of in-the-ear aids so that I can hear my alarm clock or smoke alarm during the night. Can you steer me toward an inexpensive OTC aid that would meet your minimum requirements for quality (ie, domes not getting stuck in my ears, etc.)?
Hi Cliff this was a great article! Since I’ve followed your website for a couple of years, I’m a three-decade hearing aid user. My last three sets have been RIC’s, and my current pair is a PHONAK Paradise 50. I’ve recently taken a part-time job at Bass Pros Shops in the marine department selling boats and ATVs. (hey retirement is over-rated). The problem has arisen because I need to wear a communications device, an in-house radio, and the earpiece fits over one ear. Can I buy one SONY, place it in my right ear, and still leave my RIC in my left ear? I also have to use the phone and with the microphones on top of the RIC’s that’ not really possible. Appreciate your advice and comments. Thanks
You made a comment that prescribed hearing aids with Audiological care cost, on average, $4,700 a pair. True. But then you say the RANGE for OTC devices is between $700 and $3,000. To be fair, you should specify that the RANGE for prescribed aids is $1,600 to 8,000 a pair, and includes the cost of follow-up care. Not specifying this can lead consumers to believe that prescribed aids always cost more than OTCs, which isn’t true. And, really, a lot of what they’re paying for with prescribed aids is for the follow-up care, not just the product. If they can find an audiologist who offers unbundled care, then the price range for prescribed aids drops to maybe $1,000 to $4,500 a pair. And wouldn’t you say that ANY prescribed and professional fit aid, even entry-level products, works better than almost every OTC?
I’m beginning to believe the whole business model of selling hearing aids is a scam. Then again I think most things in the USA medical industry are a scam/joke, but that’s another story. I took my dad to 3 different audiologist, each sold different hearing aids. He wanted to go to all three before purchasing hearing aids. One to compare prices and two to see what they offered. He has moderate hearing loss in the high frequencies. Low and mid are ok. He also has tinnitus. All three confirmed this during the initial hearing test. The whole experience was annoying. After the hearing test, none of the audiologist asked what is your budget. None of them mentioned what models they sold. They’d put one on the table and that was it. I’m sure with his hearing loss any of the lower tier hearing aids would probably work. I even asked about the other brands/models they sold. Nope, this is the one you want or they only sold one brand/kind. One didn’t even offer for him to try out a hearing aid. After the hearing test the audiologist said it would be $2500 for a pair. We said that’s too much. They said ok. End of conversation. Goodbye. The prices offered varied from $2400 to $6000 for a pair. We made the mistake of telling one how much one of the others was asking. Magically the price at this office was just $100 less than the competition. When we got up and said we’d think about it or we couldn’t afford that. None of them tried to sell us a lower tier or cheaper brand hearing aids. They’d only mentioned financing or CareCredit.
I think the whole hearing aid industry is a scam. $2000 to $3000 for hearing aids. I could never afford that. I guess I just have to stay deaf. Insurance doesn’t pay for any of the costs. The reason why people buy these cheap hearing aids is because some of us can’t afford the $2000, $3000 price tag.
As a Senior, retired business professional. I have been studying the hearing aid market to get my first pair of hearing aids. I am shocked at the deception, price gouging and just plain dishonesty in some of the providers. The same hearing aid may sell from $1100.00 to $3800.00 depending upon who sells it. This seems to be the last frontier of the con man.
Retired audiologist here. Sadly, Cliff is right. Audiology is another profession where we designate ourselves “Priests of the Temple.” We’re not. We’re servants – just like any other public professionals who understands what they’re really trying to do. Every profession has its used car salesmen: doctors, lawyers, accountants and us. Not offering excuses, but what I love about Cliff’s articles is that he gives you cogent questions to ask – along with answers to look out for. Dr. Cliff, you are a service to the profession and the hearing impaired community. God speed.
Unfortunately most of these scams occur within the established industry, not just shady online retailers. Oticon was fined millions in Australia for misleading advertising. A few years ago Phonak ran “advertorials” disguised as regular articles in my local newspaper talking about how their new chip “elminates” unwanted noise – a truly false and annoying claim I had to walk back in my clinic. Not to mention how thin the quality evidence is for most advanced hearing aid features.
I’ve learned so much from your vlog. Thank you!!! One would think that since the technology for bluetooth earbuds has come so far, the same would be true for hearing aids. I love my earbuds. Clear, great sound, great connectivity to my phone, tv, tablets, ipad, lalptops, great noise cancellation, and comapred to hearing aids, great prices, etc.
Lifelong hearing aid wearer here. I absolutely love my audiologist. I’ve had many over the years and she is by far the best. I’m also very lucky that I have the rare insurance that not only covers the cost of the hearing aids every 5 yrs, but also the ear molds (severe loss in left ear & moderate to severe in right) & up to 80 batteries a year. . She does the whole in office program adjustment, never lets me leave until I’m satisfied with them & does follow ups in case I need readjustments. She also gets me in quickly if I have any problems or emergencies with them. She’s also one of those people that you can tell are actually listening to what you’re telling them and thoroughly answers all your questions. Her office carries multiple brands and types of hearing aids, depending on what your personal hearing needs are. She’s one audiologist that I completely trust with this.
As a hearing loss person. I am completely turned off hearing aid scans. Most advertising can be traced to a scam of some kind . I’m still looking for affordable hearing aids.. I can see through the scans in the very ad they’re pushing.. This industry is one of the most misleading of all.. Thank you for your information..
One bit of advice for veterans. Hearing aids and audiologist fees are covered under your VA benefits. If you never sought treatment for anything from the VA before, and need hearing aids, go to the nearest VA facility. I have a lot if friends who have taken advantage of these benefits recently and are glad they did.
You are right about Refunds after returning the hearing aids. Nano Hearing Aids is being advertised everywhere on TV. Hearing aids would not fit in my wife’s ear correctly. So, got an RMA number and sent them back. 4 weeks later I contacted the company about my refund. Was informed the hearing aids were damaged and will not get a refund. They were not damaged when they were shipped back through UPS. The photo they sent me to show the damage could not have been done during shipment. Went to the BBB website and found many complaints about the same thing and ne refund given back.
In switzerland I bought a Widex hearing aid it cost me the same cost of 14 Apple I Pad sheer rip off it died in two years.the aid is tiny and the electronics most likely do not cost more than a few dollars. I have just bought another Swiss one on the internet for less than one I pad and it seems as good if not better than the Widex. I understand resellers are upset that their fountain of cash will run dry now that the public will resent being Conned. Peter Pigott Mount Wilson Australia
Unfortunately many of the audiologist offices are scamming us also. We were quoted multiple times the price of the hearing aids quoted elsewhere with the same – or better – audiology services. We’re still looking around because we could lose as much as $8000 extra by going with the local audiologist – for an inferior product. They can turn buying a hearing aid into buying a new car…
I bought a hearing amplifier from one of the online companies. It works like they said and .i can now watch TV with my family with volume at a normal level. i don’t have the extra $1500 in addition to my insurance for “professional hearing aids”. I do have a box with about $6000 worth of outdated hearing aids that my husband wouldn’t wear.
So it sounds to me like you are saying all OTC hearing aids are scams because they are much cheaper and are inferior to prescription hearing aids. Unfortunately many seniors like myself who need them can’t afford prescription hearing aids because insurance does not cover them. I just got through spending $300 on Audien Atom Pro 2 hearing aids which hasn’t shipped yet. I’ll have 45 days to try them out.
Can you please expand your list of recommended providers to other parts of the world. I’m in Australia and have found out this week I need a hearing aid after deterioration in my hearing post head injury in 2009. Would be great to find advice on a provider close to me too. Thank-you for posting other information regarding hearing aids. I am learning so much
On the other hand……. I bought Rx $5,000 Siemens hearing aids from an eye Dr. I had been unable to hear high pitched sounds, and especially consonants of others speaking to me. She tuned them in to increase the sounds of consonants. It was disappointing that it barely helped. After a decade of that and some retunings, I found myself not even using the aids much at all. When I saw the cheap aids, I thought it was worth a try, and bought the $99 Atoms. Wow! The amplifier worked, and FAR better than the expensive Rx ones. I can now actually hear consonants plainly! So, Optical Drs, say what you will, but I won’t be listening to you
I wear Unitron hearing aids. I got them from an audiology company where they gave me all the tests and recommended them. Their price ranged from AU$4000 to AU$11000 per pair depending on the features you wanted. The base models were exactly the same unit as the top of the range model, the top model just having features activated that the lower models didn’t have using software. You really can’t tell me it costs AU$7000 to activate features by software. It’s not a scam, but a ripoff. Respectable audiologist companies could easily knock thousands off their prices because: 1. They’d still make huge profits even at the lower prices, and 2. They know people are prepared to pay such huge prices because they think that huge price means they are getting something special, whereas they are just units that cost $100 or so to manufacture and the software makes the difference.
Phonak and other extremely pricey hearing aids are also made in China. Many in the same factory as the cheap hearing aids. The cheap hearing aids are also not just “amplifiers”. They have the same chips and smart technology. The relevance of high priced Audiologists pushing overpriced products is coming to an end. Phonak has been producing hearing aids in their manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China since 2003.
I actually know what I want in a hearing aid, I just can’t find it. 1: Controlled by phone app, not me trying to touch buttons while it’s on my ear (causing feedback while finding the secret button 2: Hearing aids in real life, but also can also be used BT to phone during call 3: Enhanced voices and NOTHING ELSE 4: rechargeable with a battery that last a day 5. Ability to read reviews on the App before buying the phone (app must be on android or apple store) Optional: – listen to music from phone – Behind the ear instead of stuck in the ear – recharges in a case that attaches to power with standard USB – Hearing evaluation program – ability to connect bluetooth to TV My hearing aid from an audiologist enhances all kind of noise that interfere with me hearing someone talk
All hearing aids are a scam. They have the audacity to call themselves “Doctor”. Dr. Con-Man. Amplification is really all we need. All the fancy compression, noise suppression, voice isolation, etc etc is layered-on overkill. Oh, and Oticon using “AI” is just a gimmick. Amplify the sound, leave it alone. Understand — It’s a safety issue!! We need to hear all sound at all times. We just want to hear what people with normal hearing hear!
I am a backer for linker Nova through Indiegogo. Waiting for the product. Those first 400 backers more than 50 percent are not happy. Can you please do some research and do a article on them. Their customer service is so pathetic they keep delaying the shipments and not answering for refund requests. Thank you.
I would be completely lost without hearing aids. I have profound loss in both ears. If you are a senior with Medicare, you now have a wonderful hearing benefit of 2500.00 thanks to Bidenomics, and i have used it and am taking part in my world. Being deaf is isolating. People do not have much patience with those who can’t hear.
The FREE HEARING TEST SCAM: You visit an audiologist for a free hearing test. The audiologist gives you a hearing test, but also goes ahead reprograms the hearing aids. Next you are walked to the front desk and told to pay $200. You ask, “why? I thought the hearing test was free.” The audiologist says, “Yes, but I reprogrammed your hearing aids and that cost $200. STICK TO YOUR GUNS by insisting that the hearing test was free and that you never agreed to pay for reprograming. The audiologist now has to let you walk out no charge.
i got a $6,500 pair of Starkey hearing aids from Lisingston Hearing Aid center in El Paso, Tx in early 2022, I was told that even though I was relocating to Europe I would be able to get updates, and adjustents from local distribuitors, or at the Livingston location remotely. The devices which were suppose to be the latest technology AI assisted devices, only amplified all sounds and noises, and did not help my hearing at all. Nothing they told me was true. They were not able to provide me with adjustments, remotely, nor were there any distribuitors in my location in Portugal. Scams abound folks. Buyer beward. I feel like a big fool.
I’m really tired of being laughed at by this question but it is a genuine question: can any hearing aids made nowadays be made WITHOUT the bluetooth function ? It’s utterly exhausting to wear bluetooth all day around my brain just to participate in the world. I miss the analog hearing aids that gave me zero headaches. This is my chief complaint.
I would assume the DSP used in hearing aids are not made by the hearing aid vendor but rather IC from big IC shops. So why would I not expect a low cost hearing aid to have an equalizer with decent performance, after all it is only Software. Likewise, 3d printing technology used in the profesional industry now have resolution to allow printing of hearing aid cases. So why the crazy high prices?
It’s shame when you go to an ENT Dr and they sell you the highest price hearing aids because your insurance will cover most of it. That being said, The high priced hearing aids started acting up.( they had a 3 year warrantee.)At 2 1/2 years they developed a problem. I tried to get them fixed 3 different times. I was told It must be me and would not touch them until I came in for additional charges. It was obvious they didn’t want to fix them as the warrantee ran out in 6 months. I wish I had found this website prior to this encounter.
Hello doctor Cliff…. I had brought a pair of Oticon hearing aids for my 3 and half year old kid in March 2021. They have issued me a kit of White box and am not sure if it’s a genuine kit as am not able to find them on google. How do I confirm it? Can you please help me out on this as the audiologist and sales person say its genuine whereas few of them said its not.
I have not been impressed with ANY brand or model of hearing aid I’ve had in my ears. And I have demo’d all Premium Models. They all sound about the same. The hearing aids alter the sound entering the ear in an unnatural way … not compensating for the hear loss itself, but artificially boosting frequencies in an attempt to boost the human voice frequencies. The problem with that is that in a crowded room with many humans producing human voice frequencies, ALL of those voices are being boosted … even with the focused mic settings. Noises that you may not really hear in the first place, like clanging dishes and dinner ware (in a restaurant) are now boosted making hearing a human voice even more difficult that without the hearing aids. If you depend on the accuracy of what enters your ears such as with a musician, live sound engineer, or a recording engineer, you’d be better off not having any such device in your ear. So, I think that before I had any measurable hearing loss, I had difficulty hearing someone speaking in a noisy, crowded room … no hearing aid is going to fix that. That was my primary complaint in the first place. If you need accuracy of sound, you are not going to get that either, ESPECIALLY, when all you have to tailor the sound is a 3 band EQ? Really?? As far as SCAMs are concerned, my Audiologist, in an ENT Clinic sells their premium hearing aids for THOUSANDS of dollars more than my local Costco or Independent Hearing Center, which is also overpriced. All of that is so discouraging, I think that just giving up all together on the purchase is the best choice.
The real scam is that the technology is very and always unpredictable no matter the brand or price level. Don’t count on any of them working the same way hour after hour day after day. From one moment to another. Every day is a new day of disappointment and frustration. I’m actually glad that Bluetooth died. He can’t come up with new ways to ruin my life.
But isn’t also true that since technology is getting cheaper manufacturers are also able to build better devices with higher technology and pass these saving to consumers…specially with IOT everything from smart homes to simple mp3 car audio, cell phones, most people worldwide are getting the benefits of these technologies at a reasonable prices…say for example..(by the way I live in Ecuador now) here in this country everybody has access to a smartphone.. a good smartphone for about 130 bucks…so thechnology is cheap now…i believe some of these device are being sold as PREMIUM devices when they are just advance technology…So the scam does not always come from these companies that are selleing lower level technology, but come from companies selling these so call high level technology…I believe the best measure of technology is to look at the DATA SHEET of these devices and to actually see the components used that justify the higher price..such as cpus memory circuitry etc…keep up the good work…
So, you slam journalists? Listening to your script, you could use some training in the English language. Freelancers are not bad people, and if we waited for “experts” to write artilces, we would wait forever. The role of a good writer is to tell a story for their client. They are not bad people as you portray us who write to be. Frankly, you whine so loudly it sounds like you are not dealing well with competition.