Guest Author - Kelli Deister

Currently, there are many types of hearing aids available to consumers. There are the simple behind-the-ear aids and the delicate tiny in-the-ear aids. When doing research on the pricing of various hearing aids, I learned that prices can range anywhere from $400 to $4000. Those priced at $400 are used, while those priced at $4000 are the more advanced models. Comparative shopping for consumers can be both tricky and frightening. There are so many different models, each providing it’s own capabilities. One can almost become dizzy while trying to compare hearing aid prices, designs, and capabilities.

Keep in mind that while some individuals will only require one aid, others will require two. Each aid is priced individually, which can be quite expensive for the consumer. While some insurances do help to pay the cost of the hearing aids, others do not. This leaves the entire burden of the cost of the hearing aid on the individual in need of it. Quite honestly, you can oftentimes find a used car for much less than the cost of a new hearing aid. Those insurance companies that help to cover the cost of hearing aids, only allow for one hearing aid per ear, per so many years. For my insurance, it is one hearing aid every five years. It is important to know that most hearing aids will begin to require repairs somewhere in the third year of use. This is due to the elements of the environment, wax in the ear canal, and daily wear and tear. There are many factors involved in determining the life expectancy of a hearing aid. It is amazing to me that most insurances will cover the cost of new eyeglasses every two years, yet those in need of hearing aids must wait a longer length of time in between allowable aids.

Many that require the use of hearing aids are on a fixed income, such as senior citizens and the disabled. Another set of consumers, with their own special needs, are children. Seniors are often forced to live on a very tight budget, due to the cost of their medications, which many must pay out of their own pocket. This leaves them with little or no money for even the essentials of daily living. Those that are disabled are on a very limited budget as well, and face the same challenges as seniors do. The children are a set of consumers, which are distinctly set apart by all others. This is because they are rougher on their hearing aids. I knew a little boy once that loaned out his hearing aid, to other children, in order to make money. His hearing aid had been in many ears. Other children grow weary of the feel of the hearing aid, so they take it out and place it in their backpack, or somewhere close by. They also frequently drop their hearing aid while trying to adjust for better sound. This creates a higher degree of wear and tear, which means a higher frequency of replacement aids, or more extensive repair costs. All of this can burden the family budget, leaving the parents searching for more income.

I urge those in the health care industry to consider lowering the cost of hearing aids. Those that are low-income should not be forced to settle for a lesser quality aid, simply because their budget doesn’t allow for the higher functioning aid. I would also like to urge those in the health insurance field to consider revising your policies, in order to allow for your consumers to acquire newer models more than just every five years.